Chris Harrison Joins Torc as Vice President of Platform Development 

(Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 15, 2022) Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has named Chris Harrison vice president of Torc Platform Development. With 20+ years of experience in vehicle development, Harrison will lead the development, testing, and implementation of a hardware stack that enables the migration of the autonomous driving software onto the hardware platform.

Harrison was most recently head of software, segment vehicle dynamics, safety, and motion, automotive for Continental AG, where he led nine global locations and more than 1,200 people working towards deploying electronic brake systems in all markets.

With a comprehensive understanding of the engineering development life cycle, Harrison will lead a team to develop and evaluate sensors and their requirements. The team will work closely with Daimler Truck North America to integrate the Torc autonomous driver platform into the truck for production. In addition, his team will construct test tools like Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulators and benches to ensure a platform where the teams can test continuously. Torc is currently running its Level 4 autonomous test trucks on public roads in multiple locations including New Mexico, Texas, and Virginia, with plans to expand in the southwest corridor of the U.S.

After spending the past seven years working abroad in China and Germany, Harrison is returning to the U.S. with a newly honed global perspective. He will be based in Torc’s Austin, Texas, location.

“I look forward to working with the software development divisions at Torc to integrate this innovative, lifesaving software onto the platform.” said Harrison. “Torc’s technology will make transporting freight safer and more efficient, and I’m honored to contribute to that effort.”

About Torc Robotics

Torc Robotics, headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, a global leader and pioneer in trucking. Founded in 2005 at the birth of the self-driving vehicle revolution, Torc has 17 years of experience in pioneering safety-critical, self-driving applications. Torc offers a complete self-driving vehicle software and integration solution and is currently focusing on commercializing autonomous trucks for long-haul applications in the U.S. Torc operates test facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and engineering offices in Austin, Texas, and Stuttgart, Germany. Torc’s mission is saving lives with autonomous technology, which incorporates reducing highway deaths, enabling critical supplies – including medicines and foods – to reach every community in a timely manner, and helping the transportation industry increase fuel economy, uptime, and capacity.

Media contact: Laura Lawton, 408-505-5820