Daimler Truck and TORC Robotics Select Aeva to Supply Advanced 4D LiDAR Technology for Series-Production Autonomous Trucks
LEINFELDEN-ECHTERDINGEN, Germany, BLACKSBURG, Virginia AND MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., January 09, 2024 – Aeva(NYSE: AEVA), a leader in next-generation sensing and perception systems and Daimler Truck AG (“Daimler Truck”), one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, announced today that Daimler Truck has selected Aeva as the supplier of long and ultra-long range LiDAR for its series production autonomous commercial vehicle program.
Under the production collaboration, Aeva will supply its latest Aeva Atlas™ automotive grade 4D LiDAR technology to Daimler Truck and collaborate with Torc Robotics, Inc. (“Torc”), an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, to enable SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicle capabilities beginning with the Class 8 Freightliner Cascadia truck platform. Daimler Truck intends to integrate the LiDAR sensors directly in its production process, making it easy for customers to buy autonomous ready trucks directly out of its manufacturing plants without the need for sensors to be retrofitted. Torc in turn will sell its virtual driver technology and supporting services as a subscription to customers. Torc’s driving software will use Aeva’s perception software, built around Aeva’s instant velocity data, to detect objects faster, farther away, and with higher accuracy. The multi-year collaboration begins in the first quarter of 2024 with Aeva’s start of production by 2026 and Daimler Truck’s production ramping up by 2027.
LiDAR is a key enabling technology in autonomous driving. While traditional LiDAR sensors use laser pulses to sense distances to objects, Aeva’s unique Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) 4D LiDAR technology uses a low power continuous laser beam to simultaneously measure range and velocity for every point. This enables vehicles to unlock new levels of safety and automation by instantaneously discriminating between static and dynamic points and knowing the precise velocity of dynamic objects.
Joanna Buttler, Head of Global Autonomous Technology Group at Daimler Truck: “Daimler Truck is committed to leading the industry’s advancement toward autonomous trucks. Selecting the right LiDAR technology is a crucial strategic decision to safely deploy autonomous trucks on the road. We are convinced that Aeva with its cutting edge and reliable technology is the right production partner for LiDAR sensors and has the manufacturing capabilities to scale along with us. Today’s announcement therefore represents a key puzzle piece on our path towards commercialization. Together with Torc, we are well on track to offer autonomous trucks to the U.S. market by 2027.”
Peter Vaughan Schmidt, CEO at Torc Robotics adds: “Aeva is pioneering the commercialization of FMCW LiDAR technology, a key differentiator for long range detection and object identification. This means Torc’s virtual driving software can now rely on significantly higher resolution as well as farther and clearer detection of objects plus instant velocity detection, which are crucial to safely deploy autonomous trucks at scale. We have been working closely with the Aeva team over the past few years and we are excited about the real-world performance that Aeva’s technology has already demonstrated to help us solve some of the most challenging highway-speed use cases.”
Daimler Truck and Torc have made significant progress in turning autonomous trucks from an idea into reality, running extensive and successful on road test programs as well as first customer pilots. To maximise the safety of autonomous trucks, Daimler Truck and Torc’s trucks are equipped with sensor sets from a combination of three technologies, namely state-of-the-art LiDAR, radar and camera technology. This enables safe handling adapted to the respective situation on highways, surface roads and ramps as well as when turning at controlled intersections.
The selection represents Aeva’s first major automotive OEM production design win and is the result of multiple years of extensive collaboration and qualification with Daimler Truck, Torc and Daimler Truck North America. As a direct supplier to Daimler Truck, Aeva is positioned to be a Tier 1 supplier to automotive OEMs globally.
“Daimler Truck is one of the most reputable commercial vehicle OEMs in the world. Our partnership with Daimler Truck and Torc Robotics is trailblazing the next era of commercial trucking, with safe, autonomous trucks that will revolutionize the industry as we know it,” said Soroush Salehian, Co-Founder and CEO at Aeva. “We are pleased to be selected for this major production supplier award and it is a testament to the hard work, innovation and tenacity of the entire Aeva team as we cross another critical milestone in Aeva’s path to leading the industry with our unique FMCW technology and perception solution.”
About Aeva Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: AEVA) Aeva’s mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions. For more information, visit www.aeva.com, or connect with us on X or LinkedIn.
About Daimler Truck Daimler Truck Holding AG (“Daimler Truck”) is one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, with over 40 main locations and more than 100,000 employees around the globe. The founders of Daimler Truck have invented the modern transportation industry with their trucks and buses a good 125 years ago. Unchanged to this day, the company’s aspirations are dedicated to one purpose: Daimler Truck works for all who keep the world moving. Its customers enable people to be mobile and get goods to their destinations reliably, on time, and safely. Daimler Truck provides the technologies, products, and services for them to do so. This also applies to the transformation to CO2-neutral driving. The company is striving to make sustainable transport a success, with profound technological knowledge and a clear view of its customers’ needs. Daimler Truck’s business activities are structured in five reporting segments: Trucks North America (TN) with the truck brands Freightliner and Western Star and the school bus brand Thomas Built Buses. Trucks Asia (TA) with the FUSO, BharatBenz and RIZON commercial vehicle brands. Mercedes-Benz (MB) with the truck brand of the same name. Daimler Buses (DB) with the Mercedes-Benz and Setra bus brands. Daimler Truck’s new Financial Services business (DTFS) constitutes the fifth segment, the product range in the truck segments includes light, medium and heavy trucks for long-distance, distribution and construction traffic and special-purpose vehicles used mainly in the municipal and vocational sector. The product range of the bus segment includes city buses, school buses and intercity buses, coaches and bus chassis. In addition to the sale of new and used commercial vehicles, the company also offers aftersales services and connectivity solutions.
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 over 18 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; Stuttgart, Germany; and Montreal, Canada. Torc’s purpose is driving the future of freight with autonomous technology. As the world’s leading autonomous trucking solution, we empower exceptional employees, deliver a focused, hub-to-hub autonomous truck product, and provide our customers with the safest, most reliable, and cost-efficient solution to the market.
Aeva, the Aeva logo, Aeva 4D LiDAR, Aeva Atlas, Aeries, and Aeva Ultra Resolution are trademarks/registered trademarks of Aeva, Inc. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts Media: Michael Oldenburg press@aeva.ai
Daimler Truck Media: Paul Mandaiker paul.mandaiker@daimlertruck.com, +49 17630999267
Daimler Truck North America Media: Anja Weinert, +1-669-600-1478, anja.weinert@daimlertruck.com
Torc Robotics Laura Lawton Press@torc.ai
Investors: Andrew Fung investors@aeva.ai
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Forward looking statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to expectations about our product features, performance, our production expectations and relationship with Daimler Truck. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to: (i) the fact that Aeva is an early stage company with a history of operating losses and may never achieve profitability, (ii) Aeva’s limited operating history, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities, (iv) the ability for Aeva to have its products selected for inclusion in OEM products and (v) other material risks and other important factors that could affect our financial results. Please refer to our filings with the SEC, including our most recent Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Aeva assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Aeva does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Torc will leverage and apply insights from Uber Freight’s vast network to support the development and deployment of its autonomous truck
Torc Robotics, today announced a strategic partnership with Uber Freight, a leading logistics solutions provider. Through this agreement, Torc will leverage Uber Freight’s logistics network, representing $18 billion in active freight under management and 100k+ digitally-enabled carriers, to unlock critical insights and learnings regarding the future deployment of autonomous trucks.
Uber Freight’s marketplace and critical insights will be used to inform Torc’s autonomous freight network design and expansion strategy. These insights include which lanes are optimal for deployment, how to prioritize the rollout of lanes and various ODDs, balancing supply and demand across supply chains with autonomous trucks, the management of autonomous loads with transfer hubs, and more.
Uber Freight is also a longstanding member of Torc’s Autonomous Advisory Council (TAAC), a council comprised of key freight industry players who provide strategic guidance to Torc. This includes Schneider, C.R. England, Penske, Ryder and other industry leaders, as well as Torc’s majority stakeholder, Daimler Truck AG.
“As we have always said, collaboration in the autonomous trucking industry is paramount to the technology’s deployment at scale. Our partnership with Uber Freight is a prime example of how working together with industry players will ensure the technology is integrated seamlessly, safely, and efficiently,” commented Peter Vaughan Schmidt, Torc’s CEO. “This partnership is a natural expansion of our initial working relationship through TAAC, and leveraging Uber Freight’s data and insights will help our mission to commercialize autonomous trucks at scale by 2027.”
“Torc is a proven pioneer in autonomous trucking, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them on the road ahead,” said Lior Ron, Uber Freight founder and CEO. “We firmly believe that by collaborating with partners early on, we are helping incorporate the important voices of shippers and carriers across the Uber Freight network and shaping the future of freight with autonomous trucks. In partnering with Torc, we’re able to provide a leader in this space with rich insights regarding how goods move, which in turn will result not only in more access to safer autonomous trucks, but ultimately build more reliable and efficient supply chains.”
With over 20 years of experience, Fowler will leverage her C-suite skillset to lead and oversee Torc’s information security management program
BLACKSBURG, Va – December 5, 2023 – Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG and a pioneer in commercializing self-driving vehicle technology, today announced the appointment of Summer Craze Fowler as the company’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Fowler brings more than two decades of experience developing and executing successful technical strategies that align with business goals and objectives. In her role, she will collaborate with Torc leadership to develop a strategic security and risk management program, implement security policies and procedures, manage security technologies and oversee security-awareness training.
“Joining Torc at such a momentous time for the organization and industry is incredibly exciting,” commented Fowler. “Since my early meetings with the team, Torc’s prioritization of safety and innovation has been clear. I look forward to collaborating with this deeply focused team on our mission to commercialize a hub-to-hub autonomous truck product safely and efficiently.”
Having spent nearly four years with Argo AI, Fowler has extensive experience in enterprise cybersecurity policies and procedures, previously supporting Motional as Senior Vice President, Cybersecurity & IT, and leading teams at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University.
From 2018-2022, she served as the Chief Information/Responsibility Officer at Argo AI, where she built, maintained and enhanced IT infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities to meet and anticipate the needs of highly technical engineering staff who were developing AI software.
“As we continue to pave the way for the commercialization of autonomous trucking, Summer Fowler and her team will be instrumental in ensuring the security and trustworthiness of our systems,” commented Peter Vaughan Schmidt, Torc Robotics’ CEO. “Her wealth of experience in driving security operations and leading technical strategy aligns perfectly with Torc Robotics, and we are excited for Summer to join the Torc team.”
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 over 18 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; Stuttgart, Germany; and Montreal, Canada. Torc’s purpose is driving the future of freight with autonomous technology. As the world’s leading autonomous trucking solution, we empower exceptional employees, deliver a focused, hub-to-hub autonomous truck product, and provide our customers with the safest, most reliable, and cost-efficient solution to the market.
Consortium Works to Advance Safer Testing, Development, and Deployment of Automated Vehicles
WARRENDALE, PA. (November 7, 2023) – The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC), an industry program of SAE Industry Technologies Consortia, is excited to announce Torc Robotics and Zoox as the latest members to join the AVSC, strengthening the current membership with valuable insights in the development of AV safety-related best practices. The AVSC membership is comprised of manufacturers, developers, and fleet managers in the automated vehicle space, bringing decades of experience of launching safe, innovative mobility technologies, and working to advance safer testing, development, and deployment of automated vehicles.
Torc Robotics is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, a global leader and pioneer in trucking and AVSC Collaborator. Torc has over 18 years of experience in pioneering safety-critical automated driving systems and is currently focused on commercializing autonomous trucks for long-haul applications in the U.S.
“We are very excited to welcome Torc Robotics as part of the AVSC membership. We expect their inputs to bring diverse perceptions and ideas from the autonomous freight world to our united goal of developing best practices to engender public confidence in the safe operation of SAE level 4 and 5 AVs,” said Darcyne Foldenauer, Director, Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC).
“It’s no secret that collaboration is paramount in the commercialization of autonomous trucks,” commented Michelle Chaka, Torc’s Senior Vice President, Safety and Regulatory. “The AVSC has played – and will continue to play – a crucial role in driving industry collaboration to help ensure the safe testing and deployment of AVs, and Torc is happy to join forces with an organization dedicated to advancing safety across the entire autonomous industry.”
Zoox was founded in 2014 with a mission to make transportation safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable for everyone. The company is developing an all-electric, fully autonomous, purpose-built vehicle and will own and operate its fleet and a ride hailing service in dense, urban environments. Zoox currently operates a purpose-built robtaxi on public roads with passengers, in Foster City, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
“AVSC is thrilled to also welcome Zoox into our consortium,” Foldenauer continued. “We see their focus on safe testing and deploying a ride hailing service, as complementing our current diverse members that participate in the development of our best practices. Their safety innovation strategy of “Prevent and Protect” is a perfect fit with the AVSC mission of advancing the safe development, deployment, and fleet operations of automated driving systems (ADSs).
“Safety is foundational at Zoox. With recent advancements in autonomous technology, we are reaching an inflection point within the industry. Now more than ever, there is a need for transparent collaboration to develop unified safety standards for this technology,” said John Maddox, Senior Director, Safety Policy & Strategy at Zoox. “Joining the AVSC further enables us to provide key insights from the development and deployment of our purpose-built vehicle and work together with our fellow travelers to progress safe deployment across the autonomous vehicle industry.”
Torc and Zoox join the AVSC industry leader members Aurora, GM/Cruise, Lyft, Motional, Uber, Volkswagen, and Waymo. Consortium members are working on the development of a series of safety principles for SAE Level 4 and 5 automated driving systems. Their best practice documents are the result of information sharing and collaboration. They represent an agreement on the topics that are most relevant to the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles.
For more information about the AVSC, visit avsc.sae-itc.org. SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (SAE ITC®) is an affiliate of SAE International. The SAE ITC team specializes in establishing and managing consortia by providing proven processes, tools, and resources.
ITC enables public, private, academic and government organizations to connect and collaborate in neutral, pre-competitive forums thus empowering the setting and implementation of strategic business improvements in highly engineered industries globally. (www.sae-itc.com)
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the race to develop safe and efficient self-driving trucks has reached new heights. As a pioneering player in the autonomous vehicle industry, Torc is proud that our collaboration with Schneider, a global leader in freight shipping and logistics, has led us to a groundbreaking pilot project.
“The talent within the organization and the product [Torc is] putting on the road is best in class,” says Jake VandeLoo, Vice President, Equipment Engineering at Schneider. “We feel that Torc is exceptionally well-performing in the technology from a comprehensive product scope.”
The pilot program, launched in September 2022, is shipping household goods both autonomously and manually, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards autonomous trucking. Together, we’re driving the future of freight from simulation, to on-road testing, all the way to real-world shipping.
Milestone Achievements
Since the announcement of the pilot project late last year, Torc and Schneider have achieved impressive milestones that underscore the potential of self-driving technology when applied to the freight industry:
Mileage Accumulation. So far, more than tens of thousands of miles have been traveled, combining a mix of autonomous and manual driving. The distance traveled highlights the progress made in integrating self-driving capabilities into the operational framework of long-haul trucking.
Reliability. Our collaboration has resulted in a perfect record of on-time deliveries. Our autonomous truck’s precision and predictability has paved the way for efficient freight transportation, bolstering confidence in the potential of self-driving vehicles. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of cargo have been safely transported as part of the pilot, showcasing the capability to handle substantial loads with precision and care.
Safety as a Priority. The pilot program serves as a testament to the rigorous testing, development, and safety measures implemented by all team members involved. Our joint commitment to safety underscores the responsibility Torc and its partners feel toward the future of autonomous transportation.
Operational Insights. The pilot’s primary goal is to gather invaluable insights into operational freight logistics. Through real-world testing, Torc and Schneider aim to refine and optimize the hub-to-hub model, creating a blueprint for seamless integration of our autonomous technology into the complex landscape of the freight industry.
Industry Expansion. The success of this pilot also has broader implications for the freight industry as a whole. By demonstrating the viability of autonomous freight transportation, Torc and Schneider are poised to bring other industry players into the autonomous ecosystem, fostering innovation and growth.
“We feel that Torc is exceptionally well-performing in the technology from a comprehensive product scope.”
Jake VandeLoo, Vice President, Equipment Engineering at Schneider
A Step Towards the Future
Torc’s Autonomous Advisory Council has played a pivotal role in overseeing the progress of the self-driving freight pilot. This real-time involvement has allowed the council members to actively participate in the development and testing of autonomous trucking technology, aligning with Torc’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and safety.
The success of the pilot has paved the way for future endeavors not only between Torc Robotics and Schneider, but with the logistics world as a whole. Beyond the ongoing collaboration with Schneider, Torc Robotics has exciting prospects on the horizon. The company is doing a pilot project with C.R. England, a world-class leader in shipping, which will involve the transportation of refrigerated goods. This expansion into different domains of freight transportation underscores the versatility and adaptability of Torc’s self-driving technology.
The Schneider pilot is set to enter the next phase of the pilot, involving extensive testing, requirement gathering, and process development. As Torc continues to fine-tune its autonomous technology, Schneider’s logistical expertise will contribute to refining the operational aspects of self-driving transportation.
Navigating Tomorrow’s Highways with Self-Driving Semi-Trucks
Our collaboration with Schneider reflects a shared commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology. With our expertise in developing autonomous driving software and Schneider’s extensive experience in freight shipping and logistics, this collaboration holds the potential to drive the future of freight. Torc’s close partnership with Daimler and our use of Daimler Truck’s autonomous-ready Freightliner Cascadia, propels us closer to 2027 commercialization.
The achievements attained during the self-driving freight pilot underscore the viability and potential of self-driving technology in the complex landscape of the freight industry. As the pilot progresses, it serves as a testament to the collaborative spirit, commitment to safety, and shared vision of innovation that drives both companies forward. With milestones achieved and lessons learned, the journey towards autonomous trucking takes a significant leap forward, promising a future where self-driving trucks seamlessly navigate the highways of tomorrow.
With over 20 years of experience, Scanlon will be instrumental in driving Torc’s product vision, strategy and growth roadmap
BLACKSBURG, VA., August 17, 2023 – Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, welcomes Sheila Scanlon as the new Vice President of Product Management. Scanlon brings over 20 years of experience in the technology and autonomous driving industry. In her role, she will work alongside Torc leadership to foster a customer-centric culture and data-driven mindset, leading the product planning and prioritization activities in alignment with engineering.
“Torc’s work in the autonomous space is set to transform many facets of the trucking industry, and I’m thrilled to be joining the team,” commented Scanlon. “I look forward to working closely with Torc’s numerous partnerships in the freight industry, along with our colleagues at DTNA, to bring the leading autonomous trucking solution to the market.”
Scanlon entered the self-driving and automotive space in 2015 at Aptiv as a Director of Product Management and Business Development. As a Senior Director at HERE Technologies, she led the product team that managed HERE’s mapping portfolio of products, including HERE’s HD Live Map, an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz L3 DRIVE PILOT system. Most recently, Scanlon acted as Head of Product at RRAI, the leading highly complex off-road autonomy provider. She created and cultivated the company’s product management team and led product strategy, definition, and execution for applications.
“Sheila’s deep expertise in product management for autonomous technologies will be an asset as we work to scale Torc’s growth and development,” said Andrew Culhane, Chief Strategy Officer at Torc. “With our product launch in 2026 and scalable market entry in 2027, we’re excited for Sheila to join the team.”
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 over 18 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; Stuttgart, Germany; and Montreal, Canada. Torc’s purpose is driving the future of freight with autonomous technology. As the world’s leading autonomous trucking solution, we empower exceptional employees, deliver a focused, hub-to-hub autonomous truck product, and provide our customers with the safest, most reliable, and cost-efficient solution to the market.
