Virginia-Based Torc Robotics To Open Autonomous Truck Hub in Fort Worth

Torc Robotics, a Virginia-based independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG and a pioneer in commercializing self-driving vehicle technology, has leased a facility in Hillwood’s AllianceTexas development in Fort Worth that will serve as its autonomous truck hub in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

It will be a hub for Torc’s autonomous testing efforts, customer freight pilots, and future commercialization slated for 2027, the company said.

“Establishing our presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a key region for the future of autonomous trucking, is a critical milestone for Torc,” CEO Peter Vaughan Schmidt said in a statement. “This new hub will enable us to better serve our current and future customers, enhance our operational capabilities, and drive forward the adoption of autonomous technology in the logistics industry. As we work toward commercialization, the new hub will give us access to talent, resources and routes that we didn’t previously have, and we’re excited about the growth opportunities ahead.”

In December, Dallas Innovates wrote about Torc’s plans to open the hub in Dallas-Fort Worth, but the location had yet to be announced.

Torc is joining a lineup of autonomous trucking companies operating in North Texas, including Volvo Autonomous Solutions, Kodiak Robotics, Aurora Innovation, Waymo, and Gatik. All of them are making Dallas-Fort Worth a key hub for reimagining how truckloads can be moved on highways and roadways.

Torc Robotics tests its virtual driver on Freightliner Cascadia trucks developed by Daimler Truck. [Photo: Torc Robotics]

Location and innovation

Torc said the Alliance location will feature a customer experience center, offices, and dedicated control centers for fleet management and operations.

Torc said its expansion in Dallas-Fort Worth positions the company for the next phase of autonomous driving and provides a strategic advantage because of its proximity to a major freight route between Dallas and Laredo on Interstate 35. The company said that Laredo is the largest economic port of entry in the U.S., with more than 15,000 truck crossings per day and $320 billion in total trade last year, opening up a prime opportunity for Torc’s growth.

“Opening our Dallas Fort Worth hub is a testament to the incredible progress Torc has made. This new hub not only expands our operational footprint but also reinforces our commitment to advancing autonomous technology,” Torc Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Culhane said in a statement.

He added that the new hub brings with it exciting opportunities for the future.

“This comes on the heels of the successful product acceptance test validation of our autonomous trucks without a driver in a multi-lane, closed-course, highway-speed environment, further showcasing our dedication to the highest safety and product maturity standards,” Culhane said.

The future of logistics

Hillwood said that adding Torc’s facility showcases the company’s commitment to innovation.

“This collaboration highlights Hillwood’s commitment to fostering mobility innovation and building a more resilient supply chain ecosystem with industry-leading technology, reliable infrastructure, and forward-thinking customers,” Ian Kinne, director of logistics innovation at Hillwood, said in a statement.

He also highlighted some strengths of AllianceTexas and the partnership with Torc.

“The strategic location of this hub along the critical freight corridor of Interstate 35 is a testament to some of the unique advantages of AllianceTexas,” he said. “Torc’s presence here will further drive innovation, enhance connectivity, and provide significant value to our customers as we work toward a more efficient and connected future in logistics.”

The hub will be at 13119 Old Denton Road and Torc said it plans to start occupying the new space early this year. The location includes a 17-acre facility and 22,000 square feet of office space. It will be built out over the first half of 2025 to ensure it complies with the standards required for autonomous vehicle operations, Torc said.

Announced in late 2024, Torc also said it is expanding its workforce in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, where it plans to hire more than 100 positions in the coming months.

The Blacksburg, Virginia-based Torc has nearly 20 years of experience in pioneering safety-critical, self-driving applications. It offers a complete self-driving vehicle software and integration solution and is currently focusing on commercializing autonomous trucks for long-haul applications in the United States.