Gryczan, Vice President and Managing Director of Defense, has spent 20 years as a leader at defense and automotive-tech organizationsMOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kodiak AI, Inc. ("Kodiak") (Nasdaq: KDK), a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, today announced the appointment of Chet Gryczan as Vice President and Managing Director of Defense, effective immediately. Gryczan brings more than two decades of experience building and leading defense and automotiv ...

Core Insights - Kodiak AI has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Marine Corps to integrate its AI-powered autonomous driving system, the Kodiak Driver, into the ROGUE-Fires carrier ground vehicle, enhancing military capabilities for distributed maritime operations and expeditionary force projection [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Kodiak AI, founded in 2018, specializes in AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology aimed at addressing complex driving challenges and enhancing supply chain efficiency [4] - The Kodiak Driver is a dual-use technology that combines advanced AI software with modular hardware, designed for both commercial and public sector applications [4] - In 2024, Kodiak achieved a milestone by deploying customer-owned driverless trucks in commercial service, marking a significant advancement in autonomous ground transportation [4] Group 2: Military Collaboration - The integration of the Kodiak Driver into the ROGUE-Fires platform will allow the U.S. Marine Corps to enhance operational reach, improve tempo, and reduce risks during high-end missions [2][3] - Kodiak has previously collaborated with the U.S. Army, receiving approximately $30 million for a three-year contract to deliver an autonomous solution for the Robotic Combat Vehicle program, demonstrating its capability in real-world testing [3]

Kodiak AI Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Kodiak AI (NasdaqGM: KDK) - **Industry**: Self-driving technology, focusing on commercial applications - **CEO**: Don Burnette - **Established**: Nearly 8 years in the self-driving space, with over 17 years of experience in the industry [2][26] Core Business Segments - **Self-driving trucking**: Focused on long-haul deliveries - **Industrial applications**: AI technology for off-road and unstructured environments, with current driverless deployments - **Military and defense**: Providing self-driving technology for defense applications [2][3] Deployment and Operations - **Current Deployment**: 10 driverless trucks operational, providing 24/7 service [3][27] - **Future Plans**: Aiming for driverless over-the-road solutions in the second half of 2026 [3][43] Technology and Safety - **Sensing Capabilities**: Utilizes a combination of radar, camera, and LiDAR to enhance safety and redundancy [5][6] - **Redundancy**: Emphasizes redundancy across the entire system, including sensors, computers, and critical vehicle functions [6] - **Multi-sensor Fusion**: Employs over 20 parallel pathways for decision-making, enhancing reliability and safety [8][9] Market Insights - **Customer Demand**: Increasing interest from trucking companies for autonomous solutions, with a focus on efficiency and cost reduction [22][45] - **Unit Economics**: Aiming to provide immediate cost savings for early adopters, addressing issues like driver shortages and insurance costs [23][24] Competitive Landscape - **Differentiation**: Kodiak does not rely on High-Definition Maps, opting for a more flexible AI-centric approach [33][34] - **Technological Edge**: Focus on low-power, efficient AI algorithms that can operate in safety-critical environments [35][36] Financial Outlook - **Revenue Growth**: Currently in a quiet period, but expects mid- to high-teens growth in the coming year [27][28] - **Market Position**: Positioned to capture market share with established partnerships and a scalable manufacturing process [29] Future Projections - **Autonomous Trucking**: Anticipates a gradual increase in the visibility of autonomous trucks on highways within 3-5 years, particularly in remote areas [62][63] - **Safety Statistics**: Highlights the need for safety systems in high-risk environments like the Permian Basin, where severe accident rates are significantly higher [57] Additional Insights - **User Experience**: Emphasizes the importance of making the product user-friendly for operators at various sites [17][18] - **Insurance Impact**: Early indications show insurance costs for autonomous trucks are comparable to human drivers, with potential for future reductions [39][40] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Kodiak AI conference call, highlighting the company's strategic focus, technological advancements, and market positioning within the self-driving industry.

Core Insights - Kodiak AI, Inc. is set to release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results on March 10, 2026, after market close [1] - A conference call will be held on the same day at 5:00 PM ET to discuss the results [1][2] Company Overview - Kodiak AI, founded in 2018, specializes in AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology aimed at addressing complex driving tasks [3] - The company’s driverless solution is designed to tackle supply chain challenges by safely transporting goods [3] - Kodiak aims to be the trusted leader in autonomous ground transportation, focusing on the commercialization of driverless trucking [3] - The Kodiak Driver, a virtual driver combining advanced AI software with modular hardware, is currently operational without a human driver [3] - In 2024, Kodiak achieved a milestone by deploying customer-owned driverless trucks in commercial service [3] - The Kodiak Driver is also utilized in the public sector for national security and critical government applications [3]

Core Viewpoint - Kodiak AI is a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, focusing on addressing supply chain challenges through driverless trucking solutions [2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Kodiak AI was founded in 2018 and aims to become the trusted world leader in autonomous ground transportation [2]. - The company has developed the Kodiak Driver, a virtual driver that integrates advanced AI software with modular, vehicle-agnostic hardware [2]. - Kodiak AI serves both commercial trucking and public sector customers, with a commitment to a safer and more efficient future through the commercialization of driverless trucking at scale [2]. Group 2: Recent Developments - Kodiak AI will present at the Stifel 2026 Transportation & Logistics Conference on February 10, 2026, at 7:40 am PT/10:40 am ET [1]. - In 2024, Kodiak AI achieved a milestone by deploying customer-owned and operated driverless trucks in commercial service [2]. - The Kodiak Driver is currently operational without a human driver, demonstrating the company's technological advancements [2].

Core Insights - Kodiak AI has entered into an agreement with Bosch to scale the manufacturing of its autonomous platform, enabling the integration of the Kodiak Driver into trucks [1][4] - The partnership aims to develop a platform that includes specialized hardware, firmware, and software interfaces, leveraging Bosch's expertise as the world's largest automotive supplier [2][3] - The collaboration is essential for scaling autonomous driving technology, as it requires robust manufacturing experience and a reliable supply chain [3] Company Developments - Kodiak AI went public in September through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corp. II, resulting in a valuation of approximately $2.5 billion for the combined entity [4] - The company currently operates a fleet of autonomous trucks in the Permian Basin and is targeting driverless highway operations by the second half of 2026 [5]

Core Viewpoint - Kodiak AI, Inc. has established a new debt facility with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, which enhances its financial position by providing additional capital, lowering interest rates, extending maturity, and improving liquidity [1][2][7] Group 1: Debt Facility Details - The new debt facility amounts to $30 million, with terms that include a 200 basis point reduction in interest rates and an extension of maturity from 2026 to 2030 [1][7] - Borrowings under the Loan Agreement will accrue interest at a rate equal to the prime rate plus 3.50%, with a prime rate floor of 6.50% [3] - The Term Loans will be repayable in monthly interest-only payments from February 1, 2026, until July 1, 2028, followed by 18 equal monthly payments of principal and interest until maturity on January 1, 2030 [3] Group 2: Financial Impact - The favorable terms of the debt facility will strengthen Kodiak's financial position by increasing debt capacity, eliminating near-term principal payments, and extending debt maturity, resulting in reduced near-term cash outflows and improved liquidity [2][7] - The transaction reflects Horizon's confidence in Kodiak's business model and performance, enhancing the company's ability to execute on strategic priorities [2][7] Group 3: Company Overview - Kodiak AI, Inc. is a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, aiming to address supply chain challenges through its driverless solution [9] - The company has achieved significant milestones, including deploying customer-owned and operated driverless trucks in commercial service and supporting national security initiatives with its technology [9]

Core Insights - Kodiak AI has developed a 24/7 autonomous driver as a service capability utilizing AI-powered virtual drivers for long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense applications [1][9] - Verizon has partnered with Kodiak AI to provide 5G connectivity and IoT data capabilities, enhancing Kodiak's autonomous trucking solutions [1][4] Group 1: Technology and Capabilities - The Kodiak Driver incorporates Assisted Autonomy technology, allowing human remote assistance in specific low-speed scenarios [2] - Verizon's connectivity enables real-time communication between Kodiak's driverless vehicles and command centers, ensuring low latency over long distances [3][11] - The collaboration utilizes Verizon's 5G and LTE networks, facilitating over-the-air software updates and remote fleet management [4][11] Group 2: Business Model and Market Position - Kodiak AI's business model relies on reliable, low-latency communications to support various data transport and management needs [5] - The partnership with Verizon positions Kodiak to deliver next-generation driverless solutions, including continuous hauling for industrial clients and long-haul freight [7] - Kodiak aims to become a leader in autonomous ground transportation, addressing supply chain challenges through its driverless technology [9]

Company Overview - Kodiak AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:KDK) specializes in autonomous driving technology and related services for the trucking industry, offering solutions like the Kodiak Driver for fleet automation and Kodiak OnTime for technology management [5]. Analyst Ratings - Kodiak AI, Inc. has a Strong Buy consensus from five analysts, all issuing Buy ratings, with an average twelve-month price target of $14.38, indicating a potential gain of 139.67% from a recent share price of $6.00 [1]. Market Performance - The company has logged over three million autonomous miles and delivered over ten thousand commercial loads by the third quarter, showcasing its growing momentum in the autonomous trucking space [3]. Future Projections - Cantor Fitzgerald anticipates 15 driverless truck deployments in 2025 and 70 in 2026, supported by regulatory clearance in twenty-four states for self-driving vehicles [4]. Recent Developments - Kodiak achieved a significant milestone in fiscal year 2024 by becoming the first company to roll out customer-owned driverless trucks through a partnership with Atlas, deploying 100 trucks equipped with its autonomous system in the Permian Basin [3]. Analyst Confidence - Analysts from TD Cowen and Cantor Fitzgerald have reiterated their positive outlook on Kodiak, with TD Cowen maintaining a $14 target and Cantor Fitzgerald an Overweight rating with a $13 target, reflecting steady confidence in the company's future [2].

Core Insights - Kodiak's autonomous technology has been successfully tested with various customers, transporting products like tires, food, and frac sand, which has generated significant interest in driverless deployment [3][4] - The company is focused on long-haul trucking, which presents substantial opportunities for driverless operations, with the domestic long-haul market projected to exceed $900 billion by 2035 and over $4 trillion globally [5][6] - Kodiak reported Q3 revenue of $770,000, marking a 53% increase from the previous quarter, and anticipates further revenue growth as it expands its customer base [6] Company Developments - Kodiak has completed approximately 78% of its safety case reporting for self-driving technology in long-haul trucking [4] - The company aims to fully deploy its autonomous technology in the long-haul trucking segment by the end of next year, having already driven over 3 million miles and delivered more than 10,000 loads [7] - Partnerships with major firms such as J.B. Hunt Transport Services, CR England, Martin Brower, and Atlas Energy Solutions have been instrumental in Kodiak's progress [7] Market Opportunities - The industrial segment is identified as another ideal market for driverless technology, particularly in remote locations where recruiting and retaining drivers is challenging [5][6] - The company is actively seeking additional financing to support its scaling efforts and capitalize on the growing demand for autonomous trucking solutions [6]