AI-Powered Logistics is reshaping how freight moves. As a result, companies that embrace it are working smarter, not harder. At the forefront of this shift is Gophr App, Inc. (Gophr), a platform designed to bring efficiency, transparency, and innovation to freight and transportation.
Recently, David Soileau, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of Gophr, joined the Fleet Connect podcast to share insights about the company’s journey, its technology-driven approach, and the future of logistics. His conversation revealed not just where Gophr is today, but how it’s positioned to redefine the way businesses move goods across North America and beyond.
Watch the Podcast Interview
From Marketplace Startup to AI-Powered Logistics Innovator
Gophr began in 2019 as a local marketplace for businesses to showcase inventory and offer same-day delivery. In essence, that concept was similar to platforms like Grubhub or Waiter.
oon after, company leaders pivoted when industrial players in Southwest Louisiana — including Cummins North America — asked for larger deliveries. They needed equipment and heavy parts transported, not just small packages.
Gophr responded by expanding into freight, adding trucks, trailers, and even 18-wheelers. What started as a regional marketplace soon became a national logistics network. Today, Gophr connects with more than 600,000 owner-operators and carriers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This transformation shaped Gophr’s mission: to combine technology and logistics expertise to make freight transportation more efficient, affordable, and transparent.
The Power of AI in Logistics
Logistics has always struggled with inefficiencies. Shippers often rely on phone calls, emails, and guesswork to choose the right vehicle. Gophr solves these problems by putting AI-powered logistics at the center of its platform.
Real-Time Pricing for AI-Powered Logistics
At the core of Gophr’s system is a pricing engine that considers 49 different variables. These include traffic, weather, time of day, and fuel costs across regions.
As a result, pricing is real-time and fair for both shippers and drivers. A bag of concrete may look similar in size to a pillow, but the algorithm knows the difference in weight and handling. Pricing reflects reality, not rough estimates.
AI-Driven Load Recognition
Through the Gophr app, shippers can snap a photo of their load. AI identifies the item, calculates weight and dimensions, and recommends the most efficient shipping option.
Additionally, this feature prevents costly mistakes. In one case, Gophr reduced a client’s cost from more than $700 to just over $100 by assigning the correct vehicle for the job.
GoPilot: Safety Meets Efficiency
Another innovation, GoPilot, uses AI to analyze photos of secured loads. It confirms whether tie-downs meet safety standards, offering peace of mind for shippers and accountability for drivers.
For more on how AI is transforming the industry, see this McKinsey report on AI in logistics.
A Marine’s Approach to Disruption
David Soileau brings a unique perspective to Gophr’s leadership. As a former Marine Corps sergeant, he understands discipline, mission focus, and adaptability.
Those traits shaped how Gophr scaled. In its early days, the company employed nearly 40 people to manage operations and software development. Today, thanks to automation and AI, a team of just five employees oversees what once required dozens, while thousands of drivers operate independently through the platform.
As David notes, “You can do a whole lot more with a lot less than you think. Resources are only as good as the grit you put behind them.”
Benefits of AI-Powered Logistics for Shippers and Drivers
Gophr’s model creates clear wins for both shippers and drivers.
For Shippers
- Lower Costs: Loads match the right vehicles, avoiding overspending.
- Transparency: Digital bills of lading and real-time tracking replace endless calls and emails.
- Efficiency: Deliveries finish in hours, not days, with guaranteed drop-off times.
For a step-by-step explanation, visit how Gophr’s AI-powered logistics platform works.
For Drivers
- Instant Pay: Drivers get paid immediately after delivery.
- Supportive Tools: The driver app provides navigation, communication, and delivery details.
- Flexibility: Drivers choose loads that fit their schedules, whether part-time or full-time.
This balance builds trust and loyalty on both sides of the marketplace. It’s one of the key drivers behind Gophr’s rapid growth.
Overcoming Logistics Challenges with AI
Even with success, Gophr faces familiar challenges.
Adoption is one. Many shippers rely on a go-to trucking contact they’ve used for years. Gophr must show them they can keep their trusted carriers while still gaining efficiency and transparency.
Recruitment versus demand is another. Driver sign-ups surged by 400–500 percent, but matching them with enough loads requires balance. Scaling means focusing on supply and demand every day.
Furthermore, education also plays a role. Logistics is resistant to change, and Gophr invests in showing customers how technology saves time and money.
Marketing the Future of Freight
Gophr’s growth strategy focuses on building awareness.
- Social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok campaigns build visibility.
- Connected TV advertising: Ads on Hulu and Netflix reach customers where they already spend time.
- Podcasts and media: Guest spots like the Fleet Connect interview introduce Gophr to industry professionals.
In addition, key partnerships also drive growth. One example is National Oilwell Varco (NOV), which invested in Gophr’s software and tested its services. These deals position Gophr as more than a tech startup — they make it a trusted logistics partner for global industrial leaders.
Looking Ahead: Scaling AI-Powered Logistics
Gophr has already expanded along the I-10 corridor from Lake Charles into Houston, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge. Next, the team is pursuing nationwide adoption, entering new industries and regions.
Company-wide, the vision covers a wide range of freight. From boats to construction equipment, and from paperclips to rocket ships, Gophr wants to handle anything that needs to move — efficiently, affordably, and safely.
Ultimately, the aim is not just disruption but redefinition. Gophr intends to prove that AI-powered logistics delivers accountability, cost savings, and speed to an industry long overdue for change.
FAQ: AI-Powered Logistics with Gophr
What is AI-powered logistics?
AI-powered logistics uses machine learning and automation to improve pricing, routing, tracking, and safety. It reduces guesswork and helps shippers and drivers work faster with fewer errors.
How does Gophr’s pricing work?
Gophr’s real-time pricing engine considers many variables such as traffic, weather, time of day, and fuel costs. The goal is to match the right vehicle to the job and keep pricing fair for both sides.
How fast can I get a quote and book a delivery?
You can get a quote instantly and book in minutes. The platform is built for speed, so you don’t need long phone or email threads to move a load.
Does Gophr replace my existing carriers?
No. Many shippers keep trusted carriers and still use Gophr for transparency, instant quotes, and tracking. It’s an upgrade in workflow, not a forced change in partners.
How does Gophr improve load safety?
Features like photo-based checks help verify securement and documentation. This adds accountability for drivers and confidence for shippers without slowing down operations.
What benefits do drivers get?
Drivers get instant pay after delivery, clear job details, and in-app communication. They also choose loads that fit their schedule.
Which industries and regions does Gophr serve?
Gophr supports a wide range of freight across North America, from local moves to longer hauls. Industrial parts, construction materials, and specialty equipment are common use cases.
Where can I learn how the platform works?
See the step-by-step overview on how Gophr’s AI-powered logistics platform works.
AI-Powered Logistics: A Smarter Future for Businesses
The story of Gophr is about more than trucks and freight. It’s about using technology to solve problems and making life easier for businesses and drivers alike.
With AI-powered logistics at the core, Gophr offers transparency, efficiency, and innovation to an industry that still depends too much on guesswork. That journey — from a local startup to a national player — shows what’s possible when grit, technology, and vision work together.
For businesses navigating supply chain challenges, Gophr offers more than a service. It offers a smarter way forward.
