(From left-right) Torc Robotics CEO Michael Fleming and Daimler Trucks CEO Roger Nielsen image: Daimler

Daimler Trucks has reached a deal to acquire a majority stake in Torc Robotics – a Blacksburg, Virginia based self-driving company founded in 2005 – for an undisclosed sum. Both parties will join forces to work on commercialisation of automated trucks on U.S. roads. Torc’s team will collaborate with Daimler Trucks’ developers, particularly its R&D team in the state of Oregon for this.

Torc will continue to develop the Asimov automated driving software it’s known for at its Virginia facility. It’ll still remain a separate entity maintaining its name, team, facilities and existing customers in the state of Virginia. The partnership with Daimler will enable it significantly expand its team and service its customer base in other markets, a press release noted.

A Torc self-driving vehicle image: Torc Robotics

Torc Robotics with around 100 employees currently offers an automated driving software solution that’s used in self-driving cars and transit vehicles. The company also provides self-driving technology for areas of defense, agriculture and mining.

The company has tested self-driving vehicles on both public roads and controlled courses in more than 20 U.S. states. Testing has included a coast-to-coast trip across the U.S. and in densely packed streets such as those in the city of Las Vegas, Torc says. The likes of construction machinery manufacturer Caterpillar and public transport company Transdev have partnered with Torc Robotics for automated driving.

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