Aurora's self-driving tech suite is known as the Aurora Driver. Aurora
The future of trucking is here, and it doesn’t involve a driver behind the wheel. Aurora, a Pittsburgh-based autonomous vehicle tech startup, has officially launched its self-driving trucking service in Texas.
The company’s autonomous trucks are now handling deliveries between Dallas and Houston. This marks a historic milestone, as Aurora becomes the first company to operate self-driving heavy-duty trucks on public roads commercially. The company has covered over 1,200 miles (1,930 km) in real-world conditions.
The first autonomous heavy-duty trucks
Aurora’s self-driving tech suite, known as the Aurora Driver, uses over two dozen sensors, including LiDAR, radar, cameras, microphones, and an onboard computer to analyze data from the road. The system allows the truck to detect and respond to road conditions with high awareness.
According to Aurora, their proprietary LiDAR technology can see more than 1,476 feet (450 meters) ahead, allowing the truck to spot pedestrians up to 11 seconds earlier than a human driver, especially at night.
Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora, was onboard for the inaugural trip between Dallas and Houston. “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,” Urmson said. This is a big achievement for the company, marking the successful deployment of its self-driving trucks for commercial use.
Aurora’s self-driving trucks hit the road in Texas. Image credit: Aurora
Tech partnerships and future expansion
Aurora has partnered with major truck manufacturers Volvo and PACCAR to integrate its autonomous tech into their freight vehicles. This collaboration allows the Aurora Driver system to be seamlessly added to OEM trucks, expanding the reach of self-driving technology in the trucking industry.
The company plans to expand its service to El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, by the end of the year. Future updates will also enable the trucks to drive at night, in rainy weather, and along more lanes of the US Interstate system.
While this technology could significantly change the trucking industry, Aurora assures that it will not drastically impact jobs in the short term. The company referenced a 2021 US Department of Transportation report stating that the automation of long-haul trucking would lead to a gradual reduction in jobs, rather than an immediate overhaul.
The report also suggests that displaced long-haul drivers could transition to short-haul driving, as these routes are less suited to automation due to their complexity.
The future of automation in trucking
Despite concerns over job displacement, the US economy is expected to see an increase in total employment, driven by the productivity gains from automation. As the technology matures, more jobs are likely to shift towards maintenance and support roles, rather than causing widespread unemployment.
Aurora’s next major update will come on May 8, when its Q1 earnings report is released. The company is expected to provide more details on how its self-driving trucking program will grow and how ongoing global trade challenges may impact its business.
Aurora’s success in launching its autonomous trucking service represents a major step toward the widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles.
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Sujita Sinha A versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.
