AEV Summit: Autonomous trucking set to leap from science experiment

‘It’s no longer a question of if the technology’s going to happen. But I believe it’s a question of when,” says Kodiak Robotics co-founder and CEO

Kodiak Robotics CEO and co-founder Don Burnette in a video chat with Alan Adler of FreightWaves, discussing autonomous trucking

Kodiak Robotics CEO and co-founder Don Burnette (right) with FreightWaves Detroit Bureau Chief Alan Adler.

This keynote recap is from FreightWaves’ Autonomous & Electric Vehicles Summit on Wednesday.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: Why autonomous trucking is really a science project

DETAILS: Industry pioneer Don Burnette explains why experimentation has been key to the development of autonomous trucking technology — and that the industry is poised to leap to a viable commercial product. He talks with FreightWaves Detroit Bureau Chief Alan Adler. 

SPEAKER: Burnette is the co-founder and CEO of Kodiak Robotics. 


BIO: Burnette began his career working as the software technology lead for Google’s self-driving car project, the precursor to Waymo. He went on to found the first self-driving truck startup, Otto. He co-founded Kodiak Robotics two years after Uber acquired Otto. Kodiak has focused its efforts on developing technology for autonomous long-haul trucking.

KEY QUOTES FROM BURNETTE

“Trial and error is what makes significant progress at the end of the day.”

“I think we are at a pivotal moment in the autonomous industry. It’s no longer a question of if the technology’s going to happen. But I believe it’s a question of when.”

“Now what comes next? … Building your safety case — that’s the comprehensive evaluation that proves for us that this Kodiak driver is going to be safer than the average truck driver.”

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