ALVEST Launches TLD Robotics Following EasyMile Acquisition

TLD Robotics combines EasyMile, TractEasy, and TLD’s autonomous vehicle activities into a single business focused on autonomous ground operations for airports and industrial sites.

ALVEST has launched TLD Robotics, a new business that brings together EasyMile, TractEasy, and TLD’s existing driverless vehicle activities under a single organization.

The announcement follows ALVEST’s acquisition of autonomous technology provider EasyMile and was made during GSE Expo Europe.

TLD Robotics will develop and support autonomous vehicles and related software for airports, logistics facilities, and industrial operations. The company combines autonomous driving software, vehicle manufacturing, fleet supervision, deployment services, and customer support.

Richard Reno will serve as CEO of TLD Robotics.

According to the company, the new organization builds on nearly a decade of collaboration between TLD and EasyMile and incorporates deployments previously commercialized through the TractEasy joint venture.

TLD Robotics said its technology is currently used in more than 35 operations across more than 10 countries, including more than 15 airports and 20 industrial locations. The company said its autonomous systems have completed more than 50,000 missions.

Customers cited by the company include dnata, BMW Group Dingolfing, Daimler Truck, Bosch, John Deere, Lufthansa Cargo, Munich Airport, and Narita Airport.

The company said some deployments now operate around the clock and that its autonomous fleet has been tripling annually.

Combining Vehicles and Autonomous Software

A central element of the new structure is the integration of autonomous vehicle software with TLD’s manufacturing and service capabilities.

TLD Robotics will provide onboard autonomy software, fleet supervision and operations-management software, purpose-built vehicle platforms, and associated deployment and support services.

The company also gains access to TLD’s manufacturing base, which includes 12 factories in seven countries.

The combined organization is intended to give customers a single supplier responsible for the vehicle, autonomy system, fleet management layer, deployment, and ongoing service.

“Since creating TractEasy three years ago, we have scaled tenfold,” Reno said in the announcement. “With TLD Robotics bringing the same vehicles, teams and proven deployment record under one name, backed by a strong industrial base, we now have the platform and ambition to scale another 10x over the coming years.”

Focus on Airports and Industrial Operations

TLD Robotics is targeting environments where vehicles typically operate along repetitive and relatively structured routes, including baggage handling, cargo movement, and industrial material transport.

Airports have been an important development market for autonomous ground-support equipment because many vehicle movements occur within defined operating areas and involve repetitive transportation tasks.

Industrial sites present similar opportunities for automating material movement between production, storage, and logistics locations.

The company said customers are increasingly moving beyond autonomous vehicle trials and looking for systems that can be integrated into ongoing operations.

ALVEST President and CEO Valentin Schmitt said labor availability, safety, operating costs, and decarbonization are among the factors driving interest in automation.

“Our customers are not buying a pilot; they are investing in decades of operations,” Schmitt said.

TLD Robotics will assume business engagements and deployments previously associated with the TractEasy name.

The launch represents another step in the commercialization of autonomous material-movement systems as suppliers move from individual vehicle deployments toward integrated fleets combining vehicles, autonomous-driving software, fleet management, and operational support.