Aurora Logs 1,200 Autonomous Trucking Miles in Texas

Aurora Innovation has successfully launched its first fully autonomous trucking service without a human driver onboard, completing more than 1,200 driverless miles between Dallas and Houston on Interstate 45. This milestone marks a historic step for the autonomous freight industry in the U.S.

• Aurora began commercial operations in Texas, running routes without any safety driver inside the truck.

• These operations involve Class 8 trucks (heavy-duty long-haul freight trucks).

• The trucks are equipped with Aurora Driver, a self-driving system that uses radar, lidar, cameras, and onboard AI.

  
  

• Aurora’s vehicles have completed over 3 million supervised miles in testing prior to full deployment.

• The company finalized a comprehensive safety case to meet state regulatory requirements before removing human drivers.

• Its autonomous system operates at SAE Level 4, meaning the vehicle can handle all driving tasks under specific conditions without human input.

• Aurora’s first driverless freight deliveries were done in partnership with Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines.

• These companies provide time-sensitive cargo, making reliability critical to the test’s success.

• Following success in Texas, Aurora plans to extend its operations to routes connecting El Paso and Phoenix by 2025.

• The company aims to build a nationwide autonomous freight network in coming years.

  
  

• First in the U.S.: Aurora is the first company to operate autonomous Class 8 trucks without a human driver on public roads.

• Supply Chain Efficiency: The technology promises reduced delivery times, fewer accidents, and increased shipping reliability.

• Labor Impact: Could reshape the trucking workforce, shifting human roles from driving to remote monitoring and logistics coordination.