Because they spend the majority of their time on freeways and covering fixed routes, semis are seen by many as a prime target for automation. The fact that the industry faces a shortage of 50,000 drivers also makes autonomous technology very attractive to those in logistics and distribution.
So far, a number of startups and established automakers and technology companies have thrown their hats into the collective ring to be the first to perfect the automation process. Uber, after settling a lengthy legal battle with Waymo/Google, shuttered its autonomous semi business unit, Otto, last week. This move left the door open for a new entry.
Kodiak Robotics, a startup with $40 million in financing, feels it’s ready to join the fight. And while the competition is fierce, many believe Kodiak is worth watching. That’s because it’s co-founded by Don Burnette.
Burnette also cofounded Otto, which was acquired by Uber in 2016. This fact was the cause of the aforementioned legal battle as Burnette was also a former Google/Waymo employee who was accused of stealing trade secrets. Burnette was no longer needed at Uber because it is going to focus solely on autonomous cars, not semis.
The focus for Kodiak will be leveraging the advances in new sensor technology. In particular, companies now have a greater range of options for partnering with LIDAR developers – the core system associated with autonomous applications that can range from automobiles to distribution center robots. Over the last three years, the number of suppliers has ballooned to include dozens of companies.
The company anticipates a modular type of offering that simplifies the sales and integration processes for business and fleet managers.
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