Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR) is hosting a two-day Partner Summit to unveil significant updates, including its new Partner Success Program and plans to expand its route between El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona.
“Our focus on engaging with key partners—those who will interact directly with the Aurora Driver—is crucial for the successful rollout of our driverless technology,” said Ossa Fisher, President of Aurora. “The Partner Summit is an opportunity to demonstrate the Aurora Driver’s capabilities and foster trust with our stakeholders as we prepare for safe driverless truck deployments.”
Aurora Partner Summit
The summit will feature over 20 carriers along with industry safety experts, regulators, first responders, and law enforcement from various levels. Discussions will cover a wide range of industry topics.
Nat Beuse, Aurora’s Chief Safety Officer, will present the company’s strategy for assessing the Aurora Driver’s readiness for driverless operations between Dallas and Houston through its Safety Case. Additionally, law enforcement and first responders will share their experiences and preparations for integrating driverless trucks in Texas.
Partner Success Program
Aurora is introducing an industry-first Partner Success Program, which allows customers’ drivers and executives to experience Aurora Driver-powered trucks firsthand before full driverless operations begin. To validate the program, Aurora has partnered with J.J. Keller, a leading safety and regulatory compliance firm, to provide feedback. The program is expected to launch in Q4 2024.
Phoenix Route Expansion
In a bid to enhance value for carriers, Aurora plans to extend its Fort Worth to El Paso route to include Phoenix. Commercial pilot programs for this route are expected to start in the first half of 2025, with plans to transition to driverless operations later in the year. The 1,000-mile journey, which takes over 15 hours, is particularly suited for autonomous driving.
Aurora has already completed over 7,000 loads for pilot customers, covering nearly two million commercial miles. For more information, visit aurora.tech.
About Aurora
Aurora (Nasdaq: AUR) aims to bring the benefits of self-driving technology to transportation, making it safer, more accessible, and efficient. The Aurora Driver is designed to operate various vehicle types, from freight trucks to ride-hailing vehicles. Aurora collaborates with industry leaders such as Continental, FedEx, and Volvo to advance its driver-as-a-service products. For more information, visit aurora.tech.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements include, but are not limited to, the Partner Success Program, the planned route expansion, and the timing of commercial pilots. These are based on current assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. For additional information on risks, see the “Risk Factors” section of Aurora’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2024, and other SEC filings. Aurora assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.