J.B. Hunt, Bridgestone and Kodiak Surpass 50,000 Autonomous Long-Haul Trucking Miles in Delivery Collaboration

Partnership has achieved 100% on-time performance with zero accidents. The collaboration is now expanding to include additional weekly deliveries

Arkansas, United States- J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a supply chain solutions providers in North America, Bridgestone Americas Inc., (Bridgestone) a premium tires and sustainable mobility solutions, and Kodiak Robotics, Inc., an autonomous trucking company, recently celebrated surpassing 50,000 autonomous trucking miles in their ongoing collaboration. Since January, Kodiak's autonomous trucks have been delivering Bridgestone tires between South Carolina and Dallas with a 100% on-time record and zero accidents. Due to this success, the partnership has expanded to include additional weekly deliveries.

Using Kodiak's hub-to-hub autonomous delivery model, the 750-mile stretch from Atlanta to Dallas is completed with Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology, equipped with Bridgestone M719 drive and R213 steer tires. J.B. Hunt manages the transport of trailers between Bridgestone facilities and Kodiak hubs, utilizing the J.B. Hunt 360box network of over 14,000 trailers to secure return capacity and minimize empty miles, enhancing route efficiency.

Mr. Nick Hobbs, chief operating officer and president of contract services at J.B. Hunt. “Working closely with Kodiak and Bridgestone, we were able to deliver a complementary solution that integrates autonomous technology with day-to-day operations while also solving backhaul challenges. It’s a great example of how our mode-neutral approach can leverage multiple service offerings to produce efficient, value-driven solutions unique to our customers’ needs.”

The collaboration between J.B. Hunt, Bridgestone, and Kodiak Robotics creates an efficient, round-trip delivery solution for Bridgestone passenger car tires. J.B. Hunt moves loads from Bridgestone’s Aiken plant to Kodiak’s autonomous truckport near Atlanta. Kodiak's autonomous trucks then handle the long haul to Lancaster, Texas, overseen by a two-person safety team. J.B. Hunt completes the final leg to Bridgestone’s Roanoke distribution center. For the return trip, J.B. Hunt utilizes its 360box program to match additional freight needs, with Kodiak autonomously completing the route back to Atlanta.

Mr. Brad Blizzard, Vice President, Logistics Operations and Product Delivery, Bridgestone. “As part of our evolution into a global leader in sustainable mobility solutions, Bridgestone joined forces with Kodiak and J.B. Hunt to prove that autonomous long-haul shipping is more than just a daydream; it’s happening right now. we are excited to be expanding our routes, growing this partnership, and investing in the mobility of the future.”

Mr. Don Burnette, Founder & CEO, Kodiak, said, “Our ability to build an autonomous delivery program with J.B. Hunt, one of America’s best-respected and most innovative trucking fleets, and Bridgestone, a longstanding Kodiak investor and a leader in transportation technology, makes this a perfect collaboration. Demonstrating the efficacy of our middle mile model and improving operational efficiencies for our customers sets us all on a course for rapid and sustainable growth.”

Bridgestone announced an investment in and partnership with Kodiak in June 2021. As part of the partnership, Bridgestone has integrated its smart-sensing tire technologies into Kodiak’s autonomous trucks and have integrated smart tire technologies to further enhance vehicle intelligence for a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mobility future. Bridgestone is also Kodiak’s exclusive tire supplier.