Sign up for our weekly emails to stay up to date on the latest news!
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Bridgestone Americas, and Kodiak Robotics have successfully surpassed 50,000 autonomous long-haul trucking miles in their collaborative delivery effort. This milestone highlights the efficiency and safety of Kodiak’s autonomous delivery model, integrating J.B. Hunt’s 360box network and Bridgestone tires.
Key Highlights:
- Milestone: Over 50,000 autonomous trucking miles achieved.
- Route: South Carolina to Dallas using Kodiak autonomous trucks.
- Performance: 100% on-time pick-up and delivery, zero accidents.
- Technology: Kodiak’s autonomous driving tech with Bridgestone tires.
- Efficiency: Utilizes J.B. Hunt 360box to prevent empty miles.
The collaboration began in January, utilizing Kodiak’s hub-to-hub autonomous delivery model. The long-haul stretch from Atlanta to Dallas, approximately 750 miles, is driven autonomously using Bridgestone M719 drive tires and R213 steer tires. J.B. Hunt handles the transport to and from Bridgestone facilities and Kodiak hubs, leveraging its 14,000-plus trailer network to secure capacity for return trips, thereby improving route efficiency.
Nick Hobbs, Chief Operating Officer and President of Contract Services at J.B. Hunt, stated, “Working closely with Kodiak and Bridgestone, we delivered a solution that integrates autonomous technology with day-to-day operations while solving backhaul challenges. This collaboration exemplifies our mode-neutral approach in producing efficient, value-driven solutions unique to our customers’ needs.”
The collaboration’s structure provides a round-trip solution, minimizing empty miles for efficiency:
- J.B. Hunt transports the load from Bridgestone’s Aiken Passenger Tire plant in Graniteville, SC, to Kodiak’s Atlanta-area autonomous truckport.
- Kodiak’s autonomous trucks complete the long-haul from Atlanta to Lancaster, Texas.
- J.B. Hunt moves the load from Lancaster to Bridgestone’s Roanoke distribution center.
- On the return trip, J.B. Hunt uses its 360box program to find additional customers for live and drop freight needs, with Kodiak completing the autonomous delivery to Atlanta.
Brad Blizzard, Vice President, Logistics Operations and Product Delivery at Bridgestone, commented, “Bridgestone joined forces with Kodiak and J.B. Hunt to prove that autonomous long-haul shipping is not just a daydream; it’s happening right now. We are expanding our routes, growing this partnership, and investing in the future of mobility.”
Don Burnette, Founder & CEO of Kodiak, added, “Our ability to build an autonomous delivery program with J.B. Hunt and Bridgestone demonstrates the efficacy of our middle mile model and sets us on a course for rapid and sustainable growth.”
In June 2021, Bridgestone announced its investment in and partnership with Kodiak. This partnership includes the integration of smart-sensing tire technologies into Kodiak’s autonomous trucks, enhancing vehicle intelligence for safer and more efficient operations. Bridgestone remains Kodiak’s exclusive tire supplier.
Additionally, J.B. Hunt provides Bridgestone with pickup and delivery services across multiple customer locations nationwide.
About J.B. Hunt:
J.B. Hunt aims to create North America’s most efficient transportation network. Their solutions eliminate waste, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain visibility through a mode-neutral approach. Learn more at J.B. Hunt.
About Bridgestone Americas:
Bridgestone Americas, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, leads in tires and rubber, offering solutions for sustainable mobility. Learn more at Bridgestone.
About Kodiak Robotics:
Founded in 2018, Kodiak Robotics is a leader in autonomous ground transportation, developing AI-powered technology for driverless military and long-haul trucking applications. Learn more at Kodiak.
Sign up for our weekly emails to stay up to date on the latest news!
