Daimler Truck and Torq Robotics have selected Innoviz Technologies Ltd., a leading Tier-1 direct supplier of high-performance, automotive-grade LiDAR sensor platforms and complementary software stack, as its Short-Range LiDAR supplier for series production SAE Level 4 autonomous Class 8 trucks.
Under the terms of the partnership, Innoviz will supply its InnovizTwo Short-Range LiDAR sensors to support Daimler Truck and Torc Robotics’ autonomous commercial vehicle program. As part of a joint development effort, the companies will collaborate to advance the sensors for commercial trucking applications.
The news comes at a busy time for autonomous technology development in the trucking sector, with the new United for Autonomy organization dedicated to advancing a federal policy framework for autonomous vehicles having launched just last month.
“This partnership with Daimler Truck and Torc represents a significant validation of our technology and our position in the autonomous trucking market,” says Omer Keilaf, CEO and founder of Innoviz. “The trucking industry demands LiDAR sensors that can perform reliably in the most challenging conditions while delivering the precision and range needed for safe autonomous operation. Our InnovizTwo sensors have demonstrated compliance with these stringent requirements, and we're excited to support Daimler Truck and Torc in bringing this transformative technology to market.”
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Daimler Truck and Torc Robotics plan to integrate Innoviz’s LiDAR technology into the autonomous Freightliner Cascadia in combination with Torc’s virtual driver as one of several key components enabling Level 4 autonomous trucking. The companies state the partnership positions Innoviz’s technology as a critical component in Daimler Truck’s strategy to bring autonomous trucks to market, with deployment planned across highway and regional routes in North America to help fleet operators improve operational efficiency and enhance road safety.
“Selecting the right LiDAR partner is fundamental to our autonomous trucking strategy,” adds Rakesh Aneja, head of corporate development at Daimler Truck North America. “Innoviz’s proven track record in automotive-grade LiDAR sensors makes them an ideal partner as we advance toward series production. This collaboration brings us closer to delivering autonomous trucks that will reshape the logistics industry.”
Daimler Truck and Torc rely on a combination of three complementary sensor technologies — state-of-the-art LiDAR, radar, and camera systems — to precisely detect the vehicle’s surroundings under all conditions. The companies state this multi-layered approach enhances road safety both on highways and in challenging maneuvers such as turning at intersections or navigating ramps. LiDAR technology uses laser pulses to generate high-resolution 3D maps of the environment. For maximum safety, autonomous trucks require both Long-Range LiDAR systems to identify objects far ahead and Short-Range sensors to capture detailed close-proximity data in complex driving situations.
While Daimler Truck and Torc have already selected their supplier for Long-Range LiDAR, Innoviz has now been chosen as the partner for Short-Range LiDAR.
“Integrating Innoviz’s technology into our self-driving vehicle software solution enhances our system’s ability to detect, classify, and track objects in real time across diverse road and weather conditions. Innoviz’s sensors deliver the consistency and durability required for commercial operation, while supporting the redundancy needed for safe Level 4 autonomy,” says Mike Avitabile, head of engineering at Torc.
