Background and Recent Developments
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, has resigned from the board of autonomous vehicle technology company Aurora Innovation. The decision to leave was made due to a desire to focus on his ongoing responsibilities as CEO of Uber and reduce external board commitments.
According to a Friday regulatory filing, Khosrowshahi’s resignation was effective as of Tuesday. In an effort to maintain transparency, Aurora has stated that Khosrowshahi’s decision to leave the board was not the result of any disagreement with the company.
Aurora Innovation and Uber: A Long-Standing Relationship
The Uber chief executive and Aurora Innovation go way back. In 2020, Uber offloaded its own self-driving unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora. The deal at the time involved Uber handing over its equity in ATG and investing $400 million into Aurora, giving it a 26% stake in the combined company.
As part of the deal, Khosrowshahi joined Aurora’s board. Through Uber Freight, Uber’s freight brokerage platform that connects shippers and carriers, the ride-hail and delivery giant maintained its connection with Aurora. In June, Uber and Aurora announced a multi-year collaboration to put trucks powered by Aurora’s technology on the Uber Freight network.
Not an Exclusive Relationship
Uber’s relationship with Aurora is not exclusive. The company also has a deal with Waabi, the self-driving truck startup founded by Raquel Urtasun, who had previously served as chief scientist and head of R&D at Uber ATG.
A New Board Member Joins Aurora
Shailen Bhatt, senior vice president and chief operating officer for AtkinsRéalis, will join Aurora’s board in Khosrowshahi’s place. Bhatt has a background working for the Federal Highway Administration.
Recent Executive Departure at Aurora
Khosrowshahi’s decision to leave the board comes a couple of weeks after Nolan Shenai, Aurora’s general counsel, shared his intention to step down effective January 6, 2025. Ossa Fisher, Aurora’s president, will take over Shenai’s responsibilities while the company considers his replacement.
Aurora’s Recent Developments
This article was updated to include information about Aurora’s new board member and another recent executive departure. It is essential to note that these changes may have significant implications for Aurora Innovation’s future developments and partnerships.
Aurora Innovation: Key Facts
- Founded in 2016 by Chris Urmson, Sterling Anderson, and Drew Bagnell
- Focuses on developing autonomous vehicle technology for commercial transportation
- Has partnerships with companies like Uber and Waabi
- Received a $400 million investment from Uber in 2020
Conclusion
Dara Khosrowshahi’s resignation from the board of Aurora Innovation marks an important development in the company’s history. The impact of his departure on Aurora’s future is yet to be seen, but it will undoubtedly have significant implications for the company and its partnerships.
As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, companies like Aurora Innovation will play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation. With new technologies emerging and existing partnerships being formed, there is much to look forward to in this exciting space.
