Aurora Partners with Uber Freight to Launch First Commercial Driverless Truck in Texas
Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR) has made a historic breakthrough by launching the first fully autonomous commercial freight truck on public roads in the United States, in partnership with Uber Freight. The company recently completed over 1,200 miles of driverless hauling, running regular roundtrip routes between Dallas and Houston — a milestone that marks a new era in freight transportation.
CEO Chris Urmson celebrated the achievement: “We are the first to successfully and safely operate a commercial driverless trucking service on public roads.” He emphasized that this milestone was only possible after the company’s safety case was approved, demonstrating Aurora’s commitment to safety, transparency, and rigorous testing.
The initial operation is part of Aurora’s broader plan to expand autonomous trucking services across the U.S., with future routes planned for El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, by the end of 2025. Aurora’s flagship product, the Aurora Driver, is an SAE Level 4 self-driving system designed to address key industry challenges such as driver shortages, rising costs, and underutilized assets, particularly in the long-haul trucking sector.
Uber Freight, a leader in logistics technology, has long collaborated with Aurora on pilot projects, and their partnership now extends into commercial operations. Lior Ron, CEO of Uber Freight, underscored the significance: “Moving autonomous freight without anyone behind the wheel is a transformational step toward building a smarter, more efficient supply chain.”
Throughout the deployment process, Aurora worked closely with regulators including the FMCSA, NHTSA, and Texas authorities to ensure safety and compliance. The trucks are equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting obstacles, pedestrians, and traffic signals from hundreds of meters away, with redundant systems to ensure safe operation without human intervention.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the state’s support: “Texas continues to attract innovative industries, and Aurora’s driverless trucks will move products more efficiently, create jobs, and make our roads safer. This is a giant leap forward for our economy and technological leadership.”
Aurora’s approach combines cutting-edge AI with proven safety protocols, enabling the trucks to operate autonomously on highways with minimal oversight. The company plans to expand its network further and share updates at upcoming investor events, reinforcing its commitment to transforming freight through autonomous technology.
This pioneering launch by Aurora and Uber Freight demonstrates the immense potential of self-driving trucks to reshape the future of logistics, making freight movement safer, more reliable, and more efficient across the country.
