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.
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 and more.
“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.
As part of our dedication to the future of freight, Torc offers a career-launching opportunity in all things robotics. Our Torc Co-op program and AV internships gives up-and-coming professionals the ability to work hand-in-hand with autonomous vehicle professionals, get paid to help create the first great generation of self-driving trucks, and more. In this article, Public Relations and Communications Co-op, Noah, recounts his experience riding in one of Torc’s driverless trucks.
Never would I have thought when I started this January at Torc as a public relations intern, that I would get the chance to experience the autonomous truck firsthand a little over four months later. I’m a completely remote intern, so most of my firsthand experience with our Torc trucks is through Zoom calls and emails. But, much to my surprise, Torc flew me out to Blacksburg to meet the team and to ride in one of our autonomous trucks!
Where’s the Demo Truck?
Coming into it, I thought that we would be driving along a demo-specific track, like a private road that’s meant for testing. I also knew that Gwen, one of my co-workers, would also be tagging along to guide me through the journey. However, I was surprised to learn that our 45-minute ride was a real, working truck ride, complete with fallback driver and safety conductor. While we coasted down the highway, we’d be gathering real data about the environment around us and testing our in-house software. Every truck ride at Torc is an opportunity to gather data and improve our systems, making my intern ride just as important as one of our day-to-day test runs.
To say that I was excited is an understatement.
“Every truck ride at Torc is an opportunity to gather data and improve our systems, making my intern ride just as important as one of our day-to-day test runs.”
Noah
Advanced and Futuristic
We began at Torc’s headquarters in the heart of Blacksburg, Virginia. After a quick meeting, we went out to meet the self-driving truck out in the parking lot.
This was my first time getting up close and personal with a semi-truck. My only real expectation was that riding around in it would feel like I was high up off the ground, and that the sheer size would make it feel as though we were moving slower than others on the road. In the parking lot, Gwen let me know that the trailer was loaded with cement in order to simulate a semi-truck filled with cargo. Deadhead rides, she said, or rides where the trailer is empty, are a significantly rougher ride.
Just being inside the truck felt very advanced and futuristic. As I buckled in and we pulled out into the parking lot, I watched the in-cab computer screen tell us what the software was detecting. Once we pulled out onto our intended test route, the lights above our heads switched from red to green, indicating that our driverless truck had entered autonomous mode.
Safety
At Torc, every demo ride is accompanied by a narrator. In my case, Gwen, our Program Manager, explained everything that was happening in the truck. She also provided some insight into the challenges that autonomous trucking professionals encounter. At Torc, we often say that 90% of the self-driving problem has been solved – it’s that last 10% that’s the real challenge. It was interesting to see how that philosophy manifested in real life.
Throughout the truck ride, I felt safe. Gwen informed me that the driver had his hands hovering over the steering wheel and foot over the pedal just in case of emergency while in autonomous mode.
The Full Experience
With the ride being around 45 minutes, I thought this was the perfect amount of time to be in the truck and get the full experience. The coolest thing about the ride was the monitor showing everything that the truck could see. From light changes, to different vehicles passing, and even traffic cones, the monitor was able to show me how the software recognized those objects and maneuvered accordingly.
We also had the opportunity to see how the truck handled other highway users. At one point, another semi-truck drifted towards us from the lane beside us. Out of an abundance of caution, our fallback driver took over and guided us away from the drifting semi.
A Safe Future
This was a really unique experience. It definitely isn’t something a lot of people can say they’ve done; it solidified my belief that the future of freight is in great hands, and it made me excited to be a part of it. My tech internship and AV internship has taught me a lot about autonomy and self-driving trucks, but it’s also taught me about the importance of safety culture.
I don’t think a day has gone by at Torc where someone hasn’t said that we’re all responsible for safety. Even at the intern level, I’ve been encouraged to speak up if I’ve ever felt that a situation was unsafe. Torc’s dedication to safety is just one of the many reasons why I’m excited to see how our technology develops.
As we look towards creating our autonomous driving technology, we’re not only driving the future of freight, but the future of our community. Whether we’re improving delivery times for fleet managers or reducing driver injuries, our focus is on developing a product that improves the shipping world for all. This year, we continued to bolster our dedication to the trucking industry with our St. Christopher Truckers Fund Collaboration (SCF).
The SCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists over-the-road and regional freight truck drivers and their families when an illness or injury occurring within the last year took them off the road causing financial difficulty. The fund not only provides direct financial aid for truck drivers but also aims to promote health and wellness programs and trucking safety to prevent and manage prevalent medical conditions within the trucking community.
Back on the Road with SCF
“You have literally given me a little hope back into my life. Being on the road for weeks & months at a time and knowing you have someone there in your time of need feels good, and I’m so glad I found St. Christopher Truckers Fund.” – Julianne
Torc Robotics’ contributions to the SCF demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the well-being of the trucking community, particularly in times of crisis and need. The funds donated by the company will directly help drivers and their families by providing financial support for essential living expenses such as rent, utilities, vehicle payments, and insurance. All financial assistance provided by SCF is paid directly to bill holders, not to the driver.
One of the major challenges faced by the trucking industry is the prevalence of serious health problems among drivers. Studies reveal that more than 70% of the approximately 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the United States suffer from health issues such as obesity, diabetes, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Limited access to healthcare exacerbates this problem, as truck drivers work irregular hours and spend extended periods away from home, making it difficult to seek medical attention promptly. Additionally, the lack of health insurance for over one-third of truck drivers further compounds the issue, resulting in delayed treatment and potential deterioration of health conditions. At Torc, our autonomous trucking technology also seeks to alleviate these irregular hours by introducing technology that can handle the grueling long-haul trips, thereby improving access to healthcare alongside organizations like the SCF.
Improving Safety in the Shipping World
“The St. Christopher Truckers Fund is an awesome organization. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and am undergoing radiation treatments. I have to be off for a minimum of 2 months and it’s mentally exhausting and financially devastating on top of everything else. I applied on a Wednesday and was approved the following Monday. They are amazing. I can’t thank them enough.” – Richard F.
Torc Robotics’ contribution to the SCF aligns with its commitment to promoting safety and innovation within the freight industry. Our expertise in autonomous driving technology seeks to make trucking safer, more efficient, and less prone to accidents caused by human errors. By supporting the SCF, Torc Robotics extends its mission to care for those who keep the industry moving: the hardworking truck drivers.
Torc Robotics’ generous contribution to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund is a testament to its commitment to the well-being of truck drivers and their families. By donating to the SCF, Torc supports truckers during times of illness and injury while also promoting health and wellness initiatives to prevent and manage prevalent health conditions. This partnership exemplifies the potential for the private sector to make a positive impact on the lives of those who tirelessly drive the economy forward. As the freight industry continues to evolve, initiatives like these will undoubtedly play a crucial role in fostering a safer, healthier, and more resilient trucking community.
By John Marinaro, Director of Operation Safety & Testing
When people ask me about the self-driving trucks we are developing at Torc with Daimler Trucks North America, they generally ask one of three questions: 1) Are they safe? 2) How can you predict the unpredictable? and 3) How do you know they are safe? These are good questions, especially considering that Torc and Daimler have both said we won’t commercialize a Level 4 self-driving truck until we’re certain it is safe. What most people miss, however, is that safety practices for self-driving trucks — and for human drivers — should emphasize avoiding problems or incidents more than reacting to them.
Let me explain by first stating the obvious, which is that self-driving systems are not perfect. As a former NASA safety engineering executive, I understand that we cannot completely eliminate risk. In safety, our job is to understand and mitigate risk as much as possible. There are issues and parameters that we know we must understand. There are also issues we don’t even realize we don’t know, also called unknown unknowns. This is certainly the case for self-driving vehicles.
Mitigating the Risk of the Unknown
At Torc, we are building an exemplary virtual driver. Like the best human drivers, our driver can make incredibly good decisions quickly in a crisis. Exemplary drivers – both human and virtual are critical to on-road safety. About 77% of all traffic accidents are caused by driver error. These incidents and accidents are when drivers, for many reasons, are not following established safety protocols and best practices. Our virtual driver is designed with these best practices in mind – to react predictably and consistently.
Are self-driving trucks safe? Autonomous driving systems do have some technical advantages to human drivers. As mentioned, autonomous driving systems don’t get tired or distracted. Wide sensor coverage on the vehicle provides continuous and comprehensive detection of moving and stationary elements at all times – so that’s a huge reduction in blind spots that human drivers are subject to. Torc engineers are factoring in situations that are leading indicators of accidents along with specific data about high-risk areas.
We also build in detailed strategies to implement in advance of any developing risk situations. Many of these same strategies are taught to professional CDL drivers in defensive driving training programs. For example, the Take 5 System from the Smith System Driver Improvement Institute teaches drivers to aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out and to make sure they see you. All of this is geared toward accident avoidance, and these guidelines are industry-accepted best practices for tractor trailer drivers. Self-driving trucks can do all of this and much more.
I would like to focus on the fifth guideline from Smith for a moment: leave yourself an out. If you don’t have an escape path, then you’ve got nowhere to go if an unexpected situation happens on the road. We are also integrating the perspective that our trucks constantly face drivers who do not appreciate what it takes to drive a 40-ton tractor trailer down the road at relatively high speeds. There are physical limitations to maneuvering a large truck — such as stopping speed and turning radius — that aren’t present in passenger cars and an exit path should take these factors into account.
So how do we manage risk for unpredictable drivers on the road? How do we predict the unpredictable? We can’t control those around us, but we can accommodate them. Fortunately, we have data from studies on what increases the probability of an accident. Avoiding unnecessary lane changes, for example, will reduce chances of an accident by 12%. Of course, sometimes it’s safer to change lanes when drivers face lane closures and left exits, but avoiding accidents and close calls is a matter of best practices supported by safety data. At Torc, safety data like this allow us to program our software with information that would take a human operator decade of experience to know and master. For example, we can inform the autonomous truck to “pre-position” in a lane when a traffic situation shows pending trouble, avoiding the need for a fast change.
Some people are concerned about software and hardware failures in self-driving trucks, and at some point there likely will be failures. We are building in redundancies and fault tolerance in our design, to help manage what we cannot prevent and plan for failing safe. For this, we also take a page from NASA and aeronautics and have a “hot spare” at the ready to take over a degraded or failing system for example, adding redundancies to safety-critical systems.
Defining the Safety Envelope
Let’s also consider the driving safety envelope. Torc is defining specific driving behaviors for different traffic and environmental conditions that keep the vehicle operating within a high level of safety. This is critical to on-road safety because data show that eliminating just one factor of a developing risk event can reduce the probability of an accident by 95% or more. We classify the safety zones by color–green for safe, yellow for less safe, and orange for risky and red for dangerous zones. When we are taught to drive an automobile, for example we are told to allow a 3-second distance from the vehicle in front of us. For trucks, it’s 5-7 seconds, because it takes them longer to stop. Following the above distance guidelines would keep drivers in the green — where we want to live — at least 90% of the time. But this is not how people generally drive. A quick trip around D.C., for example, would reveal that people spend most of their time in the red zone. Consequently, there are accidents every day. Staying in the green zone would reduce accidents by more than 75%. Operating in the red zone is unsafe. You have no margin and a high chance of being forced to execute a hero response to avoid an accident.
Autonomous trucks hold the safety envelope advantage, both due to the large number of simultaneously reporting sensors and the ability to precisely measure location and act accordingly. Sensors allow the system in a self-driving truck to detect exactly where everyone else on the road is at once. It doesn’t need to take the time to look around in different mirrors sequentially, as human operators must. Moreover, the self-driving truck does not adopt human behaviors of impatience, following the crowd, or developing aggressive emotions if there is trouble on the road.
Changing lanes is a high-risk event for trucks as well as cars, and an industry guideline for changing lanes is called Take 10, which means to signal for 3 seconds and then take 7 seconds to complete the lane change. Add to this speed reduction guidelines, such as reducing speed by 5 mph for dense traffic, curves or weather conditions, and you already have an impressive package of defensive driving guidelines that greatly reduce margins for errors and mitigate risks of accidents and close calls.
We use these guidelines and others to define the behaviors of our self-driving trucks, with the target of operating in the green zone of the safety envelope as much as possible. Our goal at Torc is to lead the way in operating trucks safer, more effectively and more efficiently than most human drivers, which we hope will reduce risk and save lives. This is all possible because the driving behaviors we are talking about can be implemented consistently with the right programming.
Just as human drivers learn from experience, our self-driving trucks will gain experience. However, people gain experience one person at a time, whereas our self-driving trucks benefit from collective learning. Those sensors and computes that help the trucks perceive the situation around them can also store the data, or record the data, in case of an incident or if an extreme response is needed. We analyze all such occurrences, determine the appropriate response and update the software across the fleet. We also plan for where there is an unknown, for example, programming trucks to safely come to a stop in the case of a situation the system is not prepared to handle.
The Future of Safety on the Road
How do I know self-driving trucks are safe? Because we are building the most experienced, exemplary driver possible, supported by best-in-class hardware and computes, advanced technology, experienced truck drivers, road safety data, and industry-standard best operating practices. I imagine that before we are done, our knowledge can help teach human drivers how to be safer on the road.
Join Our Team
Torc’s Safety and Mission Assurance team is using a data-driven approach to developing self-driving semi-trucks. If you’d like to support our mission of helping to make the roads safer, apply today to join our winning teams.
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.
This past week, ‘Trucking Forward’ hosts Tim and Adam sat down with Dr. Charlie Reinholtz, an esteemed academic and professor in the automated vehicle space. From his time spent driving students across the country to enter the DARPA challenge to fostering a problem-solving attitude, Dr. Reinholtz shared his story in this upbeat episode.
Since 1983, Dr. Reinholtz has served as a professor and advisor to students pursuing self-driving vehicles as part of their career path. Dr. Reinholtz shared the story of how he began this journey.
“In 1995, we entered our first Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition… And we did well in the design competition. We didn’t do very well dynamically, but we had a real great collection of students that it became a passion for me and the students,” said Dr. Reinholtz.
Dr. Reinholtz emphasized the significance of autonomous vehicle competitions as a means of providing hands-on learning opportunities and preparing students for real-world challenges. Dr. Reinholtz recounted his involvement in various student competitions, such as the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), the Student Unmanned Aerial Systems Competition, and the DARPA Challenges. Over the years, Dr. Reinholtz and his teams at Virginia Tech consistently performed well in the design competition at IGVC, achieving more than half of the wins in the competition’s history.
From there, the conversation shed light on the importance of hands-on learning, collaboration, and innovation in shaping the future of the industry. Dr. Reinholtz’s passion for working with students and his contributions to the field have left a lasting impact on the academic world, the industry of autonomy, and even engineers at Torc.
At these competitions, students and faculty members form cohesive teams, working together toward a common goal. The camaraderie and shared experiences create a unique environment where faculty and students are equal contributors. Dr. Reinholtz expressed his admiration for students’ dedication and acknowledged their tremendous efforts, even when academic credit did not fully reflect their contributions. Tim Zuercher, VP of Engineering at Torc, agreed.
“Coming in and working in [the competition] culture, it’s the collaboration. It’s not just that you’re fixing it, it’s like we’re all fixing it. Everybody’s on the hook for the same thing, and the spirit that brings,” added Tim.
Dr. Reinholtz attributed the success of his teams to meticulous preparation and attention to detail. In competitions, unexpected challenges often arise, and teams must think on their feet and devise creative solutions. Dr. Reinholtz emphasized the importance of doing thorough homework and being fully prepared. This includes anticipating potential issues, developing robust designs, and making persuasive presentations. The ability to adapt and find “good enough” solutions amidst the chaos of competition is a valuable skill that prepares students for autonomy’s dynamic nature.
The conversation also touched upon the impact of these competitions on student motivation. Dr. Reinholtz stressed the significance of establishing a caring and supportive environment where students feel appreciated. By recognizing their hard work and providing the necessary resources, faculty members can inspire students to go beyond their academic requirements. Dr. Reinholtz’s dedication to mentoring and supporting his students has resulted in countless success stories, with graduates making significant contributions to the industry.
“I really do believe that the people are a lot more important than having the talent,” he shared. “I could see that I was working with these students, and that if I could just keep them together as a group, like what happened with Torc… they’re going to be successful. Maybe there are going to be some ups and downs, but the people are just too talented and too hardworking. You can’t fail in the long run when you have that kind of ability and motivation.”
The discussion concluded with a reflection on the technological advancements since Dr. Reinholtz’s early involvement in autonomous vehicle competitions. While the technology of that era may seem primitive compared to today, the accomplishments were still remarkable. The DARPA Challenges, in particular, presented significant milestones in the field, with teams racing autonomous vehicles across the challenging Mojave Desert. Dr. Reinholtz commended the progress made in the industry and credited the dedication and commitment of the students he had the privilege of working with.
This past week, FreightWaves held its annual Future of Supply Chain convention in Cleveland, Ohio. At this event, attendees had the opportunity to witness the digital transformation of various companies in the logistics and trucking industries, including leading self-driving truck company, Torc Robotics.
Across a host of events, panels, and one-on-one engagements with convention goers, Torc brought together some of the greatest minds in transportation, logistics, and supply chain industries. Whether convention goers were seeking out information about the self-driving future or current trucking outlook, Torc Robotics had insights to share.
What the Truck?!?
During the convention, Torc’s Senior Analyst of Corporate Strategy, Frank Mabry, appeared on FreightWaves’ popular podcast, “What the Truck?!?” hosted by Timothy Dooner. Frank delved into the concept of Class 8 autonomous trucking, explaining how these vehicles will operate and shedding light on Torc’s cutting-edge technology. Torc Robotics, in partnership with Daimler Truck North America, is actively developing self-driving truck software designed to handle complex real-world scenarios, adapt to changing environments, and ensure precise vehicle control.
“It’s an exciting time,” Frank said. “We’re working on cutting edge technology, something that’s never been done before.”
‘Truck Tech’ with Alan Adler
Frank also sat down with Truck Tech’s Alan Adler, sparking insight into the autonomous revolution. He emphasized Torc’s approach of building autonomous trucks from the ground up, differentiating them from traditional trucks. Torc’s initial product, a Level 4 autonomous Freightliner Cascadia, is purposefully designed for autonomous applications, incorporating safety redundancies to ensure reliability.
“We’re building the truck from the ground up,” Frank began, explaining the goal for Torc’s initial product: a Level 4 autonomous Freightliner Cascadia. “If you went in and ordered a Freightliner Cascadia and a Torc-powered Freightliner Cascadia, it’s absolutely two different trucks. Ours is designed specifically for autonomous applications. It’s two different chassis, will be a 100% safe, if one system fails another part takes over.”
Torc’s collaboration with Schneider and C.R. England further demonstrates the seamless integration of self-driving truck companies and freight entities, with the aim of achieving consistent drives and minimizing freight loss during transit. Alan and Frank discussed this collaboration throughout their conversation.
“It’s one thing to have all the knowledge about what’s happening in the cab,” Alan prompted. “But your freight component is big.”
“Absolutely!” Frank replied. “We’re thinking you’re gonna have more of a consistent drive, more consistent arrival and less freight loss from transit, if we have these kinds of pilots early on.”
The Torc team also joined FreightWaves Radio’s host, Grace Sharkey, to dive into the vast world of autonomy. This time, Frank Mabry was joined by Nick Elder, Torc’s Director of Strategy. Together, they talked through what the impacts of autonomy could potentially have on the truck driver population.
Nick and Frank shared that it’s important to note that the adoption of autonomous trucks is likely to be a gradual process, allowing time for the industry and workforce to adjust and adapt to the changes. In the same vein, regulations on self-driving vehicles vary drastically from state to state and even city to city. As the greater conversation about driverless trucks develops, it will take some time for municipalities, states, and federal government officials to collaborate on the best solution for each unique scenario.
The FreightWaves event offered engaging discussions, rapid-fire demos, interactive sponsor kiosks, and other exciting activities. With over 70 experts in the freight industry, we had the chance to engage in sessions with our partners, peers, and vendors about the future of our industry. With every relationship we develop with our trucking and logistics counterparts, we get one step closer to an autonomous future.
As with all events we attend, our goal is to educate the greater freight community about the possibilities autonomy has to offer. Driverless trucks have the potential to greatly enhance our daily lives in numerous ways. They can reduce shipping expenses, generate improved job opportunities for transportation and freight experts, and enable trucking companies to run their fleets with greater efficiency. With this innovative technology, our supply chains will reach unprecedented levels of dependability and performance. From heightened efficiency to the safety prospects, automated 18-wheelers are going to change our world for the better.
Need a new podcast? Interested in autonomous technology, trucking, and all the ways these two industries connect? Give our “Trucking Forward” podcast a follow. Hosted by two long-time Torcr’s, every episode will bring dynamic discussions with software engineers, freight and trucking experts, and industry creators and innovators. From Torc’s autonomous advisory council members to trucker advocacy non-profits, our roster of guests will apply their unique perspectives to topics like intermodal transportation, regulatory processes, levels of autonomy, software testing situations, and more.
Meet Tim and Adam
Tim Zuercher is the VP of Engineering for Autonomy, where he leads the development of perception, localization, mapping, behaviors, planning, and control algorithms for Torc’s Virtual Driver. Joining Torc just before Torc became an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck in 2019, Tim has served in multiple roles from Software Engineer to Technical Product Director of the Virtual Driver. Prior to Torc, he was at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he helped grow the robotics research program while developing autonomy algorithms and platforms for land, sea, and air. Tim holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
Adam Shoemaker currently holds the role of Chief Architect at Torc, where he works across the organization, weaving the threads of Torc’s solution into a working tapestry, while mentoring teams and individual contributors as a technology evangelist. Joining Torc in 2016, Adam has served in multiple roles from Software Engineer to Technical Director. Prior to Torc, he was at Virginia Tech where he focused on control theory, state estimation, planning, localization, mapping, and perception, and participating in various research grants focused primarily on unmanned ground robotics applications. He also has the distinction of hiring Tim, from a phone interview alone. Adam holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
New episodes will be released every other Tuesday. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform.
The contest encourages high school juniors and seniors to imagine and discuss a future that includes automated vehicles and write about what this technology could mean for their communities, with a choice of three provided essay prompts related to AV technology and its societal effects. The winning essays were selected from over 100 submissions, and a committee of experts from the AV ecosystem scored the student essays.
The winners of the 2022-2023 PAVE Essay Contest in the Albuquerque, N.M. area are:
“Autonomous vehicles offer an opportunity for us to improve road safety, to provide new mobility options for our communities, and to make our transportation system more efficient, more equitable, and more sustainable – but at the same time, there are new challenges that we need to think through,” said PAVE Executive Director Tara Andringa, quoted in the PAVE press release. “The PAVE Essay Contest encourages young people to think about these new technologies and share their thoughts about the opportunities for societal impacts as well as how we can address challenges that could arise. We were thrilled that so many students participated in the contest, and we are excited to congratulate the winners!”
The newly inaugurated annual essay contest will be open to students in selected nationwide locations. The three locations for this year’s contests were Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, N.M., and Athens and Vinton Counties in Southeast Ohio. In each location, companies and organizations will sponsor the contest and donate the scholarship funding: the Washington, D.C., contest was sponsored by STEER Tech; the Albuquerque contest was sponsored by Torc; and the Ohio contest was sponsored by Transportation Research Center, Inc. and DriveOhio.
