Starsky Robotics has raised $ 16.5 million to develop unmanned trucks

Manufacturers of cars and trucks are seeking to take a leading position in the emerging market of unmanned vehicles. Starsky Robotics believes that the task of creating an autonomous transport is far from...

Manufacturers of cars and trucks are seeking to take a leading position in the emerging market of unmanned vehicles.

Starsky Robotics believes that the task of creating an autonomous transport is far from being solved while there is a driver insuring the autopilot system inside. The idea of ​​Starsky Robotics engineers is to partially transfer control to remote operators. The company has developed a system of unmanned truck control with a remote control. Trucks move completely autonomously while driving on motorways. Operation are transmitted to an operator in difficult situations and when driving in human settlements.

According to the founder of the company Stefan Selts-Axmacher, this approach will accelerate the introduction of unmanned technologies in commercial cargo transportation, because there is no need to wait for many years to change the legislation.

Engineers Starsky Robotics cooperate with truckers helping  to take into account the specifics of commercial cargo transportation. Also truckers participate in testsing the role of remote operators.

Starsky Robotics received $ 5 million from Y Combinator, Trucks VC and Data Collective in 2017. Recently the company published a video with an unmanned truck test, which attracted new investors led by Shasta Ventures. The company received $ 16.5 for further development.

In early March, Uber said the company was testing unmanned trucks in Arizona since November 2017. Trips on large highways are held offline, but city streets require additional testing.