Uber Freight, Torc to Accelerate Self-Driving Truck Development

Torc Robotics has agreed to a strategic partnership with Uber Freight to support the development of its autonomous trucks.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Virginia-based company – a subsidiary of Daimler Truck – will leverage Uber Freight’s logistics network to guide the future deployment of its self-driving heavy goods vehicles.

Uber Freight’s network, which connects trucks with shippers, is among the most comprehensive in the world, representing $18 billion in active freight under management and with more than 100,000 digitally enabled carriers.

According to Torc, insights from Uber Freight will be used to inform how it builds its autonomous freight network in the most commercially viable way. Areas of particular interest will be how to choose the optimal lanes for deployment; how to prioritize the order of roll out; and how to manage loads on autonomous trucks via transfer hubs.

Torc’s self-driving tech incorporates cameras, lidar, radar and high-definition mapping. As it has gradually evolved its business, it has formed partnerships with some key players in the freight industry, including Schneider and C.R. England, both of whom it has conducted pilots with.

Alongside Penske, Ryder and Uber Freight, these two companies sit on a panel of experts (the Torc Autonomous Advisory Council, or TAAC) which is providing guidance to Torc. 

Related:Self-Driving Trucks Pilot Planned by Daimler Company

According to Peter Vaughan Schmidt, Torc’s CEO, this collaborative approach is essential for the successful commercialization of autonomous trucking.

“[It] is paramount to the technology’s deployment at scale,” he said. “Our partnership with Uber Freight is a prime example of how working together with industry players will ensure the technology is integrated seamlessly, safely and efficiently. Leveraging Uber Freight’s data and insights will help our mission to commercialize autonomous trucks at scale by 2027.”

Lior Ron, Uber Freight founder and CEO, added: “In partnering with Torc, we’re able to provide a leader in this space with rich insights regarding how goods move, which in turn will result not only in more access to safer autonomous trucks but ultimately build more reliable and efficient supply chains.”  

Uber Freight has emerged as a leading network for autonomous truck development after establishing a series of collaborations over the past couple of years.

It has enjoyed a successful partnership with Aurora Innovation – including an extended pilot over last year's Christmas holiday season – as well as working with Waabi, Volvo and Waymo.

Related:Uber Freight, Aurora Expand Self-Driving Pilot for Holiday Rush