Former Daimler Trucks CEO joins SafeAI Board of Directors

SafeAI, a technology company focused on autonomous heavy equipment, announced that Roger Nielsen has joined its Board of Directors. Nielsen, former president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America and member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG, brings decades of experience in the commercial vehicle industry to SafeAI.

Roger Nielsen

Nielsen spent 35 years at Daimler, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, including four years as president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America. During his tenure, he was involved in 40 acquisitions, mergers and divestitures across the automotive industry, including companies developing buses, telematics, electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems.

During Nielsen’s time at Daimler, electric and autonomous vehicles began rapidly gaining steam. As CEO, he spearheaded significant advancements in Daimler’s autonomous technology to meet rising demand across the trucking industry, including through the acquisition of vehicle automation company Torc Robotics. Under his leadership, Daimler’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) won Best Transportation Technology at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for its Level 2 automated driving system. The company went on to become the first to deliver SAE level 2 (partially automated driving features) into series production and today, continues to forge a safer, more efficient standard for logistics.

“Roger was at the helm of one of the world’s top automotive companies as the tides began turning toward autonomous vehicles. He quickly recognized the opportunity and dove in headfirst to unlock the benefits of autonomy for the trucking industry,” said Bibhrajit Halder, founder and CEO of SafeAI, Milpitas, Calif. “His experience as a trailblazer in autonomous development and deployment is an invaluable asset to our board as we reimagine heavy industry through increased adoption of self-driving heavy equipment.”

“At Daimler, I had the opportunity to lead a team rethinking a more traditional industry, logistics, through autonomous technology. As a member of SafeAI’s board, I’m fortunate to have that opportunity again,” said Nielsen. “I firmly believe autonomy is the future, and SafeAI will be the company to deliver this future to heavy industry. I’m honored to be part of this team as they chart a new path forward for industries like construction and mining, powered by autonomy.”

Nielsen received his BS in industrial engineering from Oregon State University. He is also on the board of NODAR, a company that develops 3D vision for autonomous vehicles.