How Aurora Got Self-Driving Trucks On The Road.
Aurora Innovation is a self-driving technology company that is developing autonomous trucks and robotaxis. The company was founded in 2017 by Chris Urmson, Sterling Anderson, and Drew Bagnell, who each have decades of experience in the self-driving industry.
Aurora’s autonomous trucks are powered by the Aurora Driver, which is a suite of software and hardware that allows the truck to perceive its surroundings, make decisions, and control its own movement. The Aurora Driver is trained on a massive dataset of real-world driving data, as well as in a simulated environment.
Aurora has partnered with Volvo Autonomous Solutions to develop and deploy autonomous trucks. The two companies are planning to launch a commercial autonomous trucking service in 2024.
Potential Benefits:
- Safety: Aurora’s self-driving trucks are designed to be safer than human-driven trucks. They are equipped with a variety of sensors and software that allow them to perceive their surroundings and make decisions in real time. This can help to reduce accidents caused by human error, such as fatigue, distracted driving, and impaired driving.
- Efficiency: Aurora’s self-driving trucks can operate more efficiently than human-driven trucks. They do not need to take breaks for rest or food, and they can drive for longer periods of time without getting tired. This can help to reduce shipping costs and improve delivery times.
- Productivity: Aurora’s self-driving trucks can free up human drivers to focus on other tasks, such as loading and unloading cargo or managing fleet operations. This can help to improve productivity and reduce labor costs.
Aurora’s self-driving trucks are still in the development stage, but the company has made significant progress in recent years. Aurora’s trucks are currently operating on highways in Texas, and the company is planning to expand to other states in the coming years.
