The future of everyday technology is full of innovations taken straight out of The Jetsons. But from 3D-printed food to robot butlers, we’re not so far from that sci-fi idea of what tomorrow looks like. Today, we ask our smart assistants to play our favorite songs and program our robot vacuums to clean the house while we’re at work. Our future, and our present, is full of these kinds of forward-thinking inventions, including self-driving vehicles.
While self-driving vehicles are still a ways out from becoming flying cars, autonomous transportation is rapidly becoming part of our current lives. In fact, many cars on the road currently have some degree of autonomy – and we’re not just talking about luxury autopilot features.
Programs like lane-keep assist and cruise control are all considered Level One Autonomy, or assisted driving. These days, cars with Level One autonomous functions are very, very common; it’s likely that you’ve driven one yourself. And as for Level Two Autonomy, wherein vehicles control both steering and accelerating/decelerating, there are a few cars on the road with this function, albeit their numbers are rapidly rising as autonomous technology becomes more affordable.
We might have autonomous vehicles now, but are autonomous vehicles the future? Will that Jetsons-esque future become our everyday?
Let’s Explore: Autonomous Trucking
At Torc Robotics, we’ve been in the autonomous technology world since 2005. As seasoned veterans in the self-driving world, we whole-heartedly believe that autonomous vehicles are the future. We believe that autonomous trucking will be one of the first forms of self-driving to make it to the market, with Torc trucks at the head of the pack.
Autonomous trucks, like the ones we’re developing at Torc, are the most viable form of self-driving technology due to a host of reasons, but some of the most apparent are our trucks’ addition of lidar and radar in combination with a full camera suite. When added to a Class 8 truck, these features allow our vehicles to understand what’s in the surrounding environment in real-time.
And while autonomous driving systems will certainly make the roads safer for all, autonomous trucking adds a layer of usefulness that personal self-driving cars aren’t geared towards. From strengthening supply chains to driving down the cost of goods, trucks like ours will create a better future in countless ways.
So, are autonomous trucks the future? Yes! Once it’s safe for driver-out vehicles to put tires to the pavement, you can expect autonomous trucks to carry goods to-and-from shipping hubs across the country.
Let’s Explore: Autonomous Cars
In the past few years, autonomous cars have exploded onto the scene. Although there are some flashy headlines and sleek cars rolling out onto city streets, are autonomous cars the future?
Autonomous cars are certainly probable and possible; we’ll likely see Level Four autonomy on our streets in the near future. Thanks to algorithmic precision and sensors far better than the human eye, these cars will make our roads safer. They’ll also be more efficient thanks to carefully managed gas consumption, eco-friendly decision-making, and more.
However, the cost of hardware is currently a huge challenge for the kinds of cars that we park in our driveways. From high-performance computing to mass-market manufacturing, it’s difficult to create a self-driving car that is safe, affordable, and maintainable for the average person. That’s not to say that it’ll never happen – it’ll just take some time before technology catches up to affordability. For now, those looking for a self-driving vehicle can look towards the various Level Two autonomous cars currently available.
Other Considerations: Software, Weather, and More
An autonomous vehicle, whether it’s a self-driving truck or a self-driving car, is an amalgamation of sensors, algorithms, processors, and more. At autonomous driving companies like Torc, we’re working to develop software that combines these elements in seamless, sophisticated ways. We’re laser-focused on developing trucks that operate autonomously in a few particular use cases: for example, in ideal weather conditions.
You might’ve heard that autonomous driving systems are still tackling the inclement weather challenge. While autonomous vehicles use a variety of sensors, cold inclement weather is still something the industry has yet to solve. Therefore, self-driving vehicles will likely launch in the Sunbelt region of the United States, where the weather is mostly temperate and snow isn’t a concern. However, we don’t expect snow to be an issue for long; there are promising solutions on the horizon, including ground-penetrating radar and other forms of localization methods. With so many developers working in a fast-paced, innovative industry, it’s only a matter of time before today’s problems become tomorrow’s footnotes.
So, Are Autonomous Vehicles the Future?
Yes. Autonomous vehicles are the future, just as they’re part of our present. As the autonomous driving industry continues to race towards self-driving solutions, we’re excited to see where the future leads us.
What’s the number one question Torc’rs get asked? “When will your trucks fully reach Level 5 autonomy?” Humans like to think in the binary. Either you’re driving the vehicle, or you’re not driving the vehicle. But it is not so black and white when it comes to autonomous vehicles.
The SAE – the Society of Automotive Engineers International — has defined autonomous driving into six distinct levels. Only Level 5 is fully autonomous, to the point of theoretically being able to handle every driving situation that you could imagine, in every location in the world, without any human interaction or supervision needed.
Within the parameters of the 21st century, the software needed to create fully deployable Level 5, not to mention commercially viable vehicles, are science fiction.
Level 4, just a step under that, is reality. It is, in fact, the science versus science fiction.
What’s the difference between Level 4 autonomy and Level 5 autonomy?
The nuances between Level 5 and Level 4 are distinct and important. Understanding them is key to differentiating between the real and the fantasy.
Level 5 autonomy is where most imaginations run to when they hear “self-driving.” It is fully and completely autonomous. There is no need for a steering wheel, and all people are passengers. But that simplicity of Level 5 would require an astronomical amount of technological development, maintenance, and testing.
For a fully realized Level 5 instance, the autonomous driving system would have to navigate everywhere. Every drivable surface, from gravel roads to back-alleyways would need to be mapped and remapped. Situations that the vehicle would be able to handle would include everything from unmarked roads and new pop-up roadworks to a tornado dropping out of the clouds, as aliens land, and Godzilla starts attacking. The definition of Level 5 includes the autonomous vehicle making the right decisions in all those situations without complaint.
It is science fiction. Does that mean it will not happen? Maybe. However, Level 5 autonomous trucks are not a viable, achievable, accessible product for the 4.19 million miles of U.S. roads. And those vehicles, and that freight market, is what Torc is focused on.
Torc’s Focused Approach
Level 4, however, stays just slightly over that line of science fiction into science fact. Torc’s autonomous driving system can navigate without human intervention within environmental, route, or traffic scenario limits. The limits put on the expected or allowed performance of the trucks are defined in the system’s Operational Design Domain or (ODD). Within these factors, the autonomous truck can navigate the road ahead in defined situations. Importantly, Level 4 can be an autonomous product that can be realistically foreseen, programmed, tested, and viable. That is Level 4, a high automation drive.
We state the Whys to Level 4 Autonomous Trucking plan in our Safety Report:
Torc is working toward building a level 4 truck because we believe that this level of driving automation will be the safest for heavy-duty trucks and will offer enormous advantages in many areas.
Level 4 trucks will:
Make considerable contributions toward safer roads and more sustainable transport solutions;
Enhance traffic safety thanks to a redundancy of systems and multiple sensors that can consistently achieve high performance – thereby helping to prevent the great majority of crashes that today result from human error;
Improve efficiency and productivity by, among other avenues, higher utilization of the vehicles – practically around the clock;
Avoid traffic jams by intelligent route management, making it possible to travel during light traffic times.
Level 5 Autonomy is Always Everywhere
Is Level 5 autonomy possible? The answer is complicated. For answers, we turned to Axel Gern, chief technology officer of Torc’s technology and software development center in Stuttgart, Germany. “Level 5 automation means, in my definition, always everywhere,” says Axel. “It needs to make safe decisions when you’re driving through the desert in Africa, or in the middle of Bangalore. But do we need to drive there autonomously? No, not right now.”
“Level 5 autonomy puts a lot of work and focus on these things, to achieve a safe system that is able to drive everywhere, every time,” Gern continues. “Level 4, when you start to restrict the scope, understanding the limits and living within those limits, is perfectly fine. When you basically cover the situation to at least a safe condition, what is called minimal risk condition or MRC, that is what’s useful. Anything else is a huge challenge. Level 4 autonomy, in the way Torc defines it, is approachable and doable.”
For the trucking and the freight logistics industry, Level 4 is the most appropriate and realistic. It is also, strategically, the safest level, and since the beginning of our company, safety and saving lives has been our work’s core mission.
At Torc, our mission is to create a scalable, commercially viable autonomous trucking product that will address the practical needs of the freight industry. We will leave fighting off Godzilla to the science fiction fans.
In Part I of this series, we defined and discussed the SAE Levels of Autonomy from Level 0 to Level 2. In this article, we will cover the remaining Levels of Autonomy, as well as which Level of Autonomy Torc is pursuing and why.
Rounding Out the Levels of Autonomy
Autonomous Driving Systems at Level 3 Autonomy: Conditionally Automated Driving
The SAE refers to Level 3 Autonomy as ‘conditional automation.’ It is a mode in which all aspects of driving are handled for you, but the driver must be present at all times in case an intervention request is made. A Level 3 ready autonomous vehicle is capable of driving itself in particular conditions, during which it will take control of all safety-critical systems. In proper circumstances, the ADS (Automated Driving System) completes the entire dynamic driving task and then disengages quickly upon the driver’s command. The driver is no longer obliged to constantly monitor the system or perform non-driving-related tasks while operating the vehicle. If the system prompts the driver, the driver must answer within a certain amount of time to avoid the system from disabling itself.
Autonomous Driving Systems at Level 4 Autonomy: Highly Automated Driving
Vehicles with Level 4 Autonomy are capable of driving fully autonomously in proper settings without the assistance or intervention of a human driver. If a driver takes control of the vehicle, the ADS will disengage if necessary. In some cases, the vehicle does not prompt the driver or user to take over because it is competent of handling the problem on its own. The development of commercial vehicles that can drive themselves on highways or in geofenced urban areas is likely to be realized by the end of the decade, thanks to advancements in sensor technology, high-definition mapping, more timely data, vehicle-to-vehicle connections, and off-site call centers (for dealing with uncommon risks).
Autonomous Driving Systems at Level 5 Autonomy: Fully Automated Driving
Vehicles capable of Level 5 Autonomy will be able to drive on any road that has been mapped and can be navigated by a human driver. It is sufficient for the user to specify a destination, and the vehicle will subsequently transport any occupants to their location. The system must be capable of managing all scenarios on its own and executing the entire dynamic driving task. Currently, this level of autonomy is not technologically possible. Some entrepreneurs predict the imminent development of a Level 5-capable vehicle, while more cautious industry experts are beginning to suspect that such a sophisticated system would either never be possible or would prove too costly for commercial development.
Which Level of Autonomy is Torc Working Towards?
Torc is pursuing the development of Level 4 Autonomy and autonomous driving systems for use in commercially available freight trucks. We believe Level 4 Autonomy is the safest level of autonomy for heavy-duty trucks and that it will give significant benefits in a range of areas. Level 4 trucks will contribute to safer roads and allow for more environmentally friendly transportation options. They will also increase traffic safety by employing redundant systems and various sensors capable of achieving high performance constantly, assisting in the prevention of the great majority of crashes that occur now because of human error. They may also result in enhanced efficiency and production due to increased vehicle utilization — essentially around the clock.
They will help both fleet clients and the entire economy because the competitiveness of any business is directly related to the effectiveness of its logistics and supply chain network. As Torc CSO Andrew Culhane recently stated, “I strongly believe that autonomous trucks will support economic growth throughout the nation by moving goods more efficiently and diminishing the impact of the U.S. truck driver shortage. However, it is critically important that autonomous vehicle (AV) companies approach a deep understanding and collaboration with the freight industry.”
Learn More
Read Torc’s Vehicle Safety Self-Assessment (VSSA) Report to learn more about autonomous driving systems and Torc’s self-driving trucks. It gives an overview of our safety culture, our technology, and describes how we are collaborating with industry experts to assure the safe development and commercialization of our autonomous driving systems for autonomous freight trucks.
Depending on how much time you spend watching the news, you may hear a lot about “self-driving vehicles,” and you may even hear speculation about how they can do everything from drive themselves to rescuing and altering the American economy. Those are lofty goals to set for any piece of technology, let alone one that is still in its infancy. Rather than focusing on the benefits of this technology, this article will define what we mean by “self-driving” or “autonomous” technology, as well as the several types of autonomous technology that are currently being developed.
An autonomous driving system is any system that is partially or fully capable of driving a vehicle without the aid, assistance, or intervention of a human driver. SAE International created the SAE Levels of Driving Automation in 2014 as a classification system for autonomous vehicles with the goal of providing greater clarity and transparency on the subject of autonomous technology for the benefit of everyone.
An Introduction to the Levels of Autonomy
Autonomous Driving Systems at Level 0 Autonomy: Manual Driving
At Level 0 Autonomy, the vehicle is incapable of autonomous driving and is solely controlled by a human driver. All driving decisions and movements are the responsibility of the driver. In the event of an emergency, a warning or help system may be employed to provide assistance or advice. Prior to the development and commercialization of advanced driver assistance features, all vehicles were Level 0 Autonomy. Even today, with technology pervading every aspect of our lives, the vast majority of vehicles are still Level 0 Autonomy.
Autonomous Driving Systems at Level 1 Autonomy: Assisted Driving
Level 1 Autonomy is characterized as follows: one aspect of the driving process is taken over in isolation, using data from sensors and cameras, but the driver retains entire control of the vehicle. When the driver activates the driving automation system, it can execute either longitudinal or lateral vehicle motion control, depending on the scenario. The driver must always keep an eye on the system and be prepared to take control of the vehicle if necessary. The development of Level 1 Autonomy and autonomous driving technology began in the late 1990s with the creation of the world’s first radar-controlled cruise control and the debut of lane-keep assist in 2008. These were the initial stages in releasing commercially viable autonomous technology for the masses. They were also the first steps to placing less on the driver and developing vehicles with enhanced active safety features.
Autonomous Driving Systems at Level 2 Autonomy: Partially Automated Driving
At this level, computers take on many of the driver’s responsibilities. Today, there are many commercially available vehicles capable of running at Level 2 Autonomy. Their technology makes them intelligent enough to combine speed and steering systems together by relying on multiple data sources, including cameras, radar, LiDAR, and GPS. However, a driver always must be present in the vehicle to take control of the vehicle in the event of an emergency, must keep a continual eye on the system, and best be ready to take over the delegated tasks if necessary. The driver simply must activate the autonomous driving system to use it.
Under specific scenarios, the driving automation system supports the driver with a portion of the active driving duties by steering the vehicle laterally and longitudinally through traffic flow. This complex form of cruise control combines directional, throttle, and brake operations. It uses sophisticated sat-nav data to autonomously brake for curves ahead, maintain a fixed distance from the car in front, and resume driving when traffic jams clear, all while the driver remains sitting. When the driver makes requests, the system will immediately disengage and allow the driver to resume control of the vehicle.
In the next part of this series, we will continue learning about the remaining Level 3 to Level 5 of autonomous driving. We will also discuss which level of autonomy Torc is pursuing and why.
Learn More
For more information, read Torc’s Vehicle Safety Self-Assessment (VSSA) Report. It gives an overview of our safety culture, our technology, and describes how we are collaborating with industry experts to assure the safe development and commercialization of our autonomous driving systems for autonomous freight trucks.
Torc’s autonomous trucks, like self-driving cars, are powered by a combination of algorithms, sensors, artificial intelligence, and so much more. Each individual piece plays a key role in operating our self-driving systems, but none are greater than the sum of their parts. These elements work in harmony to perform successful driving behaviors, especially where inclement weather is concerned.
How does weather affect self-driving vehicles?
Let’s think about our sensor suite as a “panel of experts” in their fields. Whether it’s research or execution, each expert is highly trained in their specialization. In any given scenario, they can problem solve and offer solutions with their years of knowledge behind them.
On this panel of autonomous trucking “experts”, we’d have a few different specialists: LiDAR, cameras, radar, and more. In an inclement weather situation, each would chime in with their unique perspective, but the decision would ultimately be made by the collective.
Let’s say our autonomous 18-wheeler is heading down a stretch of highway when a cloud of fog rolls in. As the fog overtakes the truck, the panel of self-driving sensors confers to figure out the vehicle’s next steps.
With high levels of fog, the visibility is low as the visual contrast isn’t significant enough for cameras to make a clear distinction between obstacle and air. Therefore, if the cameras on a self-driving vehicle were acting alone, they may decide that the best course of action is to slow down or pull over if the weather is significant enough.
At the same time, LiDAR, which works via bouncing laser beams off surrounding objects, might be sensing a wall of gray rather than a weather occurrence. This technology works so well at detecting its surroundings that it is thought of as a key piece in future lunar landings, but as with all technology, it can’t overcome physics and may draw some false positives and negatives from its surroundings. Acting alone, LiDAR may suggest slowing down so that it has an extended amount of time to deduce what’s happening around it.
However, radar has a different outlook altogether. Radar technology transmits radio waves, which aren’t affected by weather. Therefore, thick fog isn’t as much of a challenge. Radar’s drawback is that it only captures part of the image of the road around a self-driving 18-wheeler. As an expert panelist, radar may suggest that the truck is good to move forward slowly and with caution.
Before making a decision on what driving behaviors the truck should perform, the sensors work together to offer data on a given scenario. In our heavy fog scenario, each sensor said that visibility was low; radar tells us that it can confirm the fragments of images that LiDAR and cameras are able to provide, therefore giving us a complete picture. Each component plays off the other’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing the software to be the tie-breaker of our board of experts. When navigating significant weather, teamwork amongst these technologies is what moves self-driving vehicles from one stretch of highway to the next.
Self-driving vehicles are designed to be safe in a variety of weather conditions, but just like human drivers, their performance can be affected by bad weather such as rain, snow, fog, and extreme temperatures.
Can self-driving cars drive in snow?
Self-driving cars and automated semi-trucks can drive in snow, but their ability to do so depends on a number of factors, including the technology used, the amount and type of snow, and the driving conditions.
In general, snow can present challenges for driverless trucks and self-driving vehicles as a whole, as it can obscure lane markings, affect the performance of sensors, and make it difficult to detect and avoid obstacles. To address these challenges, automated trucking companies like Torc are developing more advanced algorithms that can better handle snowy conditions. In tandem, sensor manufacturers are also putting in the work to develop hardware that can handle the winter months.
For example, LiDAR sensors with higher power output and multiple wavelengths can help to better penetrate snow and ice and detect objects. Similarly, cameras with specialized lenses or coatings can help to reduce the impact of snowflakes or ice buildup.
In addition to technological advancements, automated vehicles may also rely on other strategies to navigate in snowy conditions. At Torc, our self-driving semi-trucks use map data and GPS to more accurately track their location and position on the road. Torc trucks also use radar, which allows us to further detect objects even in wintry weather.
Overall, while driving in snow can present challenges for autonomous trucks, the technology is rapidly evolving, and self-driving vehicles are becoming better equipped to handle a range of weather and driving conditions.
Will self-driving vehicles be safe in bad weather?
Yes. Self-driving vehicles are designed to be safe in a variety of weather conditions, but just like human drivers, their performance can be affected by bad weather such as rain, snow, fog, and extreme temperatures.
To ensure safety in bad weather conditions, self-driving truck companies are developing advanced sensors, algorithms, and safety protocols that can handle a range of weather conditions. For example, as mentioned, LiDAR sensors and cameras are being designed with specialized lenses or coatings that can better penetrate fog or rain, while radar sensors can be used to detect objects even in low-visibility conditions.
However, it’s important to note that automated vehicles and driverless trucks may still have limitations in certain weather conditions, and in some cases, they may need to rely on human intervention or be programmed to avoid driving in certain conditions altogether. Just like human drivers may make the determination that roads aren’t safe to travel, the same will be determined by autonomous trucking technology. For example, in severe snowstorms, robotic trucks may need to autonomously pull to the side of the road, be re-routed, or even manually taken off the road if they are unable to navigate safely.
Overall, while automated semi-trucks and cars are being designed to be safe in a variety of weather conditions, their safety is still subject to ongoing testing, development, and regulatory oversight to ensure they can perform reliably in all conditions.
Can self-driving vehicles navigate weather?
Snow and rain are hot topics when it comes to automated cars and self-driving semi-trucks. Thankfully, sensor redundancy ensures that driverless vehicles can operate within a certain degree of extreme weather. In the same vein, the majority of shipping in the United States comes through places like Laredo, TX, making the sunny parts of the United States an ideal scenario for an initial launch of self-driving semi-trucks.
At Torc, we’re currently working towards an autonomous trucking solution that can overcome weather conditions on its long-haul journey across the country. Whether it’s rain, sleet, or snow, Torc’s software team is creating a product that will improve our shipping landscape.
The freight industry is on the cusp of several technological advancements to improve efficiency, safety and transport as a whole. Two big revolutions are being prepped for at the same time: autonomous driving software and battery electric power. However, what does one have to do with the other? While there is some crossover, self-driving semi-trucks and electric battery semi-trucks have different considerations right now in the current marketplace.
Semi-trucks are freight-focused vehicles used for both long-haul journeys across the interstate and ‘last-mile’ trips between distribution hubs and final destinations. They carry life-saving medicines, groceries, clothes, and so much more, across the nation. As self-driving electric trucks and diesel-powered 18-wheelers ship these goods, there are different ideal use-cases for both dependent on range and infrastructure.
The Current State of Electrification
Today, the electric vehicle we’re all most familiar with is likely the consumer car. Several car brands now feature some form of hybrid or fully electric vehicle, enabling many everyday drivers to join the electric revolution. But are there electric semi-trucks? And if so, are electric semi-trucks feasible?
There are – and there’s a vast range of them. Your average electric semi-truck is a zero emissions model with an average range of 200 miles (depending on vehicle configurations, but electric semis with 350 miles of range are in production) when fully charged. Given its mileage, these kinds of trucks are ideally suited for short-haul routes that allow for depot-based charging.
Because our supply chains run on tight timelines and high consumer demands, these semi-trucks need to be charged relatively fast. This requires far more power than the typical fast chargers meant for consumer vehicles. In the same vein, they need significantly more real estate in which to park while they wait for their superchargers to operate.
Range and infrastructure continue to be improved upon in electric 18-wheeler development. Many semi-truck companies are working alongside partners both in the private sector and the government sector to tackle the infrastructure challenge. In the same vein, electric semi-truck designers are thinking ahead. For instance, most electric semi-truck designers focus on “opportunity charging”, meaning that these industrial batteries are charged for short bursts rather than all at once; this begins to address the charging challenge. With new grants, listening sessions, and plans being created every day, we’re moving towards an electric future that’s sustainable for people and places alike.
The industry has also been answering the emissions question with significant results. In 2021, emissions from the transportation sector (including delivery trucks, long-haul freight, and other logistics vehicles) made up 20% of the overall emissions in the United States. As electric Class 8 trucks move into mass production and eventual mass roll-out, that emissions number is expected to continue falling from its 2019 number of 26%.
Although the initial cost of electric cars and electric 18-wheelers is typically higher than the gasoline or diesel counterpart of these vehicles, the total cost of ownership is projected to be lower. Fuel savings are the most obvious cost saving vertical, but these vehicles also typically come with several telematic solutions, which can boost efficiency by minimizing hard braking, providing on-board diagnostics, and more. Overall, electric 18-wheelers do have promising future prospects even in this technology’s early stage.
Autonomy Outlook: Gas vs. Electricity
There are a few different factors needed to consider the gas vs. electricity debate in the autonomous truck sector. Namely, intended use cases.
At Torc, our target use case centers around the long-range, or any journey that exceeds 250 miles. We’re laser-focused on creating software that autonomously drives semi-trucks to-and-from shipping hubs across the country, meaning that long-haul journeys are at the forefront of everything we do. In the same vein, we’re proud to be partnering with Daimler Truck on developing a fully autonomous Freightliner Cascadia: an advanced, diesel-powered vehicle that is purpose-built for an autonomous driving system.
Given the discrepancy between our long-haul needs and the typical electric truck range, Torc’s vision for the immediate future doesn’t yet include electric models. However, that’s not to say that it’s not part of our eventual future. As our world moves towards green practices and electric vehicles become more and more common, we’re open to the possibility that electric 18-wheelers may replace diesel 18-wheelers altogether.
In the meantime, we are still looking ahead to how we can maximize fuel efficiency. Several studies have shown the potential of autonomous trucks to increase fuel efficiency. Driving at a more consistent speed and reducing the amount of excessive braking or acceleration improves fuel economy. The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently researching the potential of autonomous trucks to determine how they could improve fuel use in the future.
Innovations in Efficiency: Hydrogen Fuel Cells
While electric trucks may not be suitable for long-haul freight, hydrogen fuel cell technology may provide a different story entirely. This research is still being carried out, but it has some interesting prospects for the world of autonomous and automotive tech alike. Once deployed, it could be a fuel source appropriate for long-haul autonomous trucking.
A fuel cell is a highly efficient energy conversion device. In the case of hydrogen fuel cells, these devices combine oxygen and hydrogen to generate electricity. Vehicles with fuel cells are still electric vehicles, albeit they don’t need to be charged. Instead, they utilize hydrogen fuel to make their journeys across city streets and highways.
Many autonomous truck companies are working on various forms of hydrogen fueling. From liquid hydrogen to carbon-fiber reinforced vehicle tanks, innovation is happening in this sphere at a rapid rate. At Torc, we’re watching these developments closely in anticipation of ushering forth this new era of automotive excellence.
Electric Semi-Trucks in 2023 and Beyond
Electric vehicles are sure to be part of the way we explore new ways of moving passengers and freight alike. While we’re only just beginning to see a world where electric semi-trucks are for sale, this new tech is growing to new heights every day. We’re excited to see where our autonomous journey and the ongoing development of electric freight trucks takes the automotive industry as a whole.
