In their third year of collaboration, Torc Robotics and Daimler Truck are working to commercialize the first scalable, profitable Level 4 autonomous truck that is aimed to help fleets improve their operations. Torc is testing the Level 4 trucks on public roads in Virginia, New Mexico, and Texas, with continued route expansion in the works.
Through the partnership, the two companies are pursuing a "focused, safety-oriented approach." According to Peter Vaughan Schmidt, head of the autonomous technology group at Daimler Truck, introducing technology into an existing infrastructure, where human drivers will share the road with automated trucks, requires credibility and responsibility.
“As the inventor of the truck, Daimler Truck has many decades of experience in testing and validation of commercial vehicles,” Vaughan Schmidt said. “Nevertheless, to develop a safe autonomous Level 4 truck remains a complex task and resembles a marathon, not a sprint. Two years together with Torc Robotics, we have accomplished a lot, collaboratively pursuing a common goal of leading the logistics sector into the future and making road traffic safer for society.”
Expanded real-world testing
Daimler Truck and Torc formed their alliance when Daimler invested in a majority share in Torc in August 2019. Torc operates as an independent subsidiary and serves as the lead for autonomous system development, innovation, and testing with Daimler Truck's internal self-driving truck efforts.
In addition to testing in other regions, Torc manages a fully operational test facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, running multiple routes and shifts each day. Last year, Torc expanded on-road testing in the Southwest into Texas. Additional routes are planned and based on major freight haulage.
