Torc Partners with Stanford Center for AI Safety to Enhance Autonomous Trucking Safety Protocols

BLACKSBURG, Va.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Torc, a leader in the commercialization of self-driving Class 8 trucks, has joined the Stanford Center for AI Safety to conduct joint research aimed at enhancing the safety of autonomous trucking. This partnership is a crucial step in Torc’s mission to ensure the safety and reliability of its autonomous trucking solutions, with the company set to launch its fully commercialized long-haul trucks in the U.S. by 2027. With this membership, Torc will have direct access to the groundbreaking research and expertise of the Stanford Center for AI Safety, allowing the company to integrate these findings into its own autonomous driving systems. The collaboration includes sponsorship, participation in research, and co-authorship of studies, ensuring that Torc remains at the forefront of AI safety advancements. “Joining the Stanford Center for AI Safety underscores our commitment to delivering safe, scalable, and trustworthy autonomous solutions,” said Steve Kenner, Chief Safety Officer at Torc. “This partnership aligns with our dedication to rigorous safety practices in AI development and supports our goal of providing highly reliable technology to our customers.” The Stanford Center for AI Safety focuses on creating robust safety protocols and advanced machine learning techniques to reduce risks associated with autonomous systems. By leveraging the center’s published research, Torc aims to tackle critical safety challenges and improve the reliability and performance of its machine learning models. Duncan Eddy, Director of the Stanford Center for AI Safety, commented, “Our affiliation program enables us to apply our research to practical, real-world challenges. Working with Torc, we will enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous driving systems, contributing to the broader development of this transformative technology.” Founded in 2005, Torc is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, a global leader in trucking. The company has over two decades of experience in developing safety-critical self-driving applications. Torc’s comprehensive solution includes advanced self-driving vehicle software and integration, and the company is currently concentrating on bringing fully autonomous long-haul trucks to the U.S. market. To support its commercialization efforts, Torc maintains strategic locations across North America. Its headquarters and main engineering offices are in Blacksburg, Virginia, with additional facilities in Austin, Texas, and Montreal, Canada. The company also operates a fleet operations center in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas and has a presence in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to tap into the local autonomous and automotive expertise. Torc’s vision is to revolutionize the future of freight with autonomous technology. By empowering its exceptional employees and delivering a focused, hub-to-hub autonomous truck product, Torc aims to provide the safest, most reliable, and most cost-efficient autonomous trucking solution to the market. For more information on Torc, visit torc.ai.