Kodiak AI, Inc. has announced a new agreement with DTL Transport Inc. (DTL) to deploy Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s autonomous driving system, in a set of 75 driverless trucks both owned and operated by DTL.
This agreement marks the first-ever publicly announced agreement by an interstate trucking company to operate driverless trucks within their own fleet as part of a Driver-As-A-Service business (DAAS) model, with DTL set to pay a per-mile fee for its use of the Kodiak Driver system.
DTL will initially deploy its Kodiak Driver-equipped driverless trucks on a pair of routes previously used by the company for the conducting of various tests and trial operations – Interstate 10 between Dallas and El Paso, Texas, and Interstate 20 between Dallas and Atlanta.
Most crucially, these two routes will allow DTL to operate beyond current service hour limitations, with additional lanes set to be added over time.
Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak, said:This represents a major new chapter in the central role Physical AI now plays in strengthening the US supply chain.
This binding agreement reinforces what I have said from the beginning: The Driver-As-A-Service business model is tailor-made for commercial trucking. Kodiak is executing on that vision and we are thrilled to continue growing our relationship with DTL.
Kodiak has stated intentions to launch a driverless highway service by the end of 2026, and will begin by carrying IKEA goods on Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston.
