Kodiak Robotics (Kodiak) has integrated NXP Semiconductors’ automotive processors and in-vehicle networking interfaces to enhance the performance, robustness and reliability of its autonomous system.
NXP’s automotive solutions have been integrated into the Kodiak actuation control engine (ACE), the custom-designed computer that manages vehicle actuation independently from the main autonomy system. The ACE is designed to allow the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s AI-powered autonomous system, to run a safe fallback maneuver and bring a vehicle to a controlled stop if any safety-critical component of either the Kodiak Driver or the underlying vehicle platform fails.
The integrated solutions in the computer architecture include the S32G3 vehicle network processor in the ACE to enable safe actuation of vehicle controls; S32K3 microcontrollers as safety co-processors to manage power distribution, battery charging and safety HMI interfaces; the VR5510 multichannel high-voltage PMIC for high-performance power generation with functional safety mechanisms to monitor output voltages; and the PF53 ASIL D core supply regulator to deliver power performance and unlock the full potential of the S32G3 core.
NXP’s solutions also enable critical functions like vehicle performance monitoring. Ten times per second, the Kodiak Driver assesses over 1,000 safety-critical processes and components across both the self-driving stack and the truck platform. Lastly, the NXP solutions power critical safety functions such as on-vehicle power management.
The addition aims to enhance the Kodiak Driver’s reliability and robustness by supporting its self-diagnostic capabilities, helping to improve vehicle uptime. Kodiak also sees NXP’s broad range of vehicle interfaces as a flexible, cost-effective way to adapt the Kodiak Driver to other vehicle platforms.
“Safety is the foundation of everything we do at Kodiak, and a responsibility we have taken seriously since day one,” said Don Burnette, the founder and CEO of Kodiak. “Driverless trucks require powerful and reliable safety-critical computing platforms that meet our rigorous safety standards. By incorporating NXP’s automotive solutions into the Kodiak Driver, we are positioned to incorporate the highest classification of automotive safety into our autonomous system more efficiently and at scale.”
NXP’s solutions are compliant with the highest ISO 26262 safety integrity level, ASIL-D.
“Autonomous driving systems demand a level of safety and reliability that leaves no room for compromise,” said Robert Moran, GM and VP of automotive processors at NXP. “Our ISO 26262-compliant S32 compute solutions are designed to support that level of rigor, delivering the real-time performance and functional integrity needed to help companies like Kodiak bring advanced autonomous capabilities to market with confidence.”
In related news, PlusAI recently announced a collaboration with Goodyear to advance the safety and efficiency features of autonomous freight