Robotics & Automation News

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autonomous trucking

Exclusive interview: Bot Auto CEO on why autonomous trucking must prove its economics before it scales

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Following our recent coverage of the challenges facing autonomous trucking, Robotics and Automation News now interviews Xiaodi Hou, co-founder and CEO of Bot Auto, to explore a different approach – one focused less on flashy demos and more on cost-per-mile performance.

Hou, a veteran in autonomous driving and AI, is taking aim at the industry’s reputation for over-promising and under-delivering.

With a PhD in Computation and Neural Systems from Caltech and a background in machine learning and computer vision, he brings both technical depth and commercial realism to the table. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview: Bot Auto CEO on why autonomous trucking must prove its economics before it scales

Daimler delivers ‘autonomous-ready’ trucks to Torc Robotics

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Daimler Truck North America has delivered a new fleet of autonomous-ready trucks to its subsidiary Torc Robotics, marking a significant milestone in their push toward commercializing driverless freight transport.

The vehicles, built on the newly launched fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia platform, are now being integrated into Torc’s testing program along one of America’s busiest freight corridors between Laredo and Dallas.

The new trucks represent Daimler’s most advanced Class 8 platform yet, featuring built-in redundancy across critical safety systems such as braking and steering – essential for achieving SAE Level 4 autonomous operation. [Read more…] about Daimler delivers ‘autonomous-ready’ trucks to Torc Robotics

Autonomous truck startup Kodiak to go public

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Autonomous trucking startup Kodiak Robotics is to go public through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II, a special purpose acquisition company affiliated with Ares Management Corporation.

The deal will make Kodiak a publicly listed company under the name Kodiak AI, with shares expected to trade under the ticker symbols KDK and KDK WS, pending regulatory approval.

Founded in 2018 by autonomy pioneer Don Burnette, Kodiak has emerged as a leading player in driverless trucking, developing an AI-powered automated driving system known as the Kodiak Driver. [Read more…] about Autonomous truck startup Kodiak to go public