Daimler Trucks to acquire majority stake in Torc Robotics to create technology powerhouse for automated trucks
The Torc team will work closely with Daimler Trucks’ team to develop its Asimov self-driving software and testing.
Daimler Trucks, a Portland, Ore.-based division of the Daimler Group, announced a majority stake in Torc Robotics, Blacksburg, Va., to develop what is said to be a one-of-a-kind combination to commercialize highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) on U.S. roads.
“With the ever-rising demand for road transportation, not the least through e-commerce, there is a strong business case for self-driving trucks in the U.S. market, and I believe the fastest path to commercialization for self-driving trucks is in partnership with Daimler Trucks, the OEM market leader. This move is in line with our mission of saving lives, and represents another major milestone for Torc since crossing the finish line in the DARPA Urban Challenge 12 years ago,” says Michael Fleming, chief executive officer of Torc.