Verizon Business has struck a commercial agreement with Kodiak AI to provide connectivity and internet of things services for the autonomous trucking company’s driverless operations, as telecoms groups seek a larger role in data-heavy industrial applications.
The deal will see Verizon supply 5G and LTE telematics, alongside its ThingSpace IoT management platform, to support Kodiak’s autonomous “driver as a service” model in long-haul trucking, industrial transport, and defence. The companies said the technology would enable near real-time communication between trucks and remote command centres, as well as over-the-air software updates and fleet management.
Kodiak operates autonomous trucks using its AI-powered virtual driver, known as the Kodiak Driver. The system is designed to operate around the clock and can call on human support in specific, low-speed, or tightly defined scenarios through a feature the company calls Assisted Autonomy. That capability relies on remote driving technology supplied by Vay Technology.
Verizon said its network would allow Kodiak’s vehicles to transmit large volumes of camera and sensor data with low latency, including in remote areas, enabling human operators to intervene when required. The arrangement also provides Kodiak with custom data plans tailored to the intensive connectivity demands of autonomous vehicle operations.
Don Burnette, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak AI, said the company’s business model depended on highly reliable communications to manage data and maintain safety across its fleet. He described the system as “physical AI” enabling continuous, driverless operations, with Verizon’s connectivity forming the backbone of its scaling strategy.
Daniel Lawson, Senior Vice President for Global Solutions at Verizon Business, said the partnership highlighted how advances in artificial intelligence were increasing demand for robust connectivity in transport and logistics. He added that Verizon’s IoT platforms were now supporting connected vehicle operations “of every size and scale”.
The companies said the collaboration would allow Kodiak to expand day-and-night hauling for industrial customers and long-haul freight services with trucking partners, as autonomous technology moves closer to wider commercial adoption.
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