BMW i Ventures invests in self-driving truck company Kodiak Robotics

BMW i Ventures has invested in Kodiak Robotics, a US-based self-driving trucking technology developer led by former employees of Google, Uber and Lyft.

The financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Kodiak Robotics will use the proceeds to support the development of self-driving technology for long-haul trucks. The company will also use a portion of the funding to expand its workforce and fleet.

BMW i Ventures partner Kasper Sage said: “The Kodiak Driver is one of the most advanced technology stacks in autonomous trucking and has made tremendous strides towards driverless deployment.

“Industry observers believe self-driving trucks will be one of the first commercially viable applications of autonomous technology.

“We look forward to working with Kodiak in the coming years to put self-driving trucks on the road.”

Founded in 2018, Kodiak Robotics focuses on the development of autonomous trucks that can operate on highway routes.

The company delivers freight daily between Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, Texas, where the trucks operate autonomously on the highway portion of the route. Kodiak Robotics also conducts tests in California.

Kodiak CEO Don Burnette said: “We are thrilled to partner with BMW i Ventures to accelerate the commercialisation of Kodiak’s autonomous trucking technology.

“BMW i Ventures is one of the leading investors in automotive technology and will be a perfect strategic partner for Kodiak.”

US-based tyre manufacturer Bridgestone Americas recently made a minority investment in Kodiak Robotics.

The move will allow Kodiak to integrate Bridgestone’s smart-sensing tire technologies and fleet solutions into its Level Four autonomous trucks.

The companies will also pilot autonomous and smart tyre technologies with the aim of enhancing vehicle intelligence and moving towards a safer, more efficient and more sustainable mobility future.