Gatik Appoints Prominent AI Leader Aleksandr Petiushko to Lead New AI Research Division

  • Press Releases
  • September 12, 2024
Gatik Appoints Prominent AI Leader Aleksandr Petiushko to Lead New AI Research Division

This significant hire underscores Gatik’s commitment to scaling its AI-driven autonomous solutions with a rigorous focus on safety

 

Mountain View, California, 12 September 2024 – Gatik, the market leader in autonomous middle mile logistics, today announced the appointment of Aleksandr Petiushko as head of the Gatik AI Research Group. Petiushko will lead Gatik’s ambitious research agenda to advance autonomous transportation technologies by addressing the industry’s most complex challenges through sophisticated AI research that seamlessly integrates robust academic methodologies with scalable industrial applications.

The Gatik AI Research Group is actively establishing partnerships with top-tier academic institutions, leading scientists, and research experts to drive forward innovations in AI, facilitating access to cutting-edge research and elite talent. The group’s research framework focuses on the entire autonomy stack, leveraging state-of-the-art AI methodologies that fuse academic rigor with industrial scalability. This broad strategy aims to enhance critical areas of the autonomy stack, focusing on improving system functionalities like predictive modeling, mapping accuracy, perception algorithms, and decision-making processes. By optimizing these components, the goal is to significantly boost the efficiency, safety, and reliability of autonomous systems in complex Operational Domains (ODDs).

Petiushko, formerly the Head of Machine Learning Research at Nuro, brings a deep and accomplished expertise in machine learning, expertly integrating innovative theoretical research with applied, real-world implementations. At Nuro, he played a pivotal role in advancing the state-of-the-art in autonomous vehicle technology by developing and deploying robust machine learning models and prototypes that prioritized safety, reliability, and efficiency. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor of ML and AI at Sofia University and lecturer at Lomonosov Moscow State University on the Theory of Deep Learning. He has contributed to numerous academic publications at top conferences and journals in the areas of artificial intelligence, computer science, and mathematics.

“I’m excited to welcome Aleksandr, one of the world’s leading talents in AI, as the head of our AI Research Group. Our primary aim is to set new standards for smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation. Aleksandr’s proven expertise in advancing AI for safety-critical applications is unparalleled. His work involves enhancing the accuracy and reliability of AI models unlocking the benefits of autonomous driving technology at scale” said Gautam Narang, CEO and co-founder of Gatik.

With this appointment, Gatik reaffirms its commitment to assembling a top-tier team of academic and industry specialists, driving forward the innovation in autonomous technology. This diverse team unites leading researchers and engineers whose pioneering work and expertise are pushing the boundaries of technological advancements in the autonomous vehicle industry.

About Gatik

Gatik AI Inc. develops AI-powered autonomous trucking solutions for regional logistics networks. The Gatik Driver™ is a scalable, interpretable AI system purpose-built to enable safe, consistent, and high-frequency freight movement. Proven in real-world driverless operations for Fortune 50 customers, Gatik’s technology enhances the reliability and cost efficiency of B2B supply chains at scale.

Founded in 2017, Gatik's driverless trucks are commercially deployed on public roads across multiple markets, including Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Nebraska, and Ontario. Supported by close collaborations with strategic partners - including Isuzu Motors Limited, NVIDIA, and Ryder - Gatik is advancing reliable and efficient freight operations at scale.

Gatik, the Gatik logo, and Gatik Driver are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gatik AI Inc. Isuzu and the Isuzu logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Isuzu Motors Limited. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

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Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Gatik’s business strategy, commercial deployment at scale, and anticipated technological performance. These statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially due to factors including, but not limited to: the safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology; shifts in the regulatory landscape for AI and autonomous vehicles; cybersecurity threats and data privacy compliance; global supply chain disruptions; and changes in market demand for middle-mile logistics. Gatik undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.