Verizon Business and Kodiak AI announced a deal to bring Verizon connectivity and Internet of Things data capabilities to Kodiak’s autonomous “driver-as-a-service” trucking solutions. 

Kodiak AI offers 24/7 autonomous driver as a service capability using its AI-powered virtual driver in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense applications

Verizon is providing 5G telematics and ThingSpace IoT management solutions to help enable Kodiak’s operating model and manage massive amounts of data generated from its driverless trucks.

How Verizon Enables Kodiak's Assisted Autonomy

The Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s AI-powered virtual driver, incorporates technology that allows a human to provide remote assistance to a vehicle in certain low-speed and clearly defined scenarios that benefit from human involvement. This “Assisted Autonomy” capability is enabled by Verizon partner Vay Technology, a provider of automotive-grade remote driving technology.

“It really helps us in bringing in a remote human operator for very short time spans that can actually help the truck answer some questions, like, ‘What dock should we deliver this load to today?’” explains Andreas Wendel, Kodiak chief technology officer, in a Verizon video.

“Being able to bring in that remote human operator is extremely powerful and enabling for the product. Having a low latency to see what's happening on the vehicle to actually influence anything that happens on the vehicle in terms of giving it assistance, has been really useful.”

Verizon connectivity enables Kodiak’s driverless vehicles to communicate with Assisted Autonomy drivers and to send mission-critical messages between vehicles and command centers, with minimal delay (low latency) over long distances in remote environments.

This collaboration leverages Verizon’s 5G and LTE networks, IoT telematics and ThingSpace management platform to provide the advanced data capabilities Kodiak needs. Use cases include:

• Over-the-air software updates

• Seamless remote fleet management

• Skilled remote assistance for Kodiak’s long-haul trucking and industrial operations. 

Why Verizon’s Data and Connectivity are So Important for Kodiak

“We have partners where we're running trucks in an industrial setting, and we need to do data collection in a very, very challenging environment,” explains Russell Adams, Kodiak head of IT, in the Verizon video. 

“And so when that pipeline is down, we have to react immediately. And it’s a 24/7 operation. Safety and data are primary.

“Previously, some of the portals I used were carrier aggregators, and their portals were terrible," Adams said. "The API was bad. The documentation was nonexistent.

“We have to go on what the truth is. We can't go on hunches.”

What’s Included in the Kodiak/Verizon Deal?

According to the news release, the partnership between Kodiak AI and Verizon Business includes:

• Ultra-Reliable, Low-Latency Connectivity: Verizon provides custom 5G and LTE data plans for the intense data demands of autonomous vehicle operations. The network delivers ultra-reliable, high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity for over-the-air software updates and near real-time communication between operations centers and trucks nationwide.

• Enabling Assisted Autonomy: The connectivity is critical for Kodiak’s Assisted Autonomy technology, allowing remote operators to quickly review camera feeds and sensor data and skillfully guide autonomous trucks through defined scenarios. This human oversight enhances safety and helps make daily operations more efficient.

• Centralized Fleet Management via ThingSpace: Verizon's ThingSpace centralized IoT platform allows Kodiak's IT team to easily monitor, manage, and troubleshoot connectivity across the fleet. The platform tracks data usage and provides cost transparency, enabling efficient scaling of operations. 

With this network foundation, Kodiak can deliver next-generation driverless solutions to its customers, including day-and-night hauling for industrial clients and long-haul freight with trucking partners, according to the company.

Reliable Connectivity for Driverless Trucks

"Our autonomous driver as a service business model requires highly reliable, low-latency communications for a number of different data transport and management needs," said Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak AI, in a news release.

"This is physical AI at work to enable up to 24/7 driverless operations, and Verizon’s cellular and IoT capabilities provide the backbone that helps Kodiak safely scale its business and deliver for our customers.”

"Kodiak’s cutting-edge approach to logistics showcases the vast potential of the future of transportation powered by AI and connectivity,” said Daniel Lawson, Senior Vice President, Global Solutions, Verizon Business. 

“Our IoT solutions, 5G network, and data platforms are now underpinning connected-vehicle operations of every size and scale. And now with AI catalyzing new enthusiasm for autonomous mobility, reliable connectivity and data services have never been more important.”