Ryder System, Inc. and Kodiak Robotics, Inc., two frontrunners in transportation and autonomous trucking, recently unveiled their first collaborative venture: a truckport in Houston designed for autonomous trucks. This facility, situated at an existing Ryder fleet maintenance location, marks a significant step in deploying driverless trucks for routes between Houston, Dallas, and Oklahoma City.
The inauguration of this truckport in December not only enables the launch and landing of Kodiak’s autonomous trucks but also facilitates the transfer of freight, underscoring the strategic positioning of the Houston site. While this initiative currently focuses on the Houston facility, there is potential to expand, using Ryder’s vast service network to support additional truckports and provide essential on-site technician and maintenance services.
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Karen Jones, Ryder’s EVP, CMO, and head of new product development, highlights the company’s aim to develop a range of services supporting the deployment and maintenance of autonomous trucks. “Our collaboration with industry leaders like Kodiak advances our shared goal of facilitating autonomous technology commercialization,” says Jones.
Kodiak’s trucks currently operate with safety drivers on routes including Houston to Dallas and Houston to Oklahoma City. The company anticipates introducing its first driverless operations on the Dallas-Houston route later this year, utilizing the Ryder facility as a launch point.
Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, emphasizes the importance of partnering with Ryder, citing its “industry-leading fleet services and extensive network of service locations.” This partnership is crucial as Kodiak scales its autonomous truck operations. “The Houston location is a vital component of our driverless operations plan,” Burnette adds, noting that leveraging existing infrastructure allows Kodiak to focus more on deploying and scaling driverless truck operations.
About Ryder System, Inc.: A leading logistics and transportation company, Ryder System, Inc. provides a wide array of services, including supply chain, transportation, and fleet management solutions. With a significant presence in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Ryder manages a substantial fleet of commercial vehicles and operates numerous warehouses, known for its industry-leading practices and diverse workforce.
About Kodiak Robotics, Inc.: Since its inception in 2018, Kodiak Robotics, Inc. has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation, committed to enhancing safety and efficiency in the freight industry. The company’s innovative technology is tailored for long-haul trucks, delivering freight daily across the South and working on autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
