Aurora has introduced a new 600-mile autonomous route stretching from Fort Worth to El Paso, marking the second self-driving truck route for the autonomous vehicle technology firm.
The company revealed this route expansion on Tuesday, coinciding with the release of its third-quarter financial results. Aurora also reported that its five self-driving trucks have collectively logged over 100,000 driverless miles on public roads, representing a significant achievement for the company, which initiated its commercial service in May. The company’s subsequent publicly stated objective involves expansion into Phoenix before the year concludes.
Aurora’s initial commercial operations commenced with a route connecting Dallas and Houston, serving initial clients Hirschbach Motor Lines and Uber Freight. At that time, the company communicated intentions to develop “tens of thousands of self-driving trucks” and broaden its reach to El Paso and Phoenix by the close of 2025.
According to Aurora, the distance of the Fort Worth-to-El Paso route makes it highly appealing to carriers, citing staffing issues and the challenges associated with completing a 10-hour journey within a single day. The El Paso route’s clientele includes Hirschbach Motor Lines and Russell Transport.
Aurora also provided specifics regarding its next-generation hardware, produced by Fabrinet and undergoing integration with the Volvo VNL Autonomous trucks. The company states that the hardware exhibits greater durability and enhanced performance while reducing the overall cost by half. Aurora’s latest lidar technology detects objects at a distance of 1,000 meters, doubling the range of its existing generation. The company has also refined its sensor cleaning capabilities, which it anticipates will lead to more reliable operation in adverse weather conditions.
“The incorporation of Aurora’s next-generation hardware with the Volvo VNL Autonomous on the pilot line at our New River Valley facility signifies a pioneering partnership within the industry and underscores the substantial advancements we are achieving together,” commented Nils Jaeger, President of Volvo Autonomous Solutions. “By producing trucks specifically engineered for autonomy, we are progressing beyond mere prototypes and establishing scalable solutions poised to fulfill the demands of a contemporary supply chain.”
This next-generation hardware will precede a more extensive suite of hardware being jointly developed with Aumovio, previously known as Continental, scheduled for production in 2027.
