What’s Happening
Torc Robotics, a Daimler Truck AG subsidiary, is collaborating with premier transportation company C.R. England to launch a pilot program integrating C.R. England’s temperature-controlled loads with Torc’s SAE Level 4 autonomous test trucks for long-haul applications. This partnership aims to expand Torc’s support to carriers in the refrigerated freight market.
Why It Matters
The joint pilot program will provide select customers with temperature-controlled capacity and world-class service, offering valuable insights to guide the development and commercialization of autonomous trucks for long-haul applications. Initial planning for the pilot is set to begin mid-2023, with on-road tests to follow shortly after.
Key Points
- Joanna Buttler, Head of Autonomous Technology Group at Daimler Truck, highlights the importance of customer-focused collaboration to understand business requirements and integrate with fleet industry logistics.
- Torc Robotics CEO Peter Vaughan Schmidt expresses enthusiasm for partnering with C.R. England, emphasizing the pilot’s potential to improve long-haul trucking safety and contribute to safety and validation efforts for autonomous trucking.
- C.R. England CEO Chad England believes that the innovative technology will enable the expansion of their network safely while enhancing the quality of existing driver jobs by adding autonomous lanes and creating more structured jobs at both ends of autonomous runs.
Bottom Line
This pilot program with C.R. England is Torc’s second announced carrier pilot, following its recent acquisition of Algolux for its computer vision and machine learning expertise. The strategic collaboration between Torc Robotics and C.R. England demonstrates the industry’s commitment to advancing autonomous trucking technology, with the potential to revolutionize long-haul applications and improve safety and efficiency in the transportation sector.