French autonomous vehicle manufacturer EasyMile was placed in receivership at the end of July, according to a document from the Toulouse commercial court consulted by AFP, which confirms information Echoes Thursday. Founded in 2014, the company manufactures driverless shuttles used for public passenger transport, baggage towing in airports and handling in factories.
EasyMile had reported a loss of €27 million in 2022, the last year for which results were published. Its turnover had then reached almost €11 million, almost €4 million less than in 2019. According to The Echoesmanagement indicated that it was developing a continuation plan with the support of existing shareholders. The company had raised funds several times, notably from the public bank Bpifrance in 2017 and 2018.
In 2022, the operator Transdev decided to end a trial of EasyMile’s autonomous shuttles for public transport in Eure, arguing that the conditions were not “brought together to allow the public to be welcomed in complete safety”. Which did not prevent EasyMile in October of the same year from signing a contract worth 4 million euros to operate autonomous shuttles for ten years in the Center Parcs holiday park in Terhills, Belgium. Contacted by AFP, the company EasyMile has not reacted at this stage.
