Torc Robotics

Torc Robotics (Torc) is an American autonomous-driving software company serving the freight industry and is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck.^[2] The company is headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, with operations in Ann Arbor, Michigan,^[3] Austin, Texas,^[2] Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas,^[4] and Montréal, Quebec, Canada.^[5] Torc tests autonomous trucks in Virginia and Texas and is pursuing a commercialization strategy initially focused on developing SAE International Level 4 self-driving trucks a single platform—the Daimler Freightliner Cascadia—in the United States.^[6]

In 2025, Torc announced a revised growth strategy emphasizing expansion of its autonomous truck hub in Texas and strengthening its technology footprint in Michigan. Operations at its Albuquerque, New Mexico, test site and Stuttgart, Germany technology hub were phased out in the first half of the year.^[7]

Torc emphasizes that its autonomous driving technology is not designed as an aftermarket retrofit but is being developed within Daimler Truck’s OEM framework, integrating the virtual driver, sensors, and supporting systems into the vehicle platform.^[6]

In 2005, the company was founded by a group of Virginia Tech graduate students, including former Torc CEO Michael Fleming, Ben Hastings, and Mike Avitabile.^[8] Torc partnered with Virginia Tech to compete in the 2007 Urban Challenge,^[9] hosted by DARPA. Torc's Ford Escape vehicle, nicknamed Odin, placed third out of 35 teams, winning a US$500,000 prize.^[10]

In 2010, Torc partnered with a robotics team at Virginia Tech to develop a vehicle for the National Federation of the Blind's Blind Driver Challenge.^[11] The team received National Instruments' 2010 Application of the Year for the project.^[12] Using a Ford Escape, Torc implemented its ByWire drive-by-wire modules, Safestop wireless emergency stop system, and PowerHub distribution modules on the vehicle.^[13] On January 29, 2011, a blind driver independently drove Torc's vehicle on the road course at the Daytona Speedway.^[14]

In 2012, Torc researchers participated in the DARPA Robotics Challenge with Team ViGIR (Virginia–Germany Interdisciplinary Robotics Team).^[15] The team advanced to the finals.^[16]

Torc's technology was used in military and heavy industrial applications globally. One such vehicle was GUSS (Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate), an autonomous vehicle used to carry equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps.^[17] Torc also developed a sensor-fusion system for the U.S. Department of Defense to increase high-speed obstacle detection, classification, and prediction.^[18] In 2012, Torc's autonomous vehicle for AFRL demonstrated expedient runway surveys, soil-hardness measurement, terrain data collection, and hazard reporting.^[19] Torc also developed a remote-control solution for hazardous mining areas.^[20]

In 2015, Torc participated in a five-vehicle platoon test with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration’s Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory.^[21] In July 2017, Torc registered with Washington state's Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Program and completed a 4,300-mile autonomous cross-country trip in Richmond, Virginia.^[22][23]

On March 29, 2019, Daimler AG, through Daimler Trucks North America, announced it would acquire a majority stake in Torc Robotics.^[24] In September 2019, Torc and Daimler Truck began testing Level 4 trucks on public roads in Virginia,^[25] and Daimler Trucks North America developed a chassis with redundant capabilities for self-driving trucks.^[26] In 2020, Torc opened a test center in Albuquerque for automated runs on New Mexico highways, later extending to Texas.^[27]

During 2021, Torc added partners including Amazon Web Services (preferred cloud provider),^[28] Luminar Technologies to explore lidar technologies,^[29] and Applied Intuition for simulation tools.^[30] In 2022, Torc opened an engineering office in Austin, Texas,^[31] and a technology and development center in Stuttgart, Germany; that same year, Penske Truck Leasing became the maintenance provider for Torc's autonomous test fleet.^[32][33] In February 2023, Torc signed an agreement to acquire Montréal-based Algolux for its computer-vision and machine-learning capabilities.^[34]

In April 2025, Torc appointed Steve Kenner—an automotive and autonomous systems safety leader with nearly four decades of experience at organizations such as General Motors, Uber, and Cruise LLC—as its Chief Safety Officer. Kenner leads Torc’s global safety programs, ensuring that safety is embedded across every phase from development to deployment, and serves as Torc’s representative to federal and state agencies.^[35]

Torc also established a Driverless Safety Case Framework, whose “Evidence Sufficiency Criteria” are being independently assessed by safety-critical systems expert firm Edge Case. This collaboration reinforces compliance with AVSC Best Practices and the Open Autonomy Safety Case (OASC) guidance, bolstering transparency and readiness for commercialization.^[36]

Torc’s approach to AI safety extends to advanced techniques such as Machine Learning FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), developed in collaboration with TÜV Rheinland. Presented at the 2025 SAE World Congress, this framework adapts traditional FMEA practices to machine learning models to identify vulnerabilities and reduce risks in AI systems used for autonomous trucking.^[37]

Through these multi-layered safety efforts—leadership, structured frameworks, independent validation, and AI risk management—Torc continues to reinforce its commitment to bringing safe, reliable, and commercially viable autonomous trucks to market.

Torc’s autonomous driving system is built in the Freightliner Cascadia platform, in collaboration with Daimler Truck for redundancy in critical systems such as steering, braking, and power distribution. The sensor suite includes radar and lidar, imaging radar, and long-range lidar developed through Luminar, providing multi-modal perception for highway operations.^[6]

In 2024, Torc appointed Summer Craze Fowler as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), with responsibility for enterprise cybersecurity, product security, and risk management across its autonomous-truck development and operations. Fowler’s remit includes security governance, incident response, and safeguarding data and systems that support Torc’s automated driving stack and fleet operations.^[38]

In February 2023, Torc acquired Montréal-based computer vision company Algolux to strengthen its perception capabilities. Algolux was founded in 2014 by Felix Heide and Jonathan Assouline to enhance image quality and perception in mobile optics, defense, and adverse weather conditions, setting it apart with deep learning–based AI imaging solutions.^[39]

Following the acquisition, Algolux co-founder Felix Heide, an assistant professor of Computer Science at Princeton University, assumed the role of Head of AI at Torc Robotics. Heide brings extensive expertise in computational imaging, optics, and machine learning to lead integration of perception systems in Torc’s autonomous driving stack.^[40]Torc integrated Algolux’s computer-vision stack to enhance perception and scene understanding.^[34]

In October 2020, Daimler Trucks (then part of Daimler AG) announced a strategic partnership with Luminar Technologies, including a minority equity investment, to co-develop long-range lidar tailored for highway-speed SAE International Level 4 automated trucking; Torc participates via Daimler Truck’s Autonomous Technology Group.^[41][42]

In January 2024, Daimler Truck and Torc selected Aeva as a production supplier of 4D lidar for autonomous Freightliner Cascadia tractors, with series production targeted for 2026–2027.^[43]

In 2025, Daimler Truck North America and Aeva expanded the collaboration with funding to scale manufacturing capacity, and the first Cascadia units equipped with Aeva sensors began public-road operations in Texas.^[44][45]

In 2025, Torc introduced its AI-powered software framework branded as AV 3.0.^[46] The system builds on generative artificial intelligence, reinforcement learning, and neural rendering to train and validate Torc’s “Virtual Driver.” According to the company, this approach allows its autonomous driving software to experience billions of simulated miles, including rare “edge cases,” before vehicles are deployed on public roads.^[46]

AV 3.0 emphasizes end-to-end learning, algorithmic redundancy, and the integration of multiple sensor modalities. Torc states that this framework enhances its ability to adapt to new road environments, improve decision-making in real time, and scale its technology for large freight operations.^[46]

The platform runs on embedded compute hardware provided by Flex Ltd. Jupiter and powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AGX technology. It is factory-integrated into the fifth-generation autonomous-ready Freightliner Cascadia developed by Daimler Truck, which accounts for a significant share of the U.S. Class 8 trucking market.^[46]

In 2022, Torc formally partnered with Penske Truck Leasing, which provides full-service maintenance and strategic operational guidance through the Torc Autonomous Advisory Council.^[33]

To strengthen internal reliability, Torc also adopted eMaint X5, a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) in 2023. The platform centralized asset information, standardized preventive maintenance workflows, and enabled technicians to log issues in real time via a mobile app. Integrated business-intelligence dashboards further allowed Torc to identify recurring fault patterns and improve predictive maintenance. According to the company, these measures cut downtime by as much as 50 percent, while also streamlining employee training and documenting vehicle inspection procedures.^[47]

Torc’s leadership team includes:^[48]

• Peter Vaughan Schmidt – Chief Executive Officer
• Andrew Culhane – Chief Commercial Officer
• C.J. King – Chief Technology Officer
• Felix Heide – Head of AI
• Richard Kannan – Chief Financial Officer
• Steve Kenner – Chief Safety Officer
• Sheila Scanlon – Chief Product Officer
• Summer Craze Fowler – Chief Information Security Officer
• Greg Hoffman – Chief Transformation Officer & Chief Legal Officer
• Jamie Swaim – Chief People Officer
• Kayla Smith – Chief of Staff to the CEO

Torc provides an Emergency Response Guide for law enforcement, fire, and EMS who may encounter freight vehicles equipped with its Automated Driving System (ADS). These documents help responders identify ADS-equipped trucks—typically Freightliner Cascadia tractors with distinctive sensor-mounted "brows" and USDOT/VIN markings—and outline steps for safely disabling the system and handling emergencies. Physical copies of the guide are located inside the doors of these trucks.^[49]

Torc also advances practical training with first responder agencies. In 2025, instructors from Torc delivered training to more than 150 first responders across 33 Texas agencies—including the Fort Worth Police Department and Waco Police Department—focused on autonomous truck operations and emergency protocols. Torc plans to extend this program along its operational corridors.^[50]

Beyond first responder engagement, Torc participates in broader public education and regulatory efforts. In October 2025, Torc joined the nonprofit coalition Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) and industry peers to co-host *Autonomous Trucking Weekend* at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, alongside the Texas Department of Transportation.^[51] The 2,500-square-foot exhibit featured autonomous trucks on display, hands-on demonstrations, and educational programming designed to familiarize the public with the technology’s capabilities, safety features, and economic impact.

Torc CEO Peter Vaughan Schmidt emphasized that education is “the cornerstone of autonomous trucking awareness,” highlighting the company’s commitment to public transparency and collaboration with local governments as driverless operations expand in Texas.^[51]