Kodiak AI and Verizon Business transform trucking with autonomous technology and IoT connectivity

Rhea-AI Summary

Kodiak AI (NASDAQ: KDK) and Verizon Business announced a commercial agreement on Dec 18, 2025 to integrate Verizon 5G/LTE connectivity, IoT telematics and ThingSpace fleet management with Kodiak’s AI-powered Kodiak Driver.

Key capabilities include Assisted Autonomy (remote human assistance in defined low-speed scenarios), camera and sensor telemetry, centralized ThingSpace monitoring, and custom 5G/LTE data plans for over-the-air software updates and near‑real‑time vehicle-to-command communications to support up to 24/7 driverless operations.

Positive

• Enables up to 24/7 autonomous driver-as-a-service operations
• Verizon to supply custom 5G and LTE data plans for OTA updates
• ThingSpace centralizes fleet IoT monitoring and troubleshooting

Negative

• Operational performance depends on third‑party cellular network reliability and low latency

News Market Reaction – KDK

+6.51% 1.9x vol

24 alerts

+6.51% News Effect

+11.3% Peak in 30 hr 25 min

+$114M Valuation Impact

$1.87B Market Cap

1.9x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, KDK gained 6.51%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +11.3% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 24 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $114M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.87B at that time. Trading volume was above average at 1.9x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Autonomous operations: 24/7 driverless capability

1 metrics

Autonomous operations 24/7 driverless capability Kodiak autonomous driver as a service model

Market Reality Check

Price: $8.40 Vol: Volume 749,217 is in line...

normal vol

$8.40 Last Close

Volume Volume 749,217 is in line with 20-day average 747,592. normal

Technical Trading above 200-day MA, with price 8.76 vs 200-day MA 7.61.

Historical Context

4 past events · Latest: Nov 12 (Positive)

Pattern 4 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Nov 12	Q3 2025 earnings	Positive	+0.6%	First public-company quarter with strong driverless deployment and cash position.
Nov 04	AI tech partnership	Positive	-4.1%	Expanded ZF deal for 100 redundant steering systems for driverless trucks.
Oct 22	Earnings scheduling	Neutral	-5.0%	Announcement of date and call details for Q3 2025 results release.
Oct 16	Safety recognition	Positive	-8.5%	Top VERA safety score of 98 among 1,000+ fleets in Nauto evaluation.

Pattern Detected

Operational and safety milestones have often been followed by flat to negative next-day moves, indicating a tendency for the stock to fade positive news.

Recent Company History

This announcement adds another AI-focused operational partnership to Kodiak’s trajectory. In October–November 2025, the company highlighted top safety scores from Nauto, scheduled and then reported its first post-listing Q3 2025 results, and expanded an AI-related steering partnership with ZF for 100 driverless trucks. Despite generally positive milestones, several prior updates saw negative price reactions, underscoring a pattern where strong technology or safety news has not consistently translated into immediate share gains.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved +6.5% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with inv...

Analysis

The stock moved +6.5% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with investors rewarding strategic partnerships that enhance Kodiak’s AI and connectivity stack. Past milestones, such as safety recognition and technology deals, did not always sustain gains, so history suggests enthusiasm could fade. With the stock already trading above its 200-day MA, investors watching this move might scrutinize execution on Verizon-enabled deployments and the company’s ability to turn technical wins into commercial scale.

Key Terms

5g, iot, telematics, over-the-air software updates, +3 more

7 terms

5g technical

"Verizon is providing 5G telematics and ThingSpace IoT management solutions"

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that provides faster internet connections, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous networks. It enables quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more reliable connections for devices. For investors, 5G represents a significant upgrade in technology infrastructure that can drive growth in related industries such as smartphones, smart cities, and the Internet of Things.

iot technical

"5G telematics and ThingSpace IoT management solutions to help enable Kodiak’s"

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of everyday devices—such as appliances, vehicles, and equipment—that are connected to the internet and can share data automatically. For investors, IoT represents a growing trend that can drive efficiency and innovation across many industries, potentially creating new opportunities for growth and value. Its expansion influences how companies operate and compete in a digitally connected world.

telematics technical

"Verizon is providing 5G telematics and ThingSpace IoT management solutions"

Telematics is the technology that collects, transmits and analyzes data from vehicles or remote equipment—such as location, speed, engine status and sensor readings—using GPS, cellular networks and onboard computers. For investors it matters because telematics turns physical assets into data-rich services, enabling new revenue streams (like usage-based insurance, fleet optimization, or predictive maintenance), reducing costs and improving risk visibility much like a fitness tracker does for health.

over-the-air software updates technical

"custom 5G and LTE data plans for over-the-air software updates and wireless"

Over-the-air software updates are wireless deliveries of new software or fixes to devices—like a smartphone or connected car receiving improvements without visiting a service center. For investors, they matter because they let companies add features, fix bugs, and respond to security or regulatory issues quickly, lowering repair costs, extending product lifespans, and protecting brand value and revenue streams in a way similar to pushing a patch to many products at once.

autonomous vehicle technical

"AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, have reached a commercial agreement"

A vehicle that can navigate and operate without a person actively controlling the steering, braking and acceleration, using onboard sensors, cameras, maps and software to make driving decisions much like a robot chauffeur. Investors watch autonomous vehicles because they can reshape transportation economics—lowering labor and operating costs for fleets, creating new service and data revenues, and introducing regulatory and liability risks that can rapidly change a company's value, similar to how smartphones transformed multiple industries.

remote driving technology technical

"Enabled by Verizon partner Vay Technology, a leading provider of automotive-grade remote driving technology."

Remote driving technology lets a human operator control a vehicle from a distance using cameras, sensors and wireless links, like piloting a car with a high‑quality video-game controller. It matters to investors because it can expand services (ride fleets, delivery, mining), change operating costs and liability, and face regulatory and connectivity risks; that mix affects a company’s revenue potential, safety profile and capital needs.

centralized iot platform technical

"Verizon's ThingSpace centralized IoT platform allows Kodiak's IT team"

A centralized IoT platform is a single system that connects, controls and collects data from many internet‑enabled devices so they can be managed in one place — like a traffic controller or central thermostat for a fleet of sensors and machines. For investors, it matters because centralization can lower operational costs, speed deployment, create recurring software revenue, and concentrate data-driven insights, while also introducing dependency and security risks tied to one hub.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

What you need to know:

• 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
• Watch the video to see how it works. Key capabilities include camera and sensor telemetry for Assisted Autonomy, centralized fleet and data management via ThingSpace, and custom 5G and LTE data plans for over-the-air software updates and wireless connectivity between trucks and command centers.
  

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon Business and Kodiak AI (NASDAQ: KDK), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered autonomous vehicle technology, have reached a commercial agreement bringing Verizon connectivity and IoT data capabilities to Kodiak’s driverless trucking solutions.

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 leading provider of automotive-grade remote driving technology.

Verizon connectivity allows Kodiak’s driverless vehicles to communicate with Assisted Autonomy drivers and send mission-critical communication between vehicles and command centers, with low latency over long distances in remote environments.

This collaboration leverages Verizon’s 5G and LTE networks, IoT telematics and ThingSpace management platform to help fill Kodiak’s need for advanced data capabilities. Use cases include over-the-air software updates, seamless remote fleet management, and skilled remote assistance for Kodiak’s long-haul trucking and industrial operations.

"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. "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.”

Partnership components include:

• 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.

Learn more about Kodiak’s connectivity and technology journey with Verizon Business here.

About Verizon Communications Inc. 
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

About Kodiak AI
Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK) was founded in 2018 and is a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology that is designed to help tackle some of the toughest driving jobs. Kodiak’s driverless solution can help address the critical problem of safely transporting goods in the face of unprecedented supply chain challenges. Kodiak’s vision is to become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation. Kodiak is committed to a safer and more efficient future for all through the commercialization of driverless trucking at scale. To that end, Kodiak developed the Kodiak Driver, a virtual driver that combines advanced AI-powered software with modular and vehicle-agnostic hardware designed to help address Kodiak’s customers’ needs. The Kodiak Driver is not just an idea—it is operating without anyone in the cab today. Kodiak serves customers in long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense industries. In 2024, Kodiak believes it achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first company to deploy customer-owned and -operated driverless trucks in commercial service.

Kodiak’s press kit with videos and images can be found HERE.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are
available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact:
Kylee Keskerian
PR Manager
419-822-6417
kylee@futuristacommunications.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8a8851c-7869-4b44-8fcf-e9418c320ce4

FAQ

What did Kodiak AI (KDK) announce with Verizon Business on December 18, 2025?

Kodiak announced a commercial agreement with Verizon to use 5G/LTE connectivity, IoT telematics and ThingSpace to support Kodiak Driver and Assisted Autonomy.

How does Verizon connectivity support Kodiak AI (KDK) operations?

Verizon provides ultra‑reliable, low‑latency 5G/LTE links, custom data plans, and ThingSpace for telemetry, OTA updates, and near‑real‑time communications.

What is Kodiak’s Assisted Autonomy and how is it enabled for KDK trucks?

Assisted Autonomy lets remote humans provide guidance in defined low‑speed scenarios using camera and sensor telemetry delivered over Verizon networks.

Will the Verizon partnership allow Kodiak AI (KDK) to perform night and long‑haul operations?

Yes; the agreement highlights support for day‑and‑night hauling and long‑haul freight through connected vehicle communications and fleet management.

Does the Kodiak–Verizon deal disclose financial terms for KDK?

No financial or commercial pricing details were disclosed in the announcement.

How does ThingSpace help Kodiak AI (KDK) manage its fleet?

ThingSpace centralizes IoT management, allowing Kodiak to monitor connectivity, track data usage, and troubleshoot devices across the fleet.