embark trucks inc is merging with a specialpurpose acquisition company to go public in a deal that values the selfdriving truck startup at about 52 billion the companies said founded in 2016 embark says it is the oldest us selfdriving truck software firm and aims to partner with shippers to bring down carrier costs and make roads safer the company has partnerships with a number of transportation companies and brands including beer seller anheuserbusch inbev sa technology firm hp inc and knightswift transportation holdings inc the largest truckload carrier in north america