In an effort to accelerate commercialization of its self-driving car technology, Torc Robotics has partnered with NXP Semiconductors to integrate next-generation radar into its self-driving vehicle fleet. NXP is the world’s largest chip supplier to the automotive industry.
“For over a decade, Torc has been working with partners across multiple industries to make the world a safer place through the commercialization of our autonomous technology,” said Torc CEO Michael Fleming. “Combining our end-to-end software stack with NXP’s innovative radar hardware is another step towards reaching that goal.”
The Torc self-driving system for consumer cars uses NXP radar chips, which boost the car’s perception capabilities by enhancing 360-degree vision and providing real-time information about objects around the car.
Torc’s self-driving system for consumer cars, which was unveiled earlier this year, already incorporates NXP TEF810x and MPC577xK radar chips. The tiny, unobtrusive sensors incorporated into the car’s radar boost its perception capabilities by enhancing 360-degree vision and providing real-time information about objects around the car.
“The partnership between Torc Robotics and NXP will bring further innovations and differentiation for next-generation sensing solutions for L4 and L5 autonomy,” said Kamal Khouri, Vice President and General Manager, NXP ADAS Product Line.
The Torc self-driving car maneuvers in urban and rural traffic as well as on freeways. The self-driving system uses multiple radar sensors in the front and back, as part of a multi-sensor system that includes cameras and LiDAR.
NXP technology played an integral role in helping the Torc car autonomously drive 4,300 miles coast-to-coast and back, said Fleming. A key benefit is the ability to integrate Torc’s proven algorithms using raw data across multiple sensors. “Access to raw sensor data is a key differentiator between us and the competition,” he added. “It helps us push the envelope on sensing while maintaining the reliability needed to test in real-world environments.”
Torc’s self-driving cars use multiple radar sensors in the front and back. They are part of a multi-sensor system that includes cameras and LiDAR, which enable Torc’s perception software to detect objects in complex driving environments.
As part of its commitment to safety, Torc only performs test drives with a certified safety driver at the wheel.
“We still strongly believe in the multi-modal approach that helped our team cross the finish line 10 years ago in the historic DARPA Urban Challenge,” Fleming said. “It uses the strength of each sensor across the broad range of challenging driving environments. Radar excels in situations where cameras would not, such as rain, fog, or night driving.”
Fleming said NXP’s radar hardware is and will continue to be a key component of Torc’s self-driving vehicle fleet. As part of their partnership, Torc and NXP will collaborate on testing results and new developments in radar technology.
“We look forward to continuing to work with NXP and our other automotive partners to advance self-driving technology and drive the requirements for future hardware products,” he said. “This is an exciting time to be in the market, and we’re humbled to be a guide in the transportation revolution.”
About Torc Robotics
Torc Robotics, headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, provides end-to-end self-driving solutions across multiple industries, including automotive, mining, and defense. Founded in 2005, Torc has integrated its components and systems on ground vehicles ranging from consumer SUVs to 300-ton mining trucks—in safety-critical environments. Torc first gained notice when it developed the self-driving software stack for Virginia Tech in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. As one of three winners of the DARPA Urban Challenge, Torc has commercialized this technology through partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their Tier 1 suppliers.
About NXP Semiconductors
NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) enables secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world, advancing solutions that make lives easier, better, and safer. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is driving innovation in the secure connected vehicle, end-to-end security & privacy, and smart connected solutions markets. Built on more than 60 years of combined experience and expertise, the company has 31,000 employees in more than 35 countries and posted revenue of $9.5 billion in 2016. Find out more at www.nxp.com/.