Autonomous trucking company Kodiak AI has signed a binding commercial agreement to supply its self-driving technology for 75 trucks operated by California-based freight carrier DTL Transport, with deliveries beginning in 2028. The agreement, announced on October 28, 2026, marks Kodiak’s first commercial contract to deploy driverless trucks on public highways under its Driver-as-a-Service business model.
According to Kodiak’s official announcement, DTL will own and operate the trucks while paying Kodiak a per-mile licensing fee for its autonomous driving system. The companies did not disclose the contract’s financial value.
DTL Plans Driverless Freight Operations Across Interstate Routes
DTL Transport, which specializes in transporting fresh produce and refrigerated goods for major grocery chains, plans to deploy the trucks across multiple interstate routes. Initial operations will connect Dallas with El Paso, Texas, and Dallas with Atlanta, Georgia, using highways where Kodiak has already conducted autonomous driving tests.
The agreement follows a September pilot program in which Kodiak transported perishable goods approximately 225 miles between Fresno and Los Angeles. The deliveries used Interstate 5 and California State Route 99, with a human safety operator present throughout the journey.
Kodiak CEO Don Burnette said mid-sized trucking companies such as DTL can integrate autonomous technology more quickly because of their smaller fleets and operational flexibility. The company expects to begin fully driverless highway operations in December 2026, transporting goods for IKEA along Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston.
Kodiak Shifts Toward Driver-as-a-Service Business Model
Kodiak currently operates a Trucking-as-a-Service model, under which it owns and manages autonomous trucks while transporting freight for customers including Charger USA, Roehl Transport and Werner Enterprises. These operations generate revenue across three active Texas routes but remain in the pilot stage.
The company intends to transition toward a Driver-as-a-Service model, allowing customers to own and operate trucks equipped with Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology. Under this arrangement, Kodiak supplies the software and hardware system while collecting recurring licensing payments based on mileage.
Kodiak already operates this model with Atlas Energy Solutions, which owns 35 driverless trucks operating in off-road industrial environments in West Texas. Kodiak expects the Atlas fleet to reach approximately 100 vehicles by mid-2027.
Contract Could Generate More Than $11 Million Annually
Kodiak’s 2025 investor presentation projected annual recurring revenue of approximately $150,000 to $190,000 per truck under its licensing model. Those estimates assume substantial annual mileage and per-mile fees comparable to commercial driver costs.
Based on the lower end of those projections, the 75-truck DTL agreement could generate approximately $11.25 million in annual recurring revenue once the entire fleet is operational. The estimate remains dependent on actual vehicle utilization, licensing terms and deployment schedules.
Kodiak became publicly traded in September 2025, although its shares have declined approximately 87% from their opening-day price, according to TechCrunch.
Featured image credits: Kodiak AI
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