Aurora and Ryder to Pilot On-Site Fleet Maintenance for Autonomous Trucking

Rhea-AI Summary

Aurora Innovation Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR) and Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) have announced a strategic collaboration to pilot on-site fleet maintenance at Aurora’s terminal in South Dallas. This partnership aims to enhance the utilization of autonomous trucks by embedding Ryder technicians to provide essential maintenance services. The initiative targets improved performance and minimizing downtime, which is crucial as Aurora anticipates increasing pilot customer hauls to 100 per week by the end of 2023. The collaboration is a significant step toward the commercialization of autonomous trucks.

Positive

• Strategic collaboration with Ryder aims to enhance maintenance for autonomous trucks.
• On-site maintenance expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Anticipation of increasing pilot customer hauls to 100 per week by end of 2023.

Negative

• None.

With Ryder technicians embedded in Aurora’s terminal, the companies aim to maximize the utilization of autonomous trucks

DALLAS & MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aurora Innovation Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR), a leading autonomous vehicle company, and Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, announce a strategic collaboration to pilot on-site fleet maintenance. With Ryder technicians embedded at Aurora’s terminal in South Dallas, the goal is to support the current pilot operations and prepare for commercial operation at scale.

Ryder and Aurora technicians inspecting Aurora’s fleet of autonomous Class 8 tractors at Aurora’s South Dallas terminal. Photos: Aurora

Autonomous technology has unprecedented potential to optimize vehicle utilization. However, higher utilization means autonomous trucks will require more frequent preventative maintenance and immediate access to corrective maintenance. These unique service needs make on-site maintenance at Aurora’s terminals essential as the company moves toward the commercialization of autonomous trucks.

“Collaborating on this customized solution with Aurora advances our shared goal of facilitating the commercialization of autonomous technology. It’s a critical next step toward our vision to build the key service elements that will support the safe deployment of autonomous trucks across the U.S.,” says Karen Jones, executive vice president, chief marketing officer, and head of new product development at Ryder.

As part of the pilot, Ryder will embed skilled technicians to work alongside Aurora technicians at Aurora’s South Dallas terminal to:

• Maintain Aurora’s fleet of autonomous Class 8 tractors, including inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs.
• Inspect and maintain trailers for pilot hauls and compliance with DOT standards.
• Collaborate with Aurora to minimize downtime and improve maintenance operations.

“Teaming up with Ryder’s sophisticated maintenance team will help to unlock the potential of autonomous trucks for around-the-clock operation. This collaboration will add value to our pilot customers and ultimately strengthen our commercial product, Aurora Horizon,” says Kendra Phillips, vice president of service delivery at Aurora.

Ryder’s nearly 90 years of fleet maintenance experience will be instrumental as Aurora prepares to deliver Aurora Horizon. Aurora expects on-site maintenance in its terminals to be particularly significant as it increases pilot customer hauls to 100 per week, which it anticipates reaching at the end of 2023.

“As we co-develop our playbook for on-site maintenance at our terminals, we look forward to collaborating with Ryder on other services like roadside assistance and terminal operations to develop autonomous service delivery at scale,” adds Phillips.

About Aurora

Aurora (Nasdaq: AUR) is delivering the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly to make transportation safer, increasingly accessible, and more reliable and efficient than ever before. The Aurora Driver is a self-driving system designed to operate multiple vehicle types, from freight-hauling semi-trucks to ride-hailing passenger vehicles, and underpins Aurora Horizon and Aurora Connect, its driver-as-a-service products for trucking and ride-hailing. Aurora is working with industry leaders across the transportation ecosystem, including Toyota, FedEx, Volvo Trucks, PACCAR, Uber, Uber Freight, U.S. Xpress, Werner, Covenant, Schneider, and Ryder. To learn more, visit www.aurora.tech.

Aurora Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including but not limited, to those statements around services that may be offered to current or future customers, utilization rates of the Aurora Driver or other autonomous technology, and the commercialization of Aurora’s products. These statements are based on management’s current assumptions and are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, please see the risks and uncertainties identified under the heading “Risk Factors” section of Aurora Innovation, Inc.’s (“Aurora”) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 12, 2022, and other documents filed by Aurora from time to time with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements reflect our beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Aurora undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

About Ryder

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a leading logistics and transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, including full service leasing, rental, and maintenance, used vehicle sales, professional drivers, transportation services, freight brokerage, warehousing and distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, and last mile delivery services, to some world’s most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In addition, Ryder manages nearly 239,000 commercial vehicles and operates more than 330 warehouses, encompassing more than 80 million square feet. Ryder is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices in third-party logistics, technology-driven innovations, commercial vehicle maintenance, environmentally friendly solutions, corporate social responsibility, world-class safety and security programs, military veteran recruitment initiatives, and the hiring of a diverse workforce. www.ryder.com

Ryder Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including our expectations with respect to utilization rates for autonomous trucks and our ability to provide on-site terminable maintenance, are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221107005244/en/

Investor Relations:

Stacy Feit

ir@aurora.tech

(323) 610-0847

Media:

Khobi Brooklyn

press@aurora.tech

(415) 699-3657

Source: Aurora Innovation Inc.

FAQ

What is the collaboration between Aurora Innovation and Ryder System?

Aurora Innovation and Ryder System have partnered for on-site fleet maintenance to support operations of autonomous trucks.

How will the partnership benefit Aurora Innovation (AUR)?

The collaboration aims to enhance vehicle utilization and efficiency through on-site maintenance, vital for scaling operations.

What are Aurora's expectations for pilot customer hauls in 2023?

Aurora expects to increase pilot customer hauls to 100 weekly by the end of 2023 as part of the collaboration.

Where is the on-site maintenance pilot taking place?

The pilot for on-site maintenance is taking place at Aurora’s terminal in South Dallas.

What services will Ryder technicians provide at Aurora's terminal?

Ryder technicians will conduct inspections, preventative maintenance, and repairs on Aurora's fleet of autonomous tractors.