The partners have launched the initiative between the two routes of Dallas Fort-Worth and Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City
A CEVA vehicle powered by the autonomous driving technology of Kodiak Robotics. (Credit: Kodiak Robotics)
CEVA Logistics, a third-party logistics provider, has joined forces with self-driving trucking company Kodiak Robotics for carrying out autonomous freight deliveries in the US.
The partners have launched the initiative between two routes, Dallas Fort-Worth and Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City.
According to the parties, the partnership is an important step towards their long-term objective of integrating Kodiak Robotics’ technology into the logistics provider’s North American truck fleet.
CEVA Logistics president and North America managing director Shawn Stewart said: “CEVA is committed to working alongside leading automation and robotics suppliers – like Kodiak with its proven autonomy technologies – to unlock value for our customers’ supply chain operations.
“At CEVA, we define innovation as the implementation of new ideas with business impact, and our partnership with Kodiak will deliver more business value to our customers, especially in light of the current supply chain crisis and the ongoing driver shortage.”
CEVA is said to have delivered its first load with Kodiak Robotics in November 2021 and is transporting goods weekly on the freight lane between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.
Last month, the firms expanded their partnership by adding a new route between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City on the Interstate 35 corridor.
On both routes, an autonomous tractor from Kodiak Robotics pulls a CEVA trailer carrying consumer products.
Kodiak Robotics founder and CEO Don Burnette said: “CEVA is at the forefront of global logistics innovation and has recognized early on that the trucking industry will see the first widespread adoption of self-driving technology.
“Kodiak and CEVA are focused on serving Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and Oklahoma City, because they cover some of the richest freight corridors in the U.S. As Americans grapple with pandemic-related supply-chain issues and the long-term truck driver shortage, CEVA is leading the industry in adopting new technology that will benefit its customers.”
Last November, Kodiak Robotics raised $125m in a Series B fundraising round for its self-driving technology called Kodiak Driver.