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Autonomous truck startup Kodiak to go public

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Autonomous trucking startup Kodiak Robotics is to go public through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II, a special purpose acquisition company affiliated with Ares Management Corporation.

The deal will make Kodiak a publicly listed company under the name Kodiak AI, with shares expected to trade under the ticker symbols KDK and KDK WS, pending regulatory approval.

Founded in 2018 by autonomy pioneer Don Burnette, Kodiak has emerged as a leading player in driverless trucking, developing an AI-powered automated driving system known as the Kodiak Driver. [Read more…] about Autonomous truck startup Kodiak to go public

Automated electric truck points to the future of smart port logistics

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The integration of automated electric driving and hands-free charging systems took a major step forward this week, with a live demonstration at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II, located at the Port of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

The event, part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020-backed MAGPIE project, showcased how automation is poised to enhance efficiency, cut emissions, and future-proof port logistics.

The demonstration featured a heavy-duty electric truck autonomously connecting to a robotic charging system – a seamless operation designed to reduce downtime, optimize energy use, and boost the overall productivity of port infrastructure. [Read more…] about Automated electric truck points to the future of smart port logistics

Kodiak partners with Atlas Energy to deliver 100 autonomous ‘RoboTruck’ loads

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Kodiak Robotics, an autonomous truck developer, and Atlas Energy Solutions say that Atlas has completed the delivery of 100 loads of proppant (a sand-like material used to keep fractures open in oil and gas wells) with its two RoboTrucks, semi-trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s self-driving system.

This milestone marks the first time ever that a customer has taken ownership of a RoboTruck and launched driverless commercial semi-trucking operations.

The initial driverless operations, which were announced in July 2024, involved Kodiak delivering Atlas’s frac sand along a 21-mile off-road route in West Texas’s Permian Basin with Kodiak-owned driverless trucks. [Read more…] about Kodiak partners with Atlas Energy to deliver 100 autonomous ‘RoboTruck’ loads

Self-Driving Trucks Liability: Insights from a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

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The transportation sector has seen significant changes since self-driving trucks entered service. Autonomous vehicles use AI and advanced systems including LiDAR and machine learning technologies to deliver better safety outcomes and improve transportation efficiency.

Yet this innovation poses unique legal issues, especially regarding personal injury law cases involving autonomous trucks involved in accidents – when this occurs it becomes an intricate puzzle of assigning liability between multiple parties involved, cutting-edge technology involved and many different companies involved.

This blog explores this in more depth while discussing why legal representation by Houston truck accident lawyer is crucial in helping victims navigate these legal complexities successfully. [Read more…] about Self-Driving Trucks Liability: Insights from a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck loading and unloading robot maker Slip Robotics raises $28 million financing

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Slip Robotics, a startup providing automated truck-loading robots-as-a-service, has raised a $28 million Series B financing led by DCVC, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm specializing in deep tech.

The investment reflects Slip’s rapid growth with industry-leading customers – including John Deere, GE Appliances, Valeo, and Nissan – who are using SlipBots to load and unload any truck in just 5 minutes.

Slip Robotics is tackling one of the supply chain’s universal inefficiencies: truck loading and unloading. For over 100 years, truck trailers have been loaded and unloaded using the same basic methods. [Read more…] about Truck loading and unloading robot maker Slip Robotics raises $28 million financing

Volvo Group and Daimler Truck to jointly develop software-defined vehicle platform

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Volvo Group and Daimler Truck are planning to create a joint venture to develop a common software-defined vehicle platform and dedicated truck operating system, providing the basis for future software-defined commercial vehicles.

The two leading companies in the commercial vehicle industry have now signed a binding agreement to establish the joint venture and are working towards setting up the company that will be headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The software-defined vehicle platform will enable Volvo Group and Daimler Truck and potential other future customers of the joint venture to provide stand-alone digital vehicle functions for their products. [Read more…] about Volvo Group and Daimler Truck to jointly develop software-defined vehicle platform

How to Determine What Lift Kit is Perfect for Your Truck

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Upgrading your truck with the right lift kit can enhance both its performance and appearance. However, choosing the perfect lift kit requires careful consideration of your specific needs and your truck’s capabilities.

This guide will help you determine which lift kit is ideal for your vehicle by focusing on two main factors: identifying your driving needs and considering your truck model. [Read more…] about How to Determine What Lift Kit is Perfect for Your Truck

Seegrid closes $50 million funding round as market adoption of its autonomous lift truck ‘exceeds expectations’

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Seegrid Corporation, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for pallet material handling, has successfully closed its $50 million Series D investment round, funded by its existing lead investors Giant Eagle Incorporated and G2 Venture Partners, as well as smaller investments from other existing shareholders.

Seegrid says the new investment allows the company to accelerate its autonomous lift truck market initiatives, which are “currently generating more growth than expected”.

Joe Pajer, Seegrid’s CEO and president, says: “We are thrilled to have secured this additional funding from our investors. It enables us to drive our innovative AMR technology and solutions into the market faster, delivering even more value to our customers sooner.

[Read more…] about Seegrid closes $50 million funding round as market adoption of its autonomous lift truck ‘exceeds expectations’

Uber Freight and Aurora Innovation providing early access to autonomous trucking

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Uber Freight and Aurora Innovation are launching “Premier Autonomy”, a new program providing early access to its network of over 1 billion of Aurora’s driverless miles to Uber Freight carriers through 2030.

The program is the latest in their longstanding partnership to integrate and deploy autonomous trucks on the Uber Freight network to enable carriers of all sizes to improve utilization and enhance business efficiency through autonomous technology.

Additionally, Uber Freight will be one of Aurora’s first customers on its Dallas-to-Houston freight route, with driverless hauls for shippers expected at the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Uber Freight and Aurora Innovation providing early access to autonomous trucking

What Role Does Technology Play When it Comes to Proving Truck Accident Cases?

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As trucks become more advanced and accident recording devices become standard equipment, understanding how to access and leverage technical evidence is critical to proving liability and securing fair compensation for victims.

Here is what you should know about how technology helps. [Read more…] about What Role Does Technology Play When it Comes to Proving Truck Accident Cases?