Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.
German Tier 1 supplier ZF is granting exclusive rights to sell its GRT (Group Rapid Transport) autonomous shuttle in the U.S. to Texas-based Oceaneering International.
The two companies have a 30-plus year history of collaboration on the design and development of transport shuttles through ZF subsidiary 2getthere.
Under the expanded partnership, Oceaneering will have sole U.S. rights to produce and market ZF’s third-generation GRT shuttle. Capable of Level 3 autonomous driving, the shuttle is designed for use solely in specialty transport lanes.
The partners are eyeing U.S. volumes in the neighborhood of four digits over the next several years. Targeted are enterprises, cities and other municipalities looking for advanced mobility solutions. The companies say they already have several potential business opportunities lined up with airports and theme parks in the U.S.
“This partnership is a logical and important step in the right direction towards our goal of a clean and safe mobility that is automated, comfortable and affordable, for everyone and everywhere,” says Alexander Makowski, senior vice president-Product Line Autonomous Mobility at ZF. “For shaping urban mobility of the future, autonomous shuttles are a key answer to reduce traffic, number of vehicles and emissions.”
More than 14 million passengers have been transported via the autonomous GRT over 62 million miles (100 million km) with uptime performance of 99%, ZF says. The third-gen GRT has been on the market since 2022.
