Autonomous Vehicle Pioneers: Zoox, Torc, Daimler, Waymo, TIER IV, TRATON, Scania, MAN, International, dSPACE, and AWS
Autonomous Trucks and Robotaxis Take Big Strides Forward
In the world of autonomous vehicles, progress is being made at a rapid pace. Here's a roundup of the latest developments in the industry.
Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, is leading the charge in autonomous trucking. They have launched Beta 5.0 of their Level 4 autonomous driving software, SuperDriveTM, which is now operational in autonomous trucks in Europe and the U.S. As part of their ambitious plans, Torc is collaborating with C.R. England, a large refrigerated freight carrier, on a pilot program aimed at integrating autonomous trucks into fleet logistics. The pilot started planning in mid-2023 with on-road tests soon after and ongoing data collection aimed at safety validation and commercialization within this decade. Torc has also opened a new $5.6 million engineering center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, focused on autonomous truck software and hardware development. Their goal is to build up to a million autonomous trucks and create 500 jobs at this facility in the coming years.
Daimler Truck, beyond Torc Robotics, has introduced “autonomous-ready” Freightliner trucks equipped with advanced 4D lidar sensors from Aeva, now operating on public roads in testing or pilot stages.
Meanwhile, Traton Group (the parent company of Scania, MAN, and International Truck) is unifying its global R&D operations to accelerate development efforts in autonomous technologies. This consolidation involves engineers across Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, aiming to leverage synergies for autonomous truck technology development. While specific timelines for commercial deployment from Scania, MAN, and International are not detailed, the unification of R&D indicates active development with a long-term strategic focus.
In the realm of robotaxis, Zoox is making significant strides. Operating during the busiest 16 hours of each day, Zoox's vehicles will initially cover a range of destinations, with plans to expand from SoMa into other Bay Area cities. By 2026, Zoox aims to scale up production and deploy the vehicles on a larger scale. The company is launching an "explorer" program for early riders, who will have the chance to ride in the robotaxis for free before the service opens to paying customers.
Zoox's vehicles will initially provide rides for Zoox employees, with several dozen robotaxis operating across geofenced areas in Foster City, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. The company claims that they have achieved the internal safety readiness required to launch the service.
In a related development, GelSight and Meta AI have unveiled Digit 360, a new fingertip-shaped tactile sensor that captures touch data with human-like precision. This sensor will support developments in robotics, medicine, VR, and more, enhancing robot dexterity, and enabling applications in complex object handling. Meta AI will open-source all designs and code for Digit 360, with GelSight targeting wide availability next year for the research community.
Finally, TIER IV's autonomous bus system, AI Pilot, has received Japan's first-ever Level 4 certification for operation on public roads. The bus will serve Shiojiri, a city in Nagano Prefecture, shuttling passengers between Shiojiri Station and Shiojiri City Hall.
In conclusion, Torc Robotics is furthest along in on-road autonomous truck pilots in the U.S., with ongoing development and planned commercialization by around 2030. Daimler’s Freightliner brand is also testing autonomous-ready trucks. Scania, MAN, and International are consolidating research efforts toward autonomous trucking but have not announced specific commercial deployment dates yet. In the realm of robotaxis, Zoox is leading the charge, with plans to expand their operations in the coming months and years.
- Technology advancements are evident in the autonomous trucking sector, as Torc Robotics, an subsidiary of Daimler Truck, develops and deploys its Level 4 autonomous driving software, SuperDriveTM, in Europe and the U.S.
- In the realm of robotaxis, Zoox's vehicles are powered by technology that enables them to operate during peak hours and cover a range of destinations, with plans for larger-scale deployment by 2026.
