A total of 800 trucks operated by Capacity-as-a-Service (CaaS) logistics platform Loadsmith will be fitted with Kodiak Robotics’ self-driving technology the Kodiak Driver. The autonomous trucks will form the basis for the Loadsmith Freight Network (LFN), stated to be the first-ever freight transportation company built specifically for self-driving trucks”. Delivery of the Kodiak Driver-powered self-driving trucks is expected to begin in Q3/Q4 of 2025.
The autonomous trucks will transport goods along the interstate sections of highways. Kodiak Driver-equipped Loadsmith trucks will conduct long-haul company deliveries, with human drivers carrying out pickups and deliveries in local areas. This combination of autonomous and human drivers will enable Loadsmith to move a greater amount of freight in a safe and reliable manner.
“Loadsmith is the first trucking company built specifically for autonomous trucks, and we are proud that they selected Kodiak as the backbone of their operations,” said Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak Robotics. “Loadsmith’s founder Brett Suma is one of trucking’s true visionaries, and now he is using his deep and unique experience to rethink logistics for the autonomous era.”
Loadsmith’s logistics platform will deploy 6,000 trailers on the LFN to maximize the use of the Kodiak-powered trucks. The pairing of self-driving trucks and local manual trucks will enable Loadsmith to scale autonomous deliveries at speed.
“Loadsmith’s partnership with Kodiak is founded on the belief that freight transportation is preparing to undergo a profound technological transformation, with autonomous middle-mile trucking leading the way,” said Brett Suma, founder and CEO, Loadsmith.
“Loadsmith’s expertise in network design and freight execution combined with Kodiak’s best-in-class autonomous trucking technology demonstrates a new model for how two companies can collaborate to usher in a new era of transportation.”
