Kodiak AI partners with Bosch to scale autonomous trucking hardware for mass production

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Kodiak AI announced a partnership with Bosch at CES 2026 to develop production-grade hardware that converts standard semi-trucks into self-driving vehicles. The collaboration addresses a critical bottleneck in autonomous trucking: scaling from pilot deployments to mass commercialization. Bosch will supply sensors, steering technologies, and actuation systems that can be integrated on factory lines or retrofitted by third parties.

Kodiak AI and Bosch forge partnership to scale hardware for self-driving trucks

Kodiak AI announced at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Bosch to develop and manufacture a universal autonomous truck platform

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. The collaboration targets a production-grade, redundant autonomous platform that integrates hardware, firmware, and software interfaces capable of converting standard semi-trucks from any manufacturer into vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities. This partnership represents a shift from pilot programs toward large-scale commercial deployment, addressing mounting pressure on self-driving technology developers to demonstrate viable business models after years of heavy investment with limited revenue

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Source: TechCrunch

Source: TechCrunch

Bosch supplies production-grade hardware and sensors for scalability

Bosch, the world's largest automotive supplier by revenue, will provide Kodiak AI with a range of automotive-grade components essential for autonomous trucking hardware

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. These components include sensors and vehicle actuation systems such as steering technologies that form the backbone of redundant systems for braking, steering, sensors, and computers

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. The modularity and serviceability of these systems allow installation either directly within vehicle production line integration or by third-party upfitters post-manufacture

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. Don Burnette, Kodiak founder and CEO, emphasized the strategic importance: "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"

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Source: Reuters

Source: Reuters

Real-world deployments demonstrate commercial viability

Kodiak AI has positioned itself among the few autonomous trucking companies operating vehicles without human safety drivers in commercial service. In January 2025, Kodiak's self-driving trucks began making driverless deliveries for Atlas Energy Solutions in the Permian Basin of West Texas and eastern New Mexico

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. The company has since delivered at least eight self-driving trucks to Atlas Energy Solutions as part of an initial 100-truck order, with Roush Industries serving as the upfitter for these vehicles

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. Kodiak went public approximately three months ago in September 2025 through a merger with special-purpose acquisition company Ares Acquisition Corporation II, providing expanded resources for commercialization

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Industry implications and future outlook for autonomous mobility

Paul Thomas, president of Bosch Mobility Americas and Bosch in North America, views this partnership as an opportunity to expand the company's footprint in the autonomous mobility ecosystem. "By supplying production-grade hardware, we are enabling the next generation of autonomous trucking alongside Kodiak," Thomas stated. "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"

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. The freight sector offers more predictable routes and clearer paths to profitability compared to other autonomous vehicle applications, making it an attractive focus for technology developers

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. However, neither Kodiak AI nor Bosch disclosed financial terms or specific timelines for when the AI-powered autonomous platform might enter full production or become widely available

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. A Kodiak Driver-powered autonomous truck will be displayed at CES 2026 in the Bosch booth from January 6-9

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