Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics are actively developing and testing automated trucks with SAE Level 4 intent technology on public roads.

The initial routes are on highways in southwest Virginia, where Torc Robotics is headquartered. All automated runs require both an engineer overseeing the system and a safety driver certified by Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics. All safety drivers hold a commercial driver’s license and are trained in vehicle dynamics and automated systems. The deployment on public roads takes place after months of testing and safety validation on a closed-loop track, Daimler says.

Torc Robotics is now a part of the recently established Autonomous Technology Group of Daimler Trucks.

Within the Autonomous Technology Group, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is building an infrastructure required for the operational testing of initial application cases. This consists of a main control center and logistics hubs. These hubs are located along high-density freight corridors where many customers operate and within close proximity of interstates and highways. 

The DTNA team is working on a truck chassis suited for highly automated driving, particularly the redundancy of systems needed to provide reliability and safety, the company notes.