Kodiak to Scale Autonomous Trucking Hardware and Sensor Solution in Strategic Agreement with Bosch

Rhea-AI Summary

Kodiak (Nasdaq: KDK) announced a strategic agreement with Bosch to collaborate on a production-grade, redundant autonomous trucking platform that integrates hardware, firmware, and software interfaces to scale the Kodiak Driver for factory-line and upfitter deployment.

Bosch will supply production-grade hardware components, including sensors and vehicle actuation elements such as steering technologies, and will support development and manufacturing scale-up. A Kodiak Driver-powered autonomous truck will be on display at CES 2026 (Jan 6–9) in Bosch booth 16203.

Positive

• Signed agreement with Bosch to scale production-grade autonomous hardware
• Bosch to supply sensors and actuation including steering technologies
• Planned public CES 2026 display Jan 6–9 demonstrates near-term deployment

Negative

• No financial terms disclosed, limiting near-term revenue visibility
• Scaling manufacturing and supply chain integration could delay deployment

Key Figures

CES 2026 dates January 6–9, 2026 Kodiak Driver-powered autonomous truck display at Bosch booth

Booth number 16203 Bosch booth in the Central Hall at CES 2026

Market Reality Check

$10.40 Last Close

Volume Volume 512,131 is about 0.43x the 20-day average 1,178,799, indicating subdued trading ahead of this news. low

Technical Shares at $10.83 are trading above the 200-day MA of $8.02 and sit 4.58% below the 52-week high of $11.35.

Peers on Argus

No peers in the listed sector showed momentum flags or same-day headlines, suggesting this Bosch agreement is being interpreted as a company-specific catalyst rather than part of a broader sector rotation.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 31	Debt refinancing	Positive	+0.9%	Refinanced senior debt, lowered spread and extended maturity to 2030.
Dec 18	Connectivity partnership	Positive	+6.5%	Verizon 5G/LTE and IoT integrated with Kodiak Driver for 24/7 ops.
Nov 12	Earnings debut	Positive	+0.6%	First public-quarter results with growing driverless fleet and cash.
Nov 04	Steering partnership	Positive	-4.1%	Expanded ZF deal to buy 100 redundant steering systems for trucks.
Oct 22	Earnings notice	Neutral	-5.0%	Announcement of date and call details for Q3 2025 results.

Pattern Detected

Recent news shows positive strategic and financing updates often coincide with modest gains, but some operational or logistics partnerships and neutral announcements have seen short-term selloffs.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Kodiak AI has reported several milestones, including a new $30.0 million senior secured term loan extending maturity to Jan 1, 2030, a Verizon Business agreement integrating 5G/LTE connectivity, and its first public-quarter earnings with 10 fully driverless trucks and over 3 million autonomous miles. It also expanded a ZF steering partnership for 100 redundant systems. Today’s Bosch manufacturing and sensor collaboration builds on this theme of scaling autonomous trucking hardware and commercial readiness.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a strategic step toward scaling Kodiak’s autonomous trucking platform through Bosch’s production-grade hardware, sensors, and system integration capabilities. It complements earlier moves such as refinancing a $30.0 million term loan and partnerships around connectivity and steering systems. Key factors to watch include actual deployment volumes, commercial terms with OEMs and upfitters, and how quickly the Bosch-enabled platform supports broader rollout of the Kodiak Driver across fleets.

Key Terms

firmware technical

"specialized hardware, firmware, and software interfaces that enable the Kodiak Driver"

Firmware is the built-in software that tells a physical device how to operate, stored in the device’s permanent memory rather than on a removable app. Think of it as the instruction manual glued into a gadget’s brain that controls basic functions and features. Investors care because firmware updates or flaws can change a product’s capabilities, security, repair costs, regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction, all of which can affect sales, margins and company value.

autonomous platform technical

"scale the manufacturing of a production-grade, redundant autonomous platform"

An autonomous platform is a system — made of software, sensors, and sometimes hardware — that performs tasks and makes routine decisions without continuous human direction, like a self-guiding factory line, delivery robot, or data-analysis engine. For investors, it matters because such platforms can lower operating costs, scale work faster than manual systems, and create durable advantages or new revenue streams, while also carrying technology, adoption, and regulatory risks.

ai-powered driver technical

"Kodiak’s AI-powered driver, to automate trucks—either on a vehicle production line"

An AI-powered driver is the software “brain” that uses machine learning and sensors to control or assist a vehicle’s steering, braking, acceleration and decision-making, replacing or supporting a human driver. For investors it matters because this technology determines safety, regulatory approval, production cost and consumer adoption—much like an autopilot system for a plane, its performance can make or break a vehicle’s market value and the company’s future revenue.

sensors technical

"Bosch will supply Kodiak with a variety of hardware components, including sensors"

Sensors are small devices that detect physical things—like temperature, motion, light, pressure or chemical levels—and convert those observations into electrical signals machines can use, much like a nose or eyes give information to a person. For investors, sensors matter because they are core components that determine a product’s capabilities, data collection and recurring service opportunities, influence manufacturing costs and supply risks, and often help decide how valuable a technology or company will be in growing markets.

vehicle actuation components technical

"including sensors and vehicle actuation components, such as steering technologies"

Vehicle actuation components are the mechanical and electronic parts that turn a driver’s or computer’s command into physical movement—think of them as the vehicle’s muscles and the electronic signals as its nerves. Examples include motors, valves, and control modules that move brakes, steering, throttles or doors. Investors watch them because they affect safety, performance, efficiency and the ability to add features like driver assistance; their cost, reliability and regulatory approval can influence a manufacturer’s expenses, recalls and competitiveness.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Kodiak will collaborate with Bosch on a production-grade, redundant platform that integrates the hardware, firmware, and software interfaces required to bring Kodiak's AI-powered driver to autonomous trucks at scale

Kodiak AI-powered driverless truck to be on display at the Bosch CES® 2026 booth
in Las Vegas

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kodiak AI, Inc. (“Kodiak”) (Nasdaq: KDK), a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous driving technology, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, to collaborate on and scale the manufacturing of a production-grade, redundant autonomous platform. This platform contains the specialized hardware, firmware, and software interfaces that enable the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s AI-powered driver, to automate trucks—either on a vehicle production line or through an upfitter.

“Advancing the deployment of driverless trucks and physical AI not only requires robust autonomous technology, but also manufacturing experience and a robust supply chain in order to achieve true scale,” said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak. “We believe collaborating with Bosch will allow us to scale autonomous driving hardware with the modularity, serviceability, and system-level integration needed for commercial success for both upfit and factory-line integration.”

The Kodiak Driver combines advanced AI-driven software with modular, vehicle-agnostic hardware into a single, unified platform. Through this agreement, Bosch will support the development of a redundant autonomous platform that combines the integrated automotive-grade hardware, firmware, and software interfaces. Bosch will supply Kodiak with a variety of hardware components, including sensors and vehicle actuation components, such as steering technologies.

“By supplying production-grade hardware, we are enabling the next generation of autonomous trucking alongside Kodiak,” said Paul Thomas, President, Bosch in North America and President, Bosch Mobility Americas. “Kodiak has already deployed trucks with no humans on board in commercial operation and this cooperation gives us a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of real-world autonomous vehicle requirements and to further enhance our offerings for the broader autonomous mobility ecosystem.”

Bosch is the largest global automotive supplier as ranked by Automotive News and the company’s broad industrialization expertise for automotive-grade components, including sensors, will help Kodiak to scale its Kodiak Driver offering.

Bosch and Kodiak at CES 2026
A Kodiak Driver-powered autonomous truck will be on display January 6-9 at CES 2026 in the Bosch booth 16203 in the Central Hall.

About Kodiak AI, Inc.
Kodiak AI 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 a human driver today. Kodiak serves customers in both commercial trucking and the public sector. 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. The Kodiak Driver is also being utilized in the public sector, where Kodiak believes it can support national security initiatives and critical government applications.

For more information about Kodiak, please visit https://kodiak.ai/investors.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements including regarding Kodiak's or its management teams' expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: expectations related to Kodiak's and Bosch's collaboration, Kodiak's expectations related to the scalability of its business, and Kodiak's expectations with respect to its future performance and success. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Kodiak's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied upon by any investors as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Kodiak. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; risks related to the rollout of Kodiak's business and the timing of expected business milestones; the effects of competition on Kodiak's business; supply shortages in the materials necessary for the production of the Kodiak Driver; risks related to working with third-party manufacturers for key components of the Kodiak Driver; risks related to the retrofitting of Kodiak's vehicles by third parties; the termination or suspension of any of Kodiak's contracts or the reduction in counterparty spending; and delays in Kodiak's operational roadmap with key partners and customers. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact such forward-looking statements can be found in filings and potential filings by Kodiak with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including under the heading "Risk Factors." If any of these risks materialize or any assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Kodiak does presently know, or that Kodiak currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by investors as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability.

In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Kodiak's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date they are made. Kodiak anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Kodiak's assessments to change. However, while Kodiak may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Kodiak specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Kodiak's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date they are made. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Neither Kodiak nor any of its respective affiliates have any obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law. In addition, this press release contains certain information about the historical performance of Kodiak. You should not view information related to the past performance of Kodiak as indicative of future results. Certain information set forth in this press release includes estimates and targets and involves significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis. No representations are made as to the accuracy of such estimates or targets or that all assumptions relating to such estimates or targets have been considered or stated or that such estimates or targets will be realized.

Contacts

Kodiak AI Media Relations
Daniel Goff
Vice President of External Affairs
+1 646-515-3933
dan@kodiak.ai

Stacy Morris
Futurista Communications for Kodiak AI
+1 310-415-9188
stacy.morris@futuristacommunications.com

Kodiak AI Investor Relations
Lauren Sloane
The Blueshirt Group for Kodiak
Lauren@blueshirtgroup.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eeae2cff-f527-4524-a171-2dfc8ba273a9.

FAQ

What did Kodiak (KDK) announce with Bosch on January 5, 2026?

Kodiak announced an agreement with Bosch to collaborate on a production-grade, redundant autonomous trucking platform integrating hardware, firmware, and software interfaces.

What hardware will Bosch supply to Kodiak under the KDK agreement?

Bosch will supply production-grade hardware components, including sensors and vehicle actuation components such as steering technologies.

How will the Bosch partnership affect Kodiak Driver deployment for KDK shareholders?

The partnership aims to scale manufacturing and supply-chain integration to enable factory-line and upfitter deployment of the Kodiak Driver, potentially accelerating commercialization.

When and where can investors see a Kodiak Driver-powered truck after the KDK announcement?

A Kodiak Driver-powered autonomous truck will be on display at CES 2026, January 6–9, in the Bosch booth 16203 in the Central Hall.

Does the Kodiak and Bosch announcement include financial terms or timelines for KDK?

No; the announcement does not disclose financial terms, specific production timelines, or contract values.