Torc Robotics Opens Tech Development Center in Germany
April 6, 2022
Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck that is working on autonomous trucking, has announced opening a technology and software development center in Stuttgart, Germany. Torc Europe GmbH said it will tap into the available talent pool in one of Germany’s prime automotive development regions, as well as support ongoing development of Level 4 virtual driver technology for deployment in autonomous trucks in the U.S.
“Torc is working closely with Daimler Truck to optimize the entire product stack including the virtual driver, sensing and computer hardware, and the redundant chassis to be the first company to launch a scalable and profitable self-driving product,” said Michael Fleming, founder and CEO of Torc Robotics. “Torc’s Stuttgart technology and software development center will leverage the deep automotive and trucking technical and product expertise to make this a reality.”
Torc said the Europe company is an independent entity and a 100% subsidiary of Torc Robotics. The office is in Untertürkheim, close to an existing Daimler Truck R&D facility and near Daimler truck headquarters. The 18,000-square-foot technology center has an additional 12,000 square feet that will be used as a workshop, the company said.
“Stuttgart is known as an area with a wealth of automotive and autonomous vehicle expertise,” said Mike Avitabile, vice president of engineering at Torc. “Collaboration thrives because of the partnership with Daimler Truck, a leader in the trucking industry. Combining Daimler Truck’s experience with Torc’s expertise in automated vehicle software and automated truck systems will help accelerate bringing our product to market.”
Daimler Truck invested a majority share in Torc in 2019, the first autonomous vehicle company to enter an integrated partnership with a truck OEM. Torc and Daimler Truck, with its North American entity, said they are ramping up development and testing in the U.S., which requires support in areas such as simulation, machine learning, and infrastructure.
In addition to the new facility in Stuttgart, Torc said it recently opened a 20,000-square-foot facility in Austin, Texas. In 2021, the company added a 28,000-square-foot office space in Blacksburg, Va. A fully operational test facility in Albuquerque, N.M., opened in 2020, which allows daily, multi-shift runs of Torc’s autonomous trucks on highways in New Mexico and Texas.
For more details on the company, visit the Torc Robotics website here.
