Kodiak Robotics and IKEA Supply are preparing to launch fully driverless freight operations in Texas later this year, building on a four-year autonomous trucking partnership between the companies.
IKEA will become Kodiak’s launch customer for driverless freight operations, with trucks operating without a human safety driver in the cab.
The companies have spent the past four years testing autonomous freight operations in Texas.
The company says the forthcoming deployment is intended to become the foundation for wider driverless freight operations rather than a one-off demonstration.
The company says its work with IKEA has helped it move from autonomous vehicle testing toward an operational driverless freight service.