Aurora Innovation

Aurora was founded in 2017 by Chris Urmson, the former chief technology officer of Google/Alphabet Inc.'s self-driving team, which became known as Waymo.{{Cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/08/05/technology/chris-urmson-google/index.html| title=Google loses lead self-driving car engineer Chris Urmson|first=Heather|last=Kelly |website=CNN |date=August 5, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/04/the-largest-independent-self-driving-startup-is-under-a-lot-of-pressure/|title=Google veteran pans Tesla Autopilot: "We were doing better in 2010"| first=Timothy B. |last=Lee| date=April 16, 2021|website=Ars Technica}} Previously, Urmson was a member of Carnegie Mellon's Red Team, which competed in DARPA's Grand Challenges for autonomous vehicles.{{Cite news |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/cmu-solves-12-year-old-darpa-grand-challenge-mystery|title=Full Page Reload|newspaper=IEEE Spectrum|date=19 October 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cmu.edu/homepage/computing/2010/fall/driven-to-innovate.shtml|title=Driven to Innovate - Carnegie Mellon University | CMU|website=www.cmu.edu}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/aurora-is-not-building-autonomous-cars-its-building-safe-drivers|title=Aurora Is Not Building Autonomous Cars, It's Building Safe Drivers|website=PCMAG}} His two co-founders are Sterling Anderson, former head of Tesla Autopilot, and Drew Bagnell, former head of Uber's autonomy and perception team.{{Cite web | url=https://www.vox.com/2016/12/12/13920558/uber-self-driving-cmu-top-engineers-leave|title=Uber has lost three of its top self-driving engineers |first=Johana |last=Bhuiyan |date=December 12, 2016|website=Vox}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/10/18/shaken-by-hype-self-driving-leaders-adopt-new-strategy-shutting-up/ |title=Shaken by hype, self-driving leaders adopt new strategy: Shutting up |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 18, 2018}}

In January 2018, Aurora signed deals with Volkswagen and Hyundai to develop self-driving software for commercial vehicles.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/aurora-urmson-volkswagen-hyundai/ |title=America's Hottest Self-Driving Car Startup Just Joined Forces with VW and Hyundai |magazine=Wired |last1=Davies |first1=Alex}} Also in January 2018, at CES 2018, Nvidia partnered with Aurora to provide hardware for Aurora's self-driving systems.{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2018/01/08/ceo-daily-for-january-8-2018/ |title=AI Takes Center Stage at CES: CEO Daily for January 8, 2018 | first1=ALAN | last1=MURRAY | first2=TOM | last2=HUDDLESTON JR. | work=Fortune | date=January 8, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/07/self-driving-startup-aurora-will-work-with-nvidia-on-autonomous-driving/ |title=Self-driving startup Aurora will work with Nvidia on autonomous driving | first=Darrell | last=Etherington | work=TechCrunch | date=January 7, 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2018/01/08/nvidia-self-driving-car-partners-uber-baidu-aurora/ |title=Aurora and Nvidia Are Teaming Up to Build Next Gen Self-Driving Cars| first=Kirsten | last=Korosec | work=Fortune | date=January 8, 2018}}

In October 2018, Aurora became the first self-driving vehicle company authorized to test its vehicles in Pennsylvania.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/10/self-driving-car-startup-aurora-becomes-pennsylvanias-first-authorized-tester/ |title=Self-driving car startup Aurora becomes Pennsylvania's first 'authorized' tester | first=Kirsten | last=Korosec | work=TechCrunch |date=October 10, 2018}}

In January 2019, the company raised financing at a $2 billion valuation.{{Cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/08/report-self-driving-car-startup-aurora-is-raising-capital-at-a-2b-valuation/ | title=Report: Self-driving car startup Aurora is raising capital at a $2B valuation| first=Kate | last=Clark | work=TechCrunch |date=January 8, 2019}}

In May 2019, Aurora acquired Blackmore, a Bozeman, Montana-based company focusing on Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) lidar.{{Cite web| url=https://www.therobotreport.com/self-driving-car-startup-aurora-acquires-blackmore-for-doppler-lidar-tech/| title=Self-driving car startup Aurora acquires Blackmore for Doppler lidar tech|date=May 25, 2019| website=The Robot Report}}{{Cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/23/fresh-off-a-530m-round-aurora-acquires-lidar-startup-blackmore/ | title=Fresh off a $530M round, Aurora acquires lidar startup Blackmore| date=23 May 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/auroras-latest-acquisition-would-bolster-capability-build-lidar-sensors-scale |title=Aurora's latest acquisition would bolster capability to build lidar sensors at scale |date=February 26, 2021|website=Automotive News}} In June 2019, Aurora announced a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to develop self-driving technology in commercial vans. As a result of this partnership, the company was able to acquire Chrysler Pacifica minivans for its fleet of test vehicles.{{Cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/20/21331418/aurora-self-driving-cars-semi-truck-av-texas-robotaxi | title=Aurora will test its fleet of self-driving cars and semi trucks in Texas|first=Andrew J. | last=Hawkins |date=July 20, 2020 |website=The Verge}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/fca-partners-aurora-self-driving-tech|title=FCA partners with Aurora on self-driving tech|date=June 10, 2019|website=Automotive News}} In June 2019, Volkswagen also announced they would be ending their partnership with Aurora.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/11/volkswagen-reportedly-calls-off-self-driving-partnership-with-aurora.html |title=Volkswagen concludes partnership with self-driving start-up Aurora, in talks with Ford |first1=Emma | first2=Newburger | last2=Lora| last1=Kolodny |date=June 11, 2019| website=CNBC}}

Aurora expanded its operations to Texas in June 2020, bringing a fleet of test vehicles into the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In July 2020, Aurora debuted its own long-range lidar system called "FirstLight."{{Cite web|url=http://www.futurecar.com/4020/Self-Driving-Startup-Aurora-Debuts-its-New-Long-Range-Lidar-Called-%27FirstLight%27.html|title=Self-Driving Startup Aurora Debuts its New Long-Range Lidar Called 'FirstLight'|website=www.futurecar.com}}

In September 2020, the company moved its headquarters to the Strip District.{{Cite web |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/09/17/Aurora-Innovation-self-driving-cars-Strip-District-1600-Smallman-Street-produce-terminal/stories/202009170145 |title=Autonomous vehicle firm Aurora gears up for move to the Strip District |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=September 17, 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2020/09/17/aurora-moving-hq-to-1600-smallman-in-the-strip.html |title=Aurora announces local headquarters move to the Strip District | first=Tim | last=Schooley | work=American City Business Journals | date=September 17, 2020 | url-access=subscription}}

In December 2020, Aurora acquired Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), Uber's self-driving unit. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi subsequently joined Aurora's board of directors. Uber also invested $400 million in Aurora and took a 26% ownership stake in the company.{{Cite web| url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/07/uber-sells-atg-self-driving-unit-to-aurora-.html |title=Uber sells its self-driving unit to Aurora | first=Jessica | last=Bursztynsky |date=December 7, 2020 |website=CNBC}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/technology/uber-self-driving-car-project.html | title=Uber, After Years of Trying, Is Handing Off Its Self-Driving Car Project|first1=Cade |last1=Metz | first2=Kate | last2=Conger | work=The New York Times |date=December 7, 2020 | url-access=limited}}

In January 2021, Aurora partnered with Paccar to develop its first commercial product, a driverless truck. Their technology will be paired with Paccar's Peterbilt 579 and Kenworth T680 semi-trucks.{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2021/01/19/aurora-wins-truck-deal-closes-uber-unit-purchase.html |title=Aurora gets self-driving heavy truck deal as it wraps up buy of Uber unit | first=Cromwell | last=Schubarth | work=American City Business Journals | date=January 19, 2021 | url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/19/aurora-partners-with-paccar-to-develop-driverless-trucks/ |title=Aurora partners with Paccar to develop driverless trucks| first=Kyle | last=Wiggers | work=VentureBeat | date=January 19, 2021}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/self-driving-startup-aurora-partners-with-heavy-truck-company-paccar/ | title=Self-driving startup Aurora partners with heavy truck company Paccar| first=Kyle |last=Hyatt | website=Roadshow}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/paccar-aurora-to-develop-self-driving-big-rigs-11611090000|title=Paccar, Aurora to Develop Self-Driving Big Rigs|first=Jennifer|last=Smith |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=January 19, 2021 |url-access=subscription}}

In February 2021, Aurora partnered with Toyota and Denso to develop self-driving taxis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/9/22274640/toyota-aurora-denso-self-driving-car-robotaxi |title=Toyota teams up with Aurora and Denso on robotaxi development|first=Andrew J. | last=Hawkins |date=February 9, 2021|website=The Verge}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/toyota-denso-team-with-aurora-on-self-driving-cars-for-uber-others-2021-2 | title=Toyota, Denso team with Aurora on self-driving cars for Uber, others |agency=Reuters | work=Business Insider | date=February 2021}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/toyota-denso-form-robotaxi-partnership-aurora |title=Toyota, Denso form robotaxi partnership with Aurora| first=PETE | last=BIGELOW | date=February 9, 2021 |website=Automotive News}}{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/02/toyota-partners-with-startup-aurora-to-develop-self-driving-taxis/|title=Months after buying Uber self-driving project, Aurora signs Toyota deal|first=Timothy B.|last=Lee|date=February 9, 2021|website=Ars Technica}}

In March 2021, Aurora acquired 5D lidar company OURS Technology, a silicon photonics startup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.therobotreport.com/aurora-acquires-lidar-startup-ours-technology/|title=Aurora acquires 5D LiDAR startup OURS Technology|date=March 1, 2021|website=The Robot Report}}{{Cite web|title=Aurora targets trucking with $2BN SPAC merger plan|url=https://optics.org/news/12/7/27|access-date=2021-07-28|website=optics.org}} Also in March, Aurora announced it was partnering with Volvo Group to develop driverless trucks.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-30/driverless-tech-startup-aurora-adds-volvo-to-trucking-partners |title=Driverless Tech Startup Aurora Adds Volvo to Trucking Partners |author=Hull, Dana |date=March 30, 2021 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=22 September 2021 |url-access=limited}}

In November 2021, the company became a public company via a merger with Reinvent Technology Partners Y, a special-purpose acquisition company set up by Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus which provided $2 billion in additional funding.{{cite news |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2021/11/03/self-driving-startup-Aurora-Innovation-Inc-IPO-SPAC-Reinvent-Technology-Partners-Y-public-listing-Thursday/stories/202111030174 |title=Self-driving startup Aurora starts trading on the Nasdaq|first=Lauren |last=Rosenblatt |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=November 4, 2021 | url-access=limited}}{{Cite web|last=McGee|first=Patrick |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Driverless vehicle start-up Aurora to go public in $11bn Spac merger|url=https://www.ft.com/content/afc073ef-e16a-4cd9-a67d-deb25b92be40|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Financial Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715155634/https://www.ft.com/content/afc073ef-e16a-4cd9-a67d-deb25b92be40 |archive-date=July 15, 2021 }}{{Cite web |last=Tan|first=Gillian |date=July 14, 2021 |title=Self-Driving Startup Aurora in Agreement With Reinvent SPAC|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-14/self-driving-startup-aurora-said-in-agreement-with-reinvent-spac|url-status=live|access-date=July 20, 2021 |website=Bloomberg News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715030049/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-14/self-driving-startup-aurora-said-in-agreement-with-reinvent-spac |archive-date=July 15, 2021 }}

In March 2022, Aurora unveiled its test fleet of autonomous Toyota Sienna robotaxi.{{Cite news | title=Aurora unveils test fleet of autonomous Toyota Sienna robotaxis | url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/23/aurora-unveils-test-fleet-of-autonomous-toyota-sienna-robotaxis/ | last=Bellan | first=Rebecca | work=TechCrunch | date=March 23, 2022}} Following this, In May 2022, Aurora announced the development of the Aurora Beacon platform. The platform is a cloud-based mission control system designed for customers to optimise operations of autonomous vehicles via real time metrics such as status, location, and health of vehicles.{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220504006139/en/Introducing-Aurora-Beacon-Auroras-Powerful-Suite-of-Operational-Tools | title=Introducing Aurora Beacon, Aurora's Powerful Suite of Operational Tools | publisher=Business Wire |date=4 May 2022}}

In May 2022, Aurora announced the expansion of the organization's self-driving freight pilot with FedEx. The expansion is to include service from Fort Worth to El Paso, Texas. The new route challenged the company for its longest freight truck journey of about 600 miles, in which they will operate on a weekly basis. As of May, Aurora and FedEx have completed a total of 60,000 miles with zero safety incidents, according to the company.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/18/aurora-expands-autonomous-freight-pilot-with-fedex-in-texas/ |title=Aurora expands autonomous freight pilot with FedEx in Texas| first=Rebecca | last=Bellan | work=TechCrunch |date=17 May 2022}}

In March 2023, Aurora had 28 Class 8 self-driving trucks that run on public roads and are used with safety backup drivers.{{Cite web |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=2023-04-12 |title=US union opposes driverless trucks waiver for Waymo, Aurora |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/union-opposes-driverless-trucks-exemption-waymo-aurora-2023-04-11/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Reuters |language=en}} Aurora issued a joint application along with Waymo to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The companies requested a five-year exemption from rules that require drivers to place reflective triangles or a flare around a stopped tractor-trailer truck, to alert other drivers. Waymo and Aurora instead want to use warning beacons mounted on the truck cab, to avoid needing human drivers.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=Federal Register :: Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption Application From Waymo LLC, and Aurora Operations, Inc. |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/09/2023-04841/parts-and-accessories-necessary-for-safe-operation-exemption-application-from-waymo-llc-and-aurora |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Federal Register}}

In April 2023, Aurora partnered with Continental to deliver autonomous driving systems for the trucking industry.{{Cite web |title=Continental and Aurora Partner to Realize Commercially Scalable Autonomous Trucking Systems |url=https://www.continental.com/en/press/press-releases/20230427-continental-aurora/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Continental AG |language=en}}

In May 2023, Aurora was featured in Barack Obama's Netflix docuseries Working: What We Do All Day.{{Cite web |title=Obamas' Netflix docuseries 'Working' spotlights Aurora Innovation — and Pittsburgh |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2023/05/23/barack-obama-working-netflix-docuseries-aurora-innovation/stories/202305230009 |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}

In June 2023, David Maday replaced Richard Tame as CFO.{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230615367943/en/ | title=Aurora Promotes David Maday to Chief Financial Officer | publisher=Business Wire |date=15 June 2023}} In January 2025, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi resigned from Aurora's board of directors.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/03/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-resigns-from-self-driving-truck-startup-auroras-board/ |title=Aurora expands autonomous freight pilot with FedEx in Texas| first=Rebecca | last=Bellan | work=TechCrunch |date=3 January 2025}}

The company developed the Aurora Driver, a system that consists of sensors, software, and hardware. It can be installed in passenger or commercial automobiles, converting them into self-driving vehicles.{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/30/aurora-and-volvo-partner-to-bring-autonomous-long-haul-trucks-to-north-america/ |title=Aurora and Volvo partner to bring autonomous long-haul trucks to North America}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/24/21080298/aurora-self-driving-car-announcement-2020-plan-waymo-ford-general-motors|title=Aurora is finally ready to show the world what it's been up to|first=Zoe|last=Schiffer |website=The Verge |date=January 24, 2020}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/aurora-prizes-independence-av-world|title=Aurora prizes independence in AV world|date=June 17, 2019|website=Automotive News}} The Aurora Driver's software uses data from its sensors to devise a safe path through a given route, while its computer powers these components and integrates them with the vehicle. The system's sensors use Aurora's FirstLight lidar, which was developed from Blackmore's FMCW lidar technology.{{Cite web|url=http://www.futurecar.com/4517/Self-Driving-Technology-Developer-Aurora-to-Partner-with-Volvo-on-Autonomous-Long-Haul-Trucks.html|title=Self-Driving Technology Developer Aurora to Partner with Volvo on Autonomous Long-Haul Trucks|website=www.futurecar.com}} The first vehicle to be outfitted with the Aurora Driver was the Toyota Sienna.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ttnews.com/articles/aurora-partners-toyota-bid-bring-autonomy-masses|title=Aurora Partners With Toyota in Bid to Bring Autonomy to Masses|date=February 9, 2021|website=Transport Topics}}

Conventional lidar uses pulses of light to acquire information about objects surrounding the sensor, including distance and velocity.{{cite news |url=https://optics.org/news/12/8/43 |title=Aurora outlines commercial roll-out for silicon photonics lidar |date=September 1, 2021 |work=optics.org |access-date=22 September 2021}} In contrast, FMCW lidar uses a low-powered continuous beam of light, enabling faster acquisition of distance, velocity, and acceleration of surrounding objects, but often requires bulky mirrors and rangefinders. By acquiring OURS, Aurora hopes to reduce the size of the FMCW lidar hardware.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/26/aurora-acquires-a-second-lidar-company-in-push-to-bring-self-driving-trucks-to-the-road/ |title=Aurora acquires a second lidar company in push to bring self-driving trucks to the road |author=Korosec, Kirsten |date=February 26, 2021 |work=Techcrunch |access-date=22 September 2021}} Aurora plans to release the next generation of Aurora Driver, named "Fusion", in 2023.

• Argo AI

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://aurora.tech}}

{{Finance links

| name = Aurora Innovation, Inc.

| symbol = AUR

| sec_cik = 1828108

| yahoo = AUR

| google = AUR:NASDAQ

}}

{{Uber}}

{{Self-driving cars and enabling technologies}}

Category:Electric vehicles

Category:Companies based in Mountain View, California

Category:Companies based in Pittsburgh

Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq

Category:Car manufacturers of the United States

Category:Self-driving car companies

Category:Special-purpose acquisition companies