• by Chuck Martin , September 9, 2019

Daimler Trucks is developing and testing automated trucks on public roads in southwest Virginia.

The tests are in conjunction with Torc Robotics, which is part of Daimler trucks and is located near the road tests, according to Daimler.

The tractor trailers will be operating at what is known as Level 4 autonomy, which means the trucks can drive by themselves in many circumstances, but a driver can take control at any time.

“All automated runs require both an engineer overseeing the system and a highly trained safety driver certified by Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics,” states the Daimler announcement, “All safety drivers hold a commercial driver’s license and are specially trained in vehicle dynamics and automated systems.”