Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics have begun testing autonomous trucks on public roads in Virginia.

The trucks, with SAE Level 4 intent technology is being tested on highways in southwest Virginia, where Torc Robotics is headquartered. All automated runs require 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 license and are specially trained in vehicle dynamics and automated systems.

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

Martin Daum, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, responsible for Trucks & Buses, said: “Bringing Level 4 trucks to the public roads is a major step toward our goal to deliver reliable and safe trucks for the benefits of our customers, our economies and society.”

In addition, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is focusing on further evolving automated driving technology and vehicle integration for heavy-duty trucks. The DTNA team is working on a truck chassis perfectly suited for highly automated driving, particularly the redundancy of systems needed to provide reliability and safety.