Gatik, an autonomous truck startup, has secured a record $200 million in funding. This influx comes hot on the heels of their landmark deal with PepsiCo for self-driving box trucks to shuttle Cheetos and Doritos.

The new capital will propel Gatik from its current 350-strong workforce into a realm of potential that includes expanding into new markets or hiring more engineers, all while maintaining its focus on middle-mile deliveries. The tech has come a long way, capable of handling rain and snow without a safety driver behind the wheel.

“All the scale-up plans we have and the growth in mind for the next few years – these are the kind of financial partners that can help us,” said Gatik’s CEO Gautam Narang. The startup’s unique focus on short-haul deliveries has positioned it as a leader in this niche, with high-profile clients like Walmart, Loblaws, Kroger and Tyson Foods.

Gatik’s technology is now robust enough to operate commercially across several markets. Its fleet operates around the clock under various weather conditions and covers up to 400 miles on dynamic routes. The company has already reached $600 million in contracted revenue through its partnerships, with PepsiCo being a key player.

While Gatik’s success is impressive, Narang envisions even bigger horizons: “We see opportunities beyond North America.” Whether these dreams materialize remains to be seen, but for now, the future looks bright on the roads of Texas and Arizona at least.