Daimler AG's subsidiary, Daimler Trucks North America LLC, said Sept. 9 it has started testing automated trucks on public highways in southwest Virginia in partnership with Torc Robotics.
The companies are developing and testing automated trucks with SAE Level 4 intent technology. Under the pilot in southwest Virginia, where Torc Robotics is headquartered, an engineer oversees the automated trucks, alongside a safety driver who is specially trained in vehicle dynamics and automated systems.
Daimler said the deployment on public roads follows months of extensive testing and safety validation on a closed-loop track.
Torc Robotics is now part of Daimler Trucks' newly established Autonomous Technology Group. When Daimler Trucks agreed to buy a majority stake in Torc Robotics in March, the parties agreed to keep Torc Robotics a separate entity retaining its name, team, existing customers and facilities in Blacksburg, Va.
Daimler Trucks North America is also building an infrastructure required for the operational testing of initial application cases within the Autonomous Technology Group, according to the latest release.
The unit's infrastructure will include a main control center and logistics hubs that are close to interstates and highways.
