Aurora launches second-gen driverless trucks with hardware built for one million miles

Aurora Innovation has launched its second-generation driverless trucks, aiming to expand its autonomous freight operations across 10 routes in the US Sun Belt. The new Class 8 trucks are based on the International LT Series and feature Aurora’s next-generation hardware, which the company says is designed to last for up to one million miles. The launch marks a key step in the company’s plan to move from initial driverless deployments to larger-scale commercial operations. Aurora’s driverless trucks have already traveled nearly 440,000 miles on public roads as of the end of June. The company said the new platform will allow it to put hundreds of autonomous trucks on the road and serve more customers. The expansion comes as demand for autonomous freight technology grows. One customer recently announced plans to purchase 500 trucks powered by Aurora’s self-driving system, although the company cautioned that some customer intentions may not yet represent binding orders. New hardware hits road Before deploying the second-generation fleet, Aurora completed its Safety Case for the new truck and hardware. The process is the company’s established framework for assessing whether its technology is ready to operate on public roads without a human driver behind the wheel. Aurora is working with Roush, a product development and manufacturing supplier, to prepare the trucks for commercial deployment. Roush is installing redundant systems and integrating Aurora’s next-generation hardware at a production facility dedicated to the company. The partners have also established an upfit process that Aurora says could position Roush to reach an annual production rate of 1,000 Aurora trucks later this year. The move is significant because autonomous trucking requires more than proving that a vehicle can drive itself. Scaling the technology also depends on producing trucks in sufficient numbers, integrating redundant safety systems and building hardware capable of handling the high mileage expected in freight operations. “Last year’s driverless launch proved our technology could operate safely on public roads – our new platform now provides the foundation to deliver at scale,” said Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora. Scaling autonomous freight Aurora launched its first driverless Class 8 trucks on public roads last year, marking the beginning of its commercial freight operations without a person behind the wheel. The company now operates across 10 driverless routes spanning the US Sun Belt and plans to use the new fleet to expand its network. The second-generation platform is designed to address the demands of larger-scale deployment. Its hardware is more powerful than the previous generation and built for a claimed one million miles of operation, potentially reducing the need for frequent hardware replacement across high-mileage freight fleets. “Deploying our second-generation truck allows us to put hundreds of autonomous trucks on the road and ultimately into the hands of more customers,” Urmson said. Aurora’s self-driving system, known as the Aurora Driver, is designed to operate different types of vehicles, including freight trucks and passenger vehicles. The company is developing its trucking business through a driver-as-a-service model and works with companies across the freight and automotive industries. The launch comes as autonomous trucking companies increasingly shift their focus from testing and pilot programs to commercial deployment. For Aurora, the ability to manufacture and equip trucks at scale could be as important as the performance of its self-driving system itself.The company plans to deploy the second-generation trucks across its existing commercial network as it works toward expanding autonomous freight operations and serving more customers.Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.