Aurora has announced the acquisition of Uber’s self-driving unit, Advanced Technologies Group, to accelerate the development of the Aurora Driver.
“By adding the people and technology of Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group to the incredible group we’ve already assembled at Aurora, we’re shifting the landscape of the automated vehicle space,” said Chris Urmson, co-founder and CEO of Aurora. “With the addition of ATG, Aurora will have an incredibly strong team and technology, a clear path to several markets, and the resources to deliver. Simply put, Aurora will be the company best positioned to deliver the self-driving products necessary to make transportation and logistics safer, more accessible, and less expensive.”
The team at ATG brings expertise to delivering self-driving vehicles safely to the road. With their technical skill in both research and practical applications, ATG will strengthen and accelerate the Aurora Driver applications for heavy-duty trucks while also working on light-vehicle products.
They have also signed a strategic partnership to connect their technology and strengthen their position. In addition to the partnership, Uber is investing $400 million in Aurora and its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is joining the autonomous vehicle startup’s board.
Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber CEO, said – “Few technologies hold as much promise to improve people’s lives with safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation as self-driving vehicles. For the last five years, our phenomenal team at ATG has been at the forefront of this effort—and in joining forces with Aurora, they are now in pole position to deliver on that promise even faster. I’m looking forward to working with Chris, and to bringing the Aurora Driver to the Uber network in the years ahead.”
-AK
Arya has been a part of the Content & Research Team at Hrnxt.com. She is a keen observer of economic developments, emerging businesses, people in business and keeps a tab on latest happenings in the business environment.