Draft:Kodiak AI
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Kodiak AI, Inc. (formerly Kodiak Robotics, Inc.) is an American technology company that develops autonomous driving systems for ground vehicles. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company's technology is utilized in commercial freight operations and United States national security initiatives.[1][2]
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| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: KDK | |
| Industry | Autonomous driving technology |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | Don Burnette |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Don Burnette (Founder and CEO) |
| Products | Kodiak Driver (Autonomous driving system) |
| Website | kodiak |
History
Kodiak was founded in 2018 by Don Burnette, who previously co-founded the self-driving trucking startup Otto.[3] In 2019, the company established an operations hub in Lancaster, Texas, and began operating autonomous trucks with safety drivers on routes in the southern United States.[4]
In 2025, Kodiak became a publicly traded company following a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC).[5] The company is listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol KDK.[6]
Commercial operations
Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology has been deployed in heavy-duty trucks used for freight transportation. In late 2024, the company delivered autonomous Class 8 trucks to Atlas Energy Solutions for driverless operations in the Permian Basin.[7] In December 2025, the company announced a partnership with Verizon Business to integrate 5G and IoT connectivity into its autonomous fleet to support real-time data monitoring.[8]
Government and defense work
Kodiak adapts its autonomous driving system for use in military ground vehicles. In 2022, the Defense Innovation Unit awarded Kodiak a $50 million contract to support the U.S. Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle program.[9] In February 2026, the United States Marine Corps awarded the company a development contract for autonomous ground vehicle integration.[10]
The company also collaborates with Textron Systems to integrate its technology into the RIPSAW M3 tracked vehicle platform.[11]
Technology
Kodiak’s autonomous driving system, known as the Kodiak Driver, integrates cameras, radar, and lidar sensors with proprietary software for perception, planning, and vehicle control.[12] The system utilizes modular hardware, including removable “SensorPods” mounted at or near the vehicle’s side mirror positions. These self-contained, pre-calibrated units house the sensors required for autonomous operation. [13]
The platform includes redundant systems for steering, braking, and power, and is designed to operate without high-definition maps, relying instead on real-time perception and onboard localization.[14]
Manufacturing and vehicle integration
Kodiak integrates its autonomous system into existing platforms through collaborations with third-party partners. In 2025, the company partnered with Roush Industries to establish a production line in Livonia, Michigan, for hardware upfitting.[15]
In January 2026, Kodiak entered into a strategic agreement with Bosch to scale the manufacturing of a production-grade autonomous platform.[16] Bosch supplies various hardware components, including sensors and steering technologies, to support the commercial deployment of driverless trucks.[17]