BrightDrop, a subsidiary of General Motors Co. in Detroit, is acquiring fleet optimization software from Marain Inc., a technology startup in California, to help fleet owners lower operational costs with integration of predictive analytics, simulation, and AI-based optimization technology.
BrightDrop will integrate Marain’s AI-powered fleet optimization software into its ecosystem of last-mile solutions to analyze, forecast, and identify multi-modal options for fleet customers as they transition to full electrification.
“We’re bringing entirely new ways of doing business to the delivery market by providing a holistic, one-stop-shop portfolio of first- to last-mile solutions that allow fleet customers to do their jobs more efficiently while helping alleviate strain on the workforce, and the environment,” says Rachad Youssef, chief product officer of BrightDrop.
“Part of that includes building a software platform that leverages data and simulation to demonstrate how new technologies can work for them. This integration will take our software capabilities to new heights, while continuing to deliver as promised for our customers.”
Nearly a year-and-a-half after launch, and close to delivering its first commercial electric vehicles to FedEx, BrightDrop will integrate this technology into its software solution as customers adopt new technologies like the BrightDrop Zevo and Trace e-carts to capture a share of the $250 billion last-mile delivery market.
Bringing in Marain’s software will allow BrightDrop to aid fleet customers to maximize uptime and improve efficiencies because there are challenges around operationalizing a complex delivery system that interprets data, predicts trends, and controls assets within fleets.
Combining advanced AI and machine learning technologies with data analytics and simulation tooling permits Marain’s fleet optimization software, obtained by BrightDrop, to mimic various environments and deliver better performance for customers 24/7.
This software enhancement will also help BrightDrop customers see what efficiencies are possible and how to adopt them, helping lower operational costs and strengthen profitability as they transition into an all-electric future.
“The opportunity to electrify the delivery sector is massive, and it will benefit significantly from sophisticated planning and operations software as fleets introduce multi-modal solutions,” says Damien Scott, CEO and co-founder of Marain. “BrightDrop is extremely well positioned to lead the transformation of first- to last-mile deliveries with its integrated vehicle, software, and services portfolio. We are delighted that Marain’s technology and expertise will uniquely add to BrightDrop’s software capabilities helping to decarbonize the last-mile at scale.”
