Daimler Tests Automated Trucks on Public Roads in the US

   By Max Bernhard

Daimler AG's (DAI.XE) truck division has started testing automated trucks on public roads in Virginia, the company said Monday.

The German auto maker said it is developing and testing automated trucks with "SAE Level 4 intent technology" on highways in southwest Virginia, together with Torc Robotics, in which it recently acquired a majority stake.

The Society of Automotive Engineers defines automation levels from zero to five, where vehicles with SAE level 4 autonomy are fully self-driving under certain conditions, while a vehicle with level 5 autonomy would be fully self-driving under all conditions.

"All automated runs require both 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," Daimler said.

Daimler said in March that it would take a majority stake in Torc Robotics as part of a partnership to commercialize highly automated trucks in the U.S.

Daimler said then that the Virginia-based company will remain a separate entity and keep its name, team, customers, and facilities, under the deal. On Monday, the company said that Torc is now a part of Daimler Trucks's newly established Autonomous Technology Group.

Write to Max Bernhard at max.bernhard@dowjones.com; @mxbernhard

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 09, 2019 04:55 ET (08:55 GMT)

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