Kodiak AI and Fresno, California-based DTL Transport have completed their first produce deliveries using an autonomous truck in California, with a human safety driver behind the wheel.

The pilot began September 22. The trucks are hauling perishable freight about 225 miles from Fresno to a Los Angeles distribution center, primarily on State Route 99 and Interstate 5, according to Kodiak.

DTL specializes in cross-country team runs and hauls produce for major grocers.

The runs follow a change in California regulations that opened public roads to testing of heavy-duty autonomous trucks. Kodiak received a state permit August 13 to test with a safety driver.

The permit does not authorize fully driverless testing or deployment. Those require separate permits under the California DMV’s system.

What DTL and Kodiak Are Studying in the California Pilot Program

For DTL, the pilot is a chance to see whether autonomous trucks could help it handle growing freight volumes when demand exceeds its available fleet capacity.

The companies also plan to assess what the technology might mean for transit times, shipping costs, and the shelf life of the produce they haul. They have not yet reported results from those measures.

“Our work with Kodiak helps us understand how embracing this cutting-edge technology improves safety, increases margins, and affirms our leadership position in the industry,” said DTL President and CEO Lucky Dosanjh.

Kodiak said the companies may consider additional routes after the pilot.

Separately, Kodiak says it plans to launch driverless operations on public highways in Texas by the end of 2026.