Dive Brief:
- Kodiak AI has partnered with PrePass to enhance the vehicle inspection process through established roadside screening systems, the companies announced Sept. 21.
- Information collected during safety inspections of Kodiak’s autonomous trucks by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance-trained inspectors will utilize PrePass’ automated bypass technology to send the data directly to law enforcement to verify and authorize, per the release. The bypass inspection process was launched for the carrier in Louisiana and Texas on Sept. 21.
- Kodiak’s latest partnership is a step for the company as it works toward nationwide driverless long-haul commercial vehicle operations before year’s end. Company founder and CEO Don Burnette said the collaboration is an important milestone, adding that, “it enables us to provide critical information to commercial vehicle enforcement agencies, maintain compliance with safety requirements and scale the Kodiak Driver across the United States.”
Dive Insight:
Kodiak’s partnership with PrePass follows its strategy of working with other companies to advance deployment of its technology.
Burnette said PrePass’ nationwide network and established relationships with state agencies and ability to integrate with emerging technologies make the company an important partner to aid Kodiak as it works toward nationwide deployment.
PrePass’ network includes more than 580 inspection and screen locations across the country, the press release said. Kodiak also said building on systems and infrastructure many states already use provides a foundation for scaling autonomous operations nationwide.
PrePass Chief Technology Officer Chas Wurster said PrePass has spent years preparing for a future of autonomous trucking through federal research and collaboration with state agencies as well as through continued investments in roadside screening technology.
“By working with Kodiak to advance driverless trucking into real-world commercial operations, PrePass is operationalizing the blueprint for what comes next: bringing states, roadside infrastructure and trusted data together to make autonomous operations work at scale,” Wurster said in the announcement. Prepass’ processes also have connected commercial fleets with state enforcement agencies and roadside infrastructure, per the release.
CVSA Executive Director Collin Mooney welcomed the collaboration between Kodiak and PrePass, saying that “as commercial motor vehicle technologies continue to advance, inspection and enforcement processes must evolve with them while maintaining a strong focus on transportation safety,” per the release.
PrePass has established systems that have aided carriers with assorted functions including toll payment management and weigh-in-motion technology, though these technologies are not part of its partnership launch with Kodiak, PrePass said in an email to Trucking Dive.
Other autonomous vehicle players also are working to scale their technologies.
Aurora Innovation is actively working to deploy its technology through carrier partners, while Volvo Autonomous Solutions has said it will be operating more than 300 autonomous trucks on U.S. highways before the end of next year. Einride, a Sweden-based maker of electric heavy-duty self-driving trucks, also has been expanding its U.S. commercial footprint.
