Textron Systems Corporation, a developer of crewed and uncrewed military ground vehicles, and Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving technology developer for the trucking and defense markets, are collaborating to develop an autonomous military ground vehicle specifically designed for driverless operations.

Through this collaboration, Kodiak will integrate its autonomous system, the Kodiak Driver, into a Textron Systems prototype, purpose-built uncrewed military vehicle. This collaboration also marks Kodiak’s first integration of its autonomous technology into a vehicle designed without space for a human driver.

Bringing Artificial Intelligence-Powered, Autonomous Technologies to Military Customers

The system being developed by the companies will operate using the same core technology that’s embedded within Kodiak’s autonomous long-haul trucks. The vehicle will also feature Kodiak DefensePods, an adapted version of Kodiak’s modular, swappable SensorPods, designed for military use. DefensePods are pre-calibrated, pre-built hardware enclosures that include the sensors necessary for autonomous driving.

A technician without specialized training can swap out a DefensePod in the field in 10 minutes or less.

Delivering a Mission-Ready Autonomous System

The companies intend to integrate Kodiak’s technology into the Textron Systems uncrewed military vehicle and demonstrate driverless operations later in 2024. Afterwards, Textron Systems and Kodiak intend to jointly explore future opportunities with both the U.S. DoD and the militaries of other allied nations, as they look to accelerate automation into military ground vehicles.

Deploying uncrewed vehicles to perform high-risk and complex tasks in the field is aimed at assisting the U.S. military in removing servicemen and women from harm’s way, while enhancing national security.

In December 2023, Kodiak unveiled its first autonomous test vehicle designed specifically for the DoD, a Ford F-150 upfit with Kodiak’s autonomous technology.