Mountain View, California — US-based autonomous vehicle technology company Cyngn (NASDAQ: CYN) has announced the commercial deployment of its DriveMod Tugger system with G&J Pepsi, the largest independent Pepsi bottler in the United States. The collaboration marks a major expansion of Cyngn’s autonomous technology into the consumer-packaged goods sector, highlighting its ambition to extend automation across a wider range of industries.
A Step Forward in Material Handling Automation
The deployment introduces Cyngn’s DriveMod autonomous vehicle platform into G&J Pepsi’s material handling operations. The DriveMod system retrofits existing industrial vehicles, equipping them with sensors, AI-driven navigation, and safety features to automate transport tasks. This move will enable G&J Pepsi to enhance productivity, safety, and operational efficiency across its warehousing network.
The companies said the collaboration would address ongoing labour shortages and help future-proof logistics operations within the beverage industry.
“Our partnership with Cyngn underscores our commitment to innovation and operational excellence,” said Jeff Erwin, VP, Manufacturing & Quality at G&J Pepsi. “We just completed a 77K sq foot warehouse expansion and by integrating DriveMod into our material handling processes, we’re not only addressing today’s labor challenges but also positioning our business to meet the growing demands of tomorrow. We see this collaboration as an important step in ensuring we continue to deliver for our customers with the highest levels of efficiency and reliability.”
Supporting Industry Innovation
Cyngn’s DriveMod system allows manufacturers and distributors to automate without replacing their entire vehicle fleets, reducing both cost and disruption. By integrating the technology into existing equipment, firms can transition to automation faster and with less operational downtime.
“Partnering with G&J Pepsi, a respected family-owned business with nearly a century of history, aligns with our goal to bring scalable, autonomous technology to leaders in essential industries,” said Lior Tal, Cyngn’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re excited to support G&J Pepsi’s vision for streamlined, technology-driven operations that will allow them to continue delivering high-quality products and customer service.”
G&J Pepsi’s Legacy and Expansion
Founded in 1925, G&J Pepsi operates as the largest independent Pepsi bottler in the United States, supplying customers across Ohio and Kentucky. The company manages a portfolio of more than 650 products and employs over 1,900 people. Its latest 77,000-square-foot warehouse expansion demonstrates its commitment to scaling operations through advanced technology.
PepsiCo products are distributed across more than 200 countries and territories through a mix of company-owned operations and partnerships with independent bottlers such as G&J Pepsi. The integration of autonomous solutions into this ecosystem signals the next phase of digital transformation within beverage logistics.
Enhancing Productivity and Future-Proofing Operations
The partnership focuses on deploying Cyngn’s DriveMod solutions to automate material handling tasks within G&J Pepsi’s facilities. The companies say the project will help optimise workflows, reduce manual workloads, and improve distribution capabilities across large-scale warehouses.
By leveraging Cyngn’s autonomous vehicle systems, G&J Pepsi aims to set a new standard for technology-driven efficiency in beverage distribution. The initiative is also expected to support sustainability goals by enhancing resource utilisation and minimising operational waste.
Broader Implications for Industrial Automation
The collaboration highlights the increasing commercial adoption of autonomous technologies across industrial sectors. With global supply chains facing labour shortages and rising costs, automation is becoming central to maintaining competitiveness and resilience.
For Cyngn, the partnership represents another milestone in expanding its customer base and demonstrating the adaptability of its DriveMod platform across various industries. For G&J Pepsi, it is a strategic investment that aligns with its long-term goal of maintaining reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction in an evolving market.
As implementation progresses, the deployment is expected to serve as a model for how automation can strengthen operational performance in large-scale distribution networks, marking a significant advancement in the integration of autonomous technology within the consumer goods industry.
