Aurora Launches First Commercial Driverless Trucking Service

Aurora Innovation has launched the first commercial self-driving trucking service without a safety driver on Texas public highways, operating regular deliveries between Dallas and Houston in partnership with Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines. This achievement makes Aurora the first company to operate a commercial driverless heavy-duty trucking operation on public roads. Aurora plans to expand its service to El Paso and Phoenix by the end of 2025. The initiative is intended to address trucking industry challenges such as labor shortages, high turnover, and inefficiency, though it faces criticism over cybersecurity risks, regulatory oversight, and potential job losses. California is considering new regulations to enable autonomous heavy-duty truck testing and increase oversight and data reporting, aiming to align with states like Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. Separately, Volkswagen is preparing to launch a driverless ride-hailing service with Uber in Los Angeles by 2026, reflecting growing momentum in the US autonomous vehicle sector.