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Tag: autonomous vehicles

Torc to acquire Canadian computer vision firm

Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics on Tuesday announced it will acquire Montreal-based computer vision company Algolux Inc.

A purchase price was not disclosed.

Torc, a self-driving truck company, is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG. Torc said in a news release that it is acquiring Algolux for its expertise in computer vision and machine learning. Algolux focuses on machine learning tools and AI software products to advance driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles.

“Algolux’s technology, at the intersection of deep learning, computer vision and computational imaging, will help Torc strengthen key capabilities toward our commercialization of Level 4 autonomous trucking,” Torc CEO Peter Vaughan Schmidt said in a statement.

Torc has worked with Algolux for more than a year on multiple perception concepts and methods to improve object detection and distance estimation, while evaluating synergies between the two companies. Perception technology is key to helping Torc’s autonomous system correctly identify objects in challenging conditions including low light, fog, or inclement weather. Algolux software is currently operating on initial Freightliner Cascadia test vehicles and is being included in Torc’s software development.

“Torc shares in our commitment to create robust technology to realize the potential of autonomy and help save lives, which is one of the many reasons why joining forces makes sense for our teams, ” Algolux President and CEO Allan Benchetrit said in a statement. “Algolux’s established team with deep expertise in artificial intelligence/machine learning talent and perception complements Torc’s already experienced engineering team.”

Algolux is headquartered in Montreal with offices in Palo Alto, California, and Munich, Germany. The transaction will close after the parties complete pre-closing activities, including required approvals.

Last week, Torc announced it hired Michelle Chaka as senior vice president overseeing safety and regulatory matters.

Torc names regulatory, safety SVP

Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics has named Michelle Chaka as senior vice president overseeing safety and regulatory matters, the self-driving truck company announced Wednesday.

Chaka, who most recently has worked as a director for safety assurance and standards for Pittsburgh-based autonomous trucking solutions firm Locomation Inc., will oversee and coordinate safety across the company, including its safety management system program, regulatory compliance and industry best practices. She will also chair Torc’s safety board and co-chair its legal and regulatory safety committee.

Chaka has more than 25 years of safety and regulatory experience in transportation, including in engineering and management roles at Ford Motor Co., and also worked as program and division director at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, according to her LinkedIn account. She has also led automated driving research projects sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Chaka has a master’s degree in automotive engineering technology from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University.

“Torc is dedicated to saving lives through the use of innovative technologies. From my first conversation with the Torc team, it was evident that saving lives was more than an aspirational mission, it is a Torc core value,” Chaka said in a statement.

Torc is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG. The company announced in August 2022 that Peter Vaughan Schmidt would succeed Michael Fleming as CEO. Torc was acquired by Daimler Truck in 2019.