Aurora Innovation (NASDAQ:AUR) is a technology company focused on developing self-driving vehicle systems for the transportation industry. Founded in 2017 by Chris Urmson (former head of Google’s self-driving car project), Sterling Anderson (former director of Tesla Autopilot) and Drew Bagnell (former lead of Uber’s advanced technologies group), the company leverages deep expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence and vehicle engineering. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Aurora operates research and development centers in Silicon Valley, Seattle, Dallas and Toronto, seeking to advance the commercial deployment of autonomous solutions across diverse environments.
At the core of Aurora’s offerings is the Aurora Driver, a suite of hardware and software components designed to integrate with a variety of vehicle platforms. The system combines LiDAR, radar, cameras and advanced computing hardware to perceive and respond to complex driving scenarios. Aurora also provides simulation and mapping tools, safety validation processes and remote support services to enable partners to test and certify autonomous capabilities at scale. By maintaining a modular, vehicle-agnostic architecture, Aurora aims to accelerate deployment timelines while minimizing integration challenges.
Aurora’s go-to-market strategy encompasses long-haul freight, local goods delivery and ride-hailing services. In the freight segment, the company has established partnerships with leading truck manufacturers, including Volvo Trucks and PACCAR, to retrofit heavy-duty vehicles with the Aurora Driver for over-the-road operations. The company has conducted public road tests and pilot programs across multiple U.S. states—such as Texas, Pennsylvania and California—and in Ontario, Canada, where it collaborates with logistics providers to validate autonomous trucking under real-world conditions.
Leadership at Aurora emphasizes a safety-first approach and rigorous engineering standards. Chris Urmson serves as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing strategic partnerships and product roadmaps, while Sterling Anderson leads product development as President. Drew Bagnell, Chief Technology Officer, directs research into perception and planning algorithms, and Andrew Harding, Chief Financial Officer, manages the company’s capital strategies and investor engagements. Aurora continues to expand its workforce of software engineers, data scientists and vehicle integration specialists, pursuing a vision of transforming transportation through scalable, autonomous solutions.
