NavTrac

NavTrac operates as a technology firm specializing in AI-powered yard management systems (YMS) for the logistics and supply chain sector. The company was founded by John Daniels, Mihail Pivtoraiko, and Siddharth Sanan, though the exact founding year is cited as 2014, 2017, and 2019 across different sources. In September 2023, NavTrac was acquired by Loadsmart, a freight technology and transportation service provider, to expand its AI technology solutions into yards, docks, and terminals.

The founders' backgrounds are rooted in transportation analysis and advanced robotics. John Daniels, the CEO, previously worked as a research analyst covering the transportation sector, where he gained experience using satellite and drone technology to collect data. This experience directly informs the company's approach to data automation in logistics. Mihail Pivtoraiko, the CTO, holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and has a background in high-performance machine vision, with previous work at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Lockheed Martin.

NavTrac's core business revolves around automating and digitizing yard operations for clients such as warehouses, distribution centers, drayage companies, and port terminals. The company's business model is centered on its proprietary software that enhances operational efficiency and data accuracy. Its flagship product, the SmartGate System, uses computer vision, machine learning, and optical character recognition (OCR) to automate the check-in and check-out process for trucks and containers. Cameras capture live video, from which the system automatically extracts details like license plates and container numbers, documents the equipment, and detects damages. This automated data collection provides real-time inventory reporting and irrefutable evidence for claims, reducing manual checks and operational delays. The technology integrates with existing warehouse management systems (WMS) to streamline communication and workflows. Additionally, the system supports compliance with regulations like California's Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR) by automatically tracking emissions data.

By providing a digital image of every asset, NavTrac's system aims to improve yard visibility, optimize trailer movement, and reduce costs associated with gate guards and manual yard checks. The platform serves a range of business sizes, from self-employed operators to midsize businesses, within sectors like building materials, farming, and plastics, among others. This technology addresses the historically analog nature of the global supply chain, offering a solution to the industry's complex and fragmented infrastructure.

Keywords: yard management system, computer vision, logistics technology, supply chain automation, automated gate system, optical character recognition, asset tracking, container yard management, dock management, freight technology, real-time inventory, damage detection, warehouse automation, drayage technology, port terminal logistics, driver check-in, Indirect Source Rule compliance, loadsmart, transportation data, machine learning logistics