Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, is planning to establish a driverless truck hub in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, set to open in 2025. This is a significant step toward testing and eventually launching commercial operations of their SAE Level 4 autonomous technology in Texas by 2027.
Texas, particularly the Houston-Dallas corridor, has become a key area for autonomous truck testing. The state's willingness to foster tech job creation and its current driver shortage make it an ideal location for exploring driverless freight solutions.
- Location: Dallas-Fort Worth metro area
- Size: 18 acres
- Office Space: 22,000 square feet
- Purpose: Customer freight pilots, autonomous testing, commercial operations
Torc's facility will address the growing need for autonomous testing and operations, reinforcing the company's role in advancing logistics technology.
Torc has made substantial progress by conducting product acceptance tests at highway speeds without drivers onboard. These tests represent a key milestone, illustrating their commitment to safety and technical maturity.
CEO Peter Vaughan Schmidt sees the hub as crucial for supporting customers, improving operations, and further developing autonomous tech in logistics. Nonetheless, deploying fully commercialized autonomous trucks will demand comprehensive control systems and further collaboration with industry stakeholders.
Torc is not the only player in the game. Companies like Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Waabi are also expanding in Texas, highlighting the state's increasing significance in autonomous truck innovation.
Torc Robotics' initiative in Dallas-Fort Worth emphasizes Texas as a pivotal battlefield for autonomous trucking. As the industry advances, driverless trucks could become as common as robotaxis, ushering in new possibilities for logistics—and this future might be closer than we think.
