Aurora Innovation has taken a major step forward in its driverless trucking journey by running autonomous trucks at night. The company, which launched its commercial self-driving truck service this spring, is now focused on expanding operations across the southern United States, also known as the Sunbelt route. These trucks are already moving goods for companies like Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines.
In its second-quarter update, Aurora shared that three of its autonomous trucks are operating between Dallas and Houston. By the end of June, they had covered over 20,000 miles without human intervention, though human observers still ride along, not to drive but to monitor.
Aurora has also opened a new terminal in Phoenix and is testing a 15-hour route between Fort Worth and Phoenix with customers like Hirschbach and Werner. These terminals are positioned close to highways, meaning the trucks must manage exits and city roads on their own.
The company has now validated its self-driving trucks’ ability to drive in the dark, which helps extend operating hours beyond the limits human drivers face. Truck drivers in the US are allowed to drive for a maximum of 11 hours in a 14-hour shift and must take a 10-hour break afterward. Aurora’s trucks, however, are not bound by these limits.
CEO Chris Urmson said, “The value is really on longer lengths — so 600 miles is certainly a good range, where that is on the border of what’s possible for people.” He added that he hopes Aurora’s trucks will eventually haul freight from Miami to California.
The company’s long-range lidar, capable of detecting objects over 450 meters away in the dark, plays a key role in night driving. Aurora has acquired two lidar firms since 2017 to strengthen this tech.
Now, the next big challenge is rain. Aurora’s development trucks already operate in rainy conditions, but the company has yet to complete formal validation for commercial use. Until then, trucks will detect rain and pull over to wait for assistance.
“This year is really about building the capability toolbox so that the vehicles can drive where they need to,” Urmson said.
Aurora aims to have dozens of driverless trucks on roads by the end of this year and hundreds by 2026 as it works toward profitability.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
