TechCrunch Mobility: Self-driving trucks startup Kodiak goes public and a shake-up at Hyundai’s Supernal

Company Overview - Kodiak AI went public through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II, valuing the startup at approximately $2.5 billion [3] - The company raised $275 million in financing, with $212.5 million from institutional investors, including $145 million in PIPE funding and $62.9 million in trust cash from Ares [2] Business Operations - Kodiak AI is developing autonomous vehicles for various applications, including highway, industrial, and defense uses [3] - The company is focused on unstructured autonomy, particularly in defense logistics and reconnaissance operations [7] Partnerships and Contracts - Gatik, another autonomous vehicle startup, has formed a multi-year partnership with Loblaw, deploying 20 autonomous trucks by the end of 2025 for driverless deliveries in the greater Toronto area [5] - The trucks will operate autonomously across a regional network, picking up products from two distribution centers and delivering to over 300 retail stores [4] Industry Trends - The autonomous vehicle industry is still in its early stages, with significant capital requirements and ongoing developments [6] - Companies are exploring various routes to access public markets, with SPACs being a popular choice for funding [7] Recent Developments - Hyundai's electric air taxi startup Supernal is undergoing a reorganization of its leadership team amid challenges in its air taxi program [9][10] - Battery materials startup Sila has commenced operations at its facility in Moses Lake, Washington, which is the first large-scale silicon anode factory in the West [20]