MRRPhysical AI
intelligence
← Company intelligence

Robot maker · registered

Kodama Systems

Corporate marketconstructionCurated record
kodama.ai

Forestry robotics platform that converts commercial logging skidders into autonomous and teleoperated 'robo-skidders' via the RS1 Autopilot retrofit kit. Uses cameras and lidar for forest navigation on steep, rocky slopes; supports both full teleoperation (98% of work) and autonomous skidding along known trails. Operates under USDA Forest Service contracts for forest-thinning and wildfire-prevention projects. Revenue model is skidding-as-a-service (paid per tonne or per acre thinned).

HeadquartersSonora, US
Founded2021
Corporate funding$14M
Team11-50
Deployments4
Open roles0
01

Company overview

Identity and operating footprint

Company typeRobot maker
Market segmentCorporate
StageSeries A
FoundersMerritt Jenkins (CEO), Matt Verminski (CTO)
Regions servedNorth America
Countries deployedUS
Service footprintHQ Sonora, CA (Sierra Nevada foothills); operations in California national forests; southeastern US expansion planned
Last reviewed2026-07-05
XNot listed
MX

Robot models

Specifications remain vendor-claimed

Machineconstruction

RS1 Autopilot

  • Retrofit kit transforming standard CAT/John Deere skidders into teleoperated/autonomous robo-skidders; camera + lidar navigation; designed for steep terrain up to >30° slope

    vendor-stated product capability

    Claim source
DP

Deployment log

Announced and cited only

AnnouncedCustomerSiteCountryCountEvidence
2025-10-08USDA Forest Service, Lassen National Forest (Park Fire burn scar)post-fire salvage logging and forest restorationUSNot disclosedAnnouncement
2024-10-01Weyerhaeusercommercial forestryUSNot disclosedAnnouncement
2024-10-01Weiler Forestryforestry teleoperation platformUSNot disclosedAnnouncement
2023-10-01USDA Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest thinning projectcommercial forest thinning (wildfire mitigation)US1Announcement
CA

Funding history

Publicly announced rounds

Investors on recordBreakthrough Energy VenturesCongruent VenturesAlumni VenturesBreakwater Ventures ManagementDangerous VenturesKonvoy VenturesNYA Ventures
NW

Network neighbours

Open full graph ↗
TeleoDeploys · Robot maker
TL

Company timeline

Milestones and announcements

2025-10-08Raised $7M Series A; running Autopilot on Park Fire burn scar in Lassen National ForestThe Robot Report
2023-10-01First paid deployment: RS1 Autopilot operated on USDA Forest Service thinning project in Stanislaus National Forest; skidder autonomously dragged timber bundles to project landingThe Robot Report
2022-12-01Raised $6.6M Seed round co-led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Congruent VenturesPRNewswire
SC

Source ledger

6 unique public sources

01
Kodama Systems uses robotics to mitigate wildfire riskThe Robot Report · retrieved 2026-07-05
02
RBR50 Spotlight: Kodama Systems uses robotics to prevent wildfiresThe Robot Report · retrieved 2026-07-05
03
Kodama Systems Raises $6.6M Series Seed to Accelerate Forest Restoration and Carbon StoragePR Newswire · retrieved 2026-07-05
04
Kodama Systems TechnologyKodama Systems · retrieved 2026-07-05
05
Kodama Partners with Weyerhaeuser on Forestry InnovationLinkedIn / Kodama Systems · retrieved 2026-07-05
06
Kodama Systems unveils machine teleoperation platform at American Loggers Council in collaboration with Weiler ForestryForestNet · retrieved 2026-07-05