SK partners with US self-driving truck tech firm

Captured from Kodiak Robotics' website

By Kim Bo-eun

SK Group's holding company has partnered with Kodiak Robotics, a U.S. self-driving truck startup, to introduce the company's technology in Asian markets.

Under the partnership, Kodiak will combine its software with SK's products, components and technology. Kodiak estimates the size of the freight market in Asia to reach $1.5 trillion.

"The partnership with Kodiak will help accelerate the commercialization of self-driving truck technology in Asia," Shin Jung-ho, head of SK Inc.'s digital investment center, was cited as saying in a press release.

An SK official said the partnership is in the early stages and the companies have yet to reveal further details.

SK has continued to seek opportunities in the future mobility market by investing in firms in the sector.

The Korean company invested in Watson, China's top maker of copper foil used in electric vehicle batteries, and also in Southeast Asia's largest ride-sharing platform, Grab. SK is set to expand its EV profile by investing in the Swedish hybrid carmaker Polestar and the acquisition of local EV charger manufacturer, Signet EV.

Kodiak, launched in 2018, develops technology used in self-driving trucks. It is headquartered in California and has a testing and operations facility in Texas. Kodiak unveiled a contract recently with the U.S. Air Force to bring self-driving transportation to the U.S. Department of Defense's Air Force base in Delaware.