USA / Germany - Daimler Trucks North America Inc (DTNA) of Portland, Oregon and Torc Robotics of Blackburgs, USA (a remote-control, digital-control, and autonomous robotics technologies and systems provider and subsidiary of Daimler) are actively developing and testing automated trucks with SAE Level 4 intent technology on public roads. The initial routes are on highways in southwest Virginia, near where Torc Robotics is headquartered. All automated trial runs require both an engineer overseeing the system and a highly trained safety driver certified by Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics. All safety drivers hold a commercial driver’s licence and are specially trained in vehicle dynamics and automated systems.

Deployment on public roads follows months of extensive testing and safety validation on a closed loop track, stated Daimler. As part of the comprehensive safety process by Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics, both test track and on-road validation play an integral role in establishing the essential building blocks for successfully advancing automated technology.