Kodiak Robotics and Bosch Collaborate to Advance Autonomous Trucking Technology
In a significant move to accelerate the adoption of autonomous trucking, Kodiak Robotics has partnered with global automotive supplier Bosch to develop a comprehensive hardware and software system that can transform standard semi-trucks into self-driving vehicles. This collaboration was unveiled at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, marking a pivotal step in Kodiak’s mission to scale its autonomous technology across the trucking industry.
Kodiak’s Journey in Autonomous Trucking
Kodiak Robotics has been at the forefront of autonomous trucking, focusing on applications in highway transportation, industrial logistics, and defense sectors. The company has engineered a self-driving system equipped with redundant mechanisms for braking, steering, sensors, and computing to ensure safety and reliability.
In January 2025, Kodiak commenced driverless deliveries for Atlas Energy Solutions in the Permian Basin, covering regions in West Texas and eastern New Mexico. This initiative led to the delivery of at least eight autonomous trucks to Atlas Energy, forming part of an initial 100-truck order. The upfitting of these trucks was managed by Roush Industries, highlighting Kodiak’s commitment to integrating its technology seamlessly into existing trucking operations.
Strategic Partnership with Bosch
The collaboration with Bosch aims to develop redundant platforms capable of converting semi-trucks from any manufacturer into autonomous vehicles. Bosch will supply essential hardware components, including sensors and vehicle actuation systems like steering technologies. These systems are designed for flexibility, allowing integration either during the vehicle’s production or through third-party upfitting at a later stage.
Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, emphasized the significance of this partnership:
We believe collaborating with Bosch will allow us to scale autonomous driving hardware with the modularity, serviceability, and system-level integration needed for commercial success for both upfit and factory-line integration.
Paul Thomas, President of Bosch in North America and the Bosch Mobility Americas division, highlighted the growth potential in the autonomous trucking sector:
By supplying production-grade hardware, we are enabling the next generation of autonomous trucking alongside Kodiak. Kodiak has already deployed trucks with no humans on board in commercial operation, and this cooperation gives us a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of real-world autonomous vehicle requirements and to further enhance our offerings for the broader autonomous mobility ecosystem.
Kodiak’s Path to Commercialization
In September 2025, Kodiak went public through a merger with special-purpose acquisition company Ares Acquisition Corporation II, signaling its readiness to scale its technology for widespread adoption. The partnership with Bosch is a strategic move to expedite this process, leveraging Bosch’s expertise in automotive hardware to enhance Kodiak’s autonomous systems.
While the collaboration is poised to accelerate the deployment of autonomous trucks, both companies have yet to announce a specific timeline for when these systems will enter production or become commercially available.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The partnership between Kodiak and Bosch represents a significant advancement in the autonomous trucking industry. By combining Kodiak’s innovative self-driving technology with Bosch’s robust hardware solutions, the collaboration aims to create scalable and adaptable autonomous systems suitable for a wide range of trucking applications.
As the industry continues to evolve, such collaborations are essential for addressing the complex challenges associated with autonomous vehicle deployment, including safety, regulatory compliance, and integration with existing logistics networks.
The success of this partnership could set a precedent for future collaborations between technology developers and traditional automotive suppliers, paving the way for broader acceptance and implementation of autonomous trucking solutions.
Conclusion
Kodiak Robotics’ partnership with Bosch marks a significant milestone in the journey toward autonomous trucking. By developing a system that can retrofit existing semi-trucks with self-driving capabilities, the collaboration has the potential to revolutionize the logistics industry, offering increased efficiency, safety, and scalability. As the partnership progresses, the industry will be watching closely to see how this collaboration shapes the future of autonomous freight transportation.
