Daimler Trucks acquires majority stake in Torc Robotics

2069 Daimler Trucks has acquired a majority stake in Torc Robotics in a bid to commercialise highly automated trucks operating at 567 SAE Level 4 on US roads.

Roger Nielsen, CEO of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), says: “Torc’s Level 4 system has been shown to operate well for both urban and highway driving in rain, snow, fog, and sunshine.”

Martin Daum, member of the board of management at Daimler, says the deal will combine the company’s truck hardware with Torc’s “agile software development”.

Torc is expected to work closely with DTNA’s research and development team in Portland, Oregon, where DTNA focuses on further evolving automated driving technology and vehicle integration for heavy-duty trucks.

Torc will continue to develop its Asimov self-driving software and testing at its facility in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The company will retain its name, team, existing customers and facilities in Blacksburg. The closing of the deal is subject to approval from US authorities.