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Kodiak Robotics is positioning itself to become publicly traded by entering into a definitive business combination agreement with special purpose acquisition company Ares Acquisition.

Bulk carrier Atlas Energy Solutions began shipments of proppant on two driverless trucks equipped with self-driving technology from Kodiak Robotics recently, the companies said.

As autonomous truck developers move ­closer to deploying fully driverless on-highway tractors, they are also pioneering a set of new, specialized job functions.

Atlas Energy plans to deploy self-driving trucks developed by Kodiak Robotics for delivery of fracking sand to Permian Basin oil and natural gas wells in Texas beginning in early 2025.

Artur Express plans to operate 100 sleeper trucks with Kodiak Robotics’ self-driving truck technology installed in a partnership between the companies, they said.

Kodiak Robotics’ autonomous semis are carrying loads for logistics group Martin-Brower Co. on routes between Dallas and Oklahoma City, the companies said Feb. 29.

Kodiak Robotics opened a second truck port for its autonomous semis at a Ryder System Inc. fleet maintenance facility in Houston, the companies said Jan. 23.

Kodiak Robotics introduced what it billed as the world’s first driverless-ready semi-truck designed for scaled deployment at CES in Las Vegas this week.

A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, the maritime shipping giant that has been diversifying into land transportation, is betting that driverless trucks will help make deliveries more reliable.

Kodiak Robotics Inc. is set to equip 800 trucks with self-driving technology for Loadsmith, a third-party Capacity-as-a-Service logistics provider, the companies said.