Innovation in Motion: Schneider and Torc Robotics’ Self-Driving Freight Pilot

by Torc | Oct 5, 2023 | Uncategorized

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 industry leaders like 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.

Torc’s Michelle Chaka Details Safety at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo 2023

by Torc | Sep 25, 2023 | Uncategorized

Torc’s busy autumn event and conference schedule started off with the 2023 ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo, a two-day conference and exhibition in Santa Clara, Ca., September 20 and 21. Drawing speakers and attendees from all aspects of autonomy, companies debuted new hardware, demo’ed software, and shared insights into this revolutionary technology.

Speaking during the first session on Day 1, focusing on “Strategies, innovations and requirements for the safe deployment of ADAS and autonomous technologies,” Torc’s SVP of Safety and Regulatory Michelle Chaka presented “Safely Delivering Autonomous Trucking Solutions” detailing Torc’s safety management system (SMS) and its foundational components. A repeat attendee to the ADAS & AV event for previous organizations, Michelle knew the audience would understand and engage with Torc’s SMS and approach to safety.

To provide an introduction to Torc, Michelle shared the Driving the Future of Freight video.

Rounding out the presentation, Michelle shared the recently published First Responder guide and some of the feedback we have received from law enforcement.

“The conversations at ADAS & AV have been energizing, as usual, covering every facet of safety from engineering rigor, roadmanship, validation robustness, safety management systems, and operational ecosystems,” said Michelle. “It has been a productive event.”

Additional show information can be found at the show news website. The next ADAS & AV event is scheduled for 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Michelle Chaka will be presenting on this topic virtually on November 16, 2023 as the first speaker in Torc’s new webinar series. Be on the lookout for more information and how you can register to attend soon.

When ‘National Truck Driver Appreciation Week’ Means Calling Dad

by Torc | Sep 12, 2023 | Uncategorized

Two Torc Colleagues Share A Common Background As Drivers’ Daughters

Here’s a fact to share at the dinner table tonight, and something you may take for granted: Everything surrounding you right now, including everything you’re wearing and everything you have eaten today was, at some point, carried on a truck. Trucking moves 54 million tons of goods in the U.S. every day, and there are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers doing that moving and driving each day. Two of those drivers out there had two daughters, and they are now colleagues at Torc, working on autonomous trucking, and helping Torc drive the future of freight.

As part of “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week,” these two Torc colleagues shared stories about their fathers, and growing up with truck driving in their blood. Laura Sandoval’s father, Elmer Enrique Sandoval, and Izzy Johnson’s father, Wilfredo Latorre, were both on the roads for most of their daughters’ childhoods. So similar to a military family, they weren’t sure where their dads were at any given time, and when they’d be home next. “He would say ‘I’ll be home in a week’ but then on the way, he’d pick up another load that had to go somewhere else, and be a day or two late, or he’d change routes and get back a little earlier than expected,” says Izzy, part of the Torc user experience team, working on the Virtual Driver software. “Dad is an adventurer and being on the road makes him happy.” Laura says the same about her dad. “He loves being a truck driver and he always has the best stories about being on the road,” she says.

A topic of conversation online is the misunderstanding that autonomous trucks are going to replace drivers. Both Izzy and Laura’s fathers know that myth isn’t true. “There’s always going to be a route and pickups for them to run,” says Laura, who works with in-cab drivers out of our Albuquerque office. “There’s just too much freight to be moved. There will always be the need for drivers.”

Importantly, both of their dads immediately got the fact that autonomous trucking will make roads safer for everyone. “He did the research on Torc before I joined, and was like ‘you have to work for this company’,” says Izzy. “He was so excited about the opportunity created by self-driving trucks and what this future will bring. He knows it’ll make roads safer.” Laura agrees. “Dad knows self-driving technology on the road will make the whole industry safer and truck driver’s jobs safer too,” she says.

Like many drivers on the roads now, Izzy’s dad is reaching retirement age soon. “I’m not sure what he’s going to do, not driving,” she says. “He’ll definitely get a little stir-crazy.” Laura’s dad Elmer has a few more years until retirement, but is proud of his daughter for working to advance an important 21st century mode of transportation. “We may not be drivers ourselves, but we’re doing our part,” she says.

Celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week on your own!

What can YOU do to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week? Buy a driver a meal! Post on social media with #NTDAW23! Make a donation to a truck driver charity! And most importantly, be aware of how much our lives depend on the trucks and drivers on the roads, every day.