Aurora has launched its commercial self-driving trucking service in Texas. Following the closure of its safety case, Aurora began regular driverless customer deliveries between Dallas and Houston this week. To date, the Aurora Driver has completed over 1,200 miles without a driver. The milestone makes Aurora the first company to operate a commercial self-driving service with heavy-duty trucks on public roads. Aurora plans to expand its driverless service to El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, by the end of 2025.
“We founded Aurora to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. Now, we are the first company to successfully and safely operate a commercial driverless trucking service on public roads,” Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora, said. “Riding in the back seat for our inaugural trip was an honor of a lifetime—the Aurora Driver performed perfectly, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
“Our commitment to building a transformative technology, earning trust, and assembling a strong ecosystem of customers and partners has made this pivotal milestone possible,” Urmson added.
Aurora’s flagship product, the Aurora Driver, is an SAE L4 self-driving system that is first being deployed in long-haul trucking. Aurora’s launch customers are Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines. Both companies have had long-standing supervised commercial pilots with Aurora.
“Aurora’s transparent, safety-focused approach to delivering autonomous technology has always given me confidence they’re doing this the right way,” Richard Stocking, CEO of Hirschbach Motor Lines, said. “Transforming an old school industry like trucking is never easy, but we can’t ignore the safety and efficiency benefits this technology can deliver. Autonomous trucks aren’t just going to help grow our business, they’re also going to give our drivers better lives by handling the lengthier and less desirable routes.”
See also: Aurora, Continental, and Nvidia partner to deploy driverless trucks at scale
Prior to driverless operations, Aurora closed its safety case, which is how the company assembled evidence to show its product is acceptably safe for public roads. The company also released a Driverless Safety Report, which includes details about the Aurora Driver’s operating domain for initial operations, along with Aurora’s approach to cybersecurity, remote assistance, and more safety-critical topics.
Entities that were briefed on the Aurora Driver’s readiness for driverless operations include:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- National Transportation Safety Board
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
- Local law enforcement in Texas
Most U.S. states today allow for driverless vehicles, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. As Aurora opens new routes, it will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure there is visibility into the company’s progress.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott commented on Aurora’s commercial launch, saying, “Texas continues to attract emerging industries because we offer an environment that welcomes entrepreneurs and encourages innovation—key factors in Texas' unmatched economic success. Texas ranks No. 1 for technology and innovation, and that continues as we welcome America's first self-driving trucks.”
“These new, autonomous semis on the I-45 corridor will efficiently move products, create jobs, and help make our roadways safer,” Governor Abbott added. “Texas offers businesses the freedom to succeed, and the Aurora Driver will further spur economic growth and job creation in Texas. Together through innovation, we will build a stronger, more prosperous Texas for generations.”
Aurora will share more details about its launch and ongoing commercial operations at its upcoming Q1 business review.
