Self-driving cars are without a doubt the future of the car industry, with tech giants like Uber, Google, and Apple headlining the development of the platform. Now, startup company Otto is also focusing on autonomous cars, with the aim of shaping the future of self-driving trucks.

Otto was founded by former Google employees Lior Ron, Anthony Levandowski, Claire Delaunay and Don Burnette. Otto wants the mainstream and tech community to "rethink" about how they perceive the commercial trucking industry.

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Levandowski is well known for his stint at Google's self-driving car project. On the other hand, Ron previously worked on Google Maps and with Motorola. The two Otto founders explained that trucks and the trucking industry accounts for a huge slice of the pollution in the United States. They claim that trucks account for 28 percent of road pollution and just one percent of road traffic.

Aside from pollution, Levandowski and Ron also highlighted the large number of fatalities related to truck accidents. The duo added that the trucking industry is somewhat inefficient. On top of this all, is the growing shortage of truck drivers.

In a statement, Levandowski and Lior wrote, "We intend to enhance the capabilities of the Otto truck, collect safety data to demonstrate its benefits, and bring this technology to every corner of the U.S. highway system."

Otto currently has a team of 40 employees, most of whom are from tech giants like Google, Tesla, Apple, HERE, Cruise, as well as various car manufacturing companies.

The startup has lurked under the radar before it was officially unveiled on Tuesday. In fact, many of Otto's staff have not even updated their LinkedIn profiles. The biggest mystery now is the identity of those who are bankrolling the startup.

TagsOtto, Autonomous Cars, Otto startup, Otto company, Otto news, autonomous trucks, self driving trucks, Self-driving cars