Kodiak

When we started Kodiak, one of the most important conversations we had wasn't just about the technology we wanted to build, but the kind of company we wanted to become. We knew that a company’s culture doesn’t just shape how teams work together – it influences every decision and interaction, both internally and externally. Our collectively shared Kodiak values are the foundation of everything we do: Safety, Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork & Diversity, and Trust & Accountability are at the core of our everyday operations. These values aren’t just words on a wall – they are the framework that guides our team’s daily decision-making and long-term strategies. Building cutting-edge autonomous trucking technology is no small feat, but it’s our commitment to these values that ensures we do it the right way. Whether it’s prioritizing safety in every mile, fostering innovation that moves the entire industry forward, or upholding the highest standards of integrity, we believe that sticking to our principles is what sets us apart. We use these values to grow our team, continually evaluating how they resonate with our people and how they guide us as we break new ground. Just like the technology we build, our values will continue to evolve as Kodiak matures, but our dedication to them remains constant. A strong foundation isn’t just about great technology – it’s about the people behind it.

Bringing together some of the brightest minds in trucking, our Trucking Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) came together at Kodiak HQ for an in-depth exchange of ideas on the future of autonomous trucking. Industry leaders James Reed (Walmart), Chad Dittberner (Werner Enterprises), Anne Ferro (Former FMCSA Administrator), William Kruger (UPS), Shannon Newton (Arkansas Trucking Association), and Brett Suma (Loadsmith) dove into the details of our approach to autonomy, safety case, and navigating the regulatory landscape. Their guidance is invaluable as we work toward the safe and successful deployment of autonomous trucks. Thank you to our IAC members for sharing their expertise and helping us shape the future of freight!

John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering work in artificial intelligence—research that has profoundly shaped how machines process information. Hopfield’s associative memory model allows computers to store and reconstruct data, much like human memory, while Hinton’s breakthroughs in neural networks enable machines to identify elements within images. These advances are foundational to the AI powering Kodiak’s autonomous trucks, where AI and computer vision are critical to safely identifying and reacting to complex road environments. At Kodiak, we stand on the shoulders of these pioneers as we continue to refine and develop autonomous driving solutions that are transforming the future of transportation. #AI #AutonomousDriving #PhysicsNobelPrize #innovation https://lnkd.in/dyUfXAtg

Ever seen something totally out of place while driving—like a refrigerator on the side of a road? For humans, these situations are strange but recognizable. For self-driving trucks, recognizing and responding to unusual objects can be much trickier. That’s where Vision-Language Models (VLMs) come in. By combining visual data with language, VLMs allow the Kodiak Driver to "understand" what it’s seeing, helping us navigate even the most unexpected road hazards with precision and safety. Explore how VLMs are revolutionizing autonomous trucking - link in comments

The Kodiak Driver demonstrates its precision in this night-time highway scenario. As one of our autonomous trucks progresses efficiently down the road, it detects a slow-moving semi-truck 300 meters ahead. Over the course of 40 seconds, the Kodiak Driver monitors the vehicle’s speed and position before safely requesting and executing a lane change. Equipped with Kodiak Vision—an advanced system that integrates data from LiDAR, radar, and cameras—the Kodiak Driver can detect and track objects far beyond the visual range of human drivers. It’s in these seemingly simple, yet deeply complex moments that the Kodiak Driver’s ability to ensure both safety and efficiency is fully realized.

We're proud to continue our streak on the FreightWaves #FreightTech100 list! For the third year running, we’ve been recognized as a top freight technology disruptor. We’re honored by the support from industry leaders, experts, and peers who acknowledge our commitment to shaping the future of freight.

In Kodiak's latest blog, "LLMs Take the Wheel: How Generative AI Can Improve Autonomous Safety," they describe how the latest Vision-Language Models (VLMs) are enabling their self-driving trucks to navigate rare and unseen scenarios with human-like intelligence, making autonomous driving safer and more reliable. Shubham Shrivastava goes on to discuss the serious computing power required to operate VLMs in real-time, and how #Ambarella’s cutting-edge CV3-AD family of AI domain control SoCs deliver the advanced processing capabilities to bring VLMs to life. Together, we’re advancing autonomous driving with the latest generative AI technology! Read their blog, to learn more about Kodiak’s VLM implementation: https://lnkd.in/gnwXbRGY #AutonomousDriving #GenerativeAI #GenAI #LLM #VLM #AI #Automotive #AIenvisioned #KodiakRobotics

What's the strangest thing you've seen while driving? Maybe it was a mattress in the middle of the highway, or a giant inflatable animal on the shoulder. What makes those things so strange? They're out-of-place and hard to recognize. To react appropriately to unexpected objects using standard AI methods, a self-driving truck would require a large sample of similar images to exist in its training dataset. Thanks to Vision-Language Models (VLMs), our Kodiak Driver doesn’t just "see" unusual objects—it understands them in context. Whether it’s a mattress or environmental elements like fire and smoke, VLMs give our trucks the ability to make smarter, safer decisions in real-time. Learn more about how VLMs are making autonomous trucks safer: https://lnkd.in/gnwXbRGY #ai #autonomousvehicles #technology

Few issues are as important to autonomous vehicle safety than engagement with first responders. We are proud that Brett Fabbri, Kodiak’s Head of Law Enforcement Policy, has joined the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association’s (AVIA) newly formed Law Enforcement and First Responder Engagement Council. With over twenty years of service as an officer with the California Highway Patrol, including leadership in the Commercial Vehicle Program and autonomous vehicle technology, Brett brings unparalleled expertise to this council. His experience uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the autonomous vehicle industry, fostering the development of policies that ensure the safe integration of self-driving trucks on our roads. This council will serve as a platform for sharing insights, addressing concerns, and cultivating trust between the autonomous vehicle community and those dedicated to protecting our citizens. Brett’s leadership will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of this vital partnership. As we advance technology, we remain committed to a future where safety and innovation go hand in hand, ensuring that our communities are equipped for the changes ahead.

The wait is over. The new era of military autonomy is here. We're proud to integrate Textron Systems' RIPSAW® M3 with the Kodiak Driver. This breakthrough in autonomous defense technology is built to handle any mission, in any environment, with the precision and safety you expect from Kodiak. See how our collaboration with Textron Systems is redefining military operations. #DefenseTech #FutureOfDefense #AIDrivenDefense #DefenseInnovation