FedEx and Aurora Expand Autonomous Commercial Linehaul Trucking Pilot in Texas Ahead of Schedule

Rhea-AI Summary

Aurora Innovation and FedEx have expanded their collaboration by launching a new commercial route in Texas, now autonomously transporting shipments from Fort Worth to El Paso. This extension of their pilot program, started in September 2021, showcases the efficiency of Aurora's autonomous trucks, which have delivered 100% of shipments on time. With 60,000 miles completed and zero safety incidents, Aurora aims to increase trip frequency while addressing industry challenges like labor shortages and demand for quick deliveries.

Positive

• The pilot program expansion ahead of schedule indicates strong partnership momentum.
• Deliveries between Dallas and Houston have maintained a 100% on-time record.
• Aurora has achieved 60,000 miles with zero safety incidents, enhancing its reliability.
• The autonomous trucking solution addresses industry challenges, including labor shortages.

Negative

• None.

The companies strengthen collaboration by launching a new commercial route between Fort Worth and El Paso to transport goods safely, reliably, and on time.

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUR) and FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) announced the expansion of their pilot program to autonomously move FedEx shipments on an additional commercial lane in Texas.

Aurora is now autonomously hauling freight for FedEx on two commercial lanes: Dallas to Houston, and Fort Worth to El Paso. (Photo: Aurora)

In March 2022, Aurora's next-generation autonomous trucks – based on the new Peterbilt 579 – began to transport FedEx shipments between Aurora’s new terminals in Fort Worth and El Paso. Aurora is making the 600-mile trip on a weekly basis with safety drivers on board and expects to increase the frequency of trips in the coming months. Aurora continues to move shipments for FedEx between Aurora’s South Dallas terminal and its new Houston terminal on a daily basis.

Progress and momentum: FedEx and Aurora pilot snapshot

• Since the commercial pilot began in September 2021, Aurora’s deliveries of FedEx shipments between Dallas and Houston have been 100% on time.
• With each trip, the Aurora Driver (Aurora’s self-driving technology product) is providing thousands of FedEx customers with packages that were autonomously transported.
• Aurora moves trailers for FedEx during various weather conditions and all hours of the day and night, optimizing fleet utilization.
• Aurora completed daily hauls during the 2021 peak Holiday season, the busiest time of year for FedEx.
• To date, the companies have completed 60,000 miles with zero safety incidents.

Aurora’s performance throughout this pilot demonstrates the value proposition autonomous trucking offers for transportation and logistics providers as the company works toward the commercial launch of its autonomous trucks. In light of the headwinds facing the logistics industry – ranging from increasing demand for the quick transportation of shipments to a challenging labor market – the Aurora Driver, when integrated into existing linehaul operations, has potential to provide a reliable, efficient linehaul solution to help address such industry concerns.

“Innovation is in our DNA – our culture drives us to think radically and differently, finding new ways to use technology to enhance safety, improve our operations, empower our team members and help our customers succeed,” said Rebecca Yeung, Corporate Vice President, Operations Science & Advanced Technology, FedEx Corporation. “Aurora has been a like-minded collaborator, helping us learn from and grow our autonomous trucking solutions. We look forward to our continued work together as we test further integration of autonomous technology into our operations to build a collaborative, robust network of solutions to respond to growing customer demand.”

“Some time ago, I was asked why the general public should care about autonomous trucking. This is why. In six months of working with FedEx, we’ve safely, reliably, and efficiently transported packages for tens of thousands of FedEx customers,” said Sterling Anderson, Aurora Co-founder and Chief Product Officer. “This lane expansion came ahead of schedule and we’re delighted to continue building the future of trucking with one of the country’s biggest and most important transportation companies.”

FedEx Corporation’s Rebecca Yeung and Aurora’s Sterling Anderson will also be speaking about how autonomous trucks can transform logistics and the movement of goods later today at TechCrunch Mobility Summit.

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 the commercialization efforts and developments in activities between FedEx and Aurora. 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 March 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on May 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 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 partnered with industry leaders across the transportation ecosystem, including Toyota, FedEx, Volvo Trucks, PACCAR, Uber, Uber Freight, U.S. Xpress, Werner, and Covenant. To learn more, visit www.aurora.tech.

About FedEx

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $92 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its nearly 600,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

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Khobi Brooklyn

press@aurora.tech

(415) 699-3657

Source: Aurora Innovation, Inc.

FAQ

What new routes has Aurora launched with FedEx in Texas?

Aurora has launched a new commercial route transporting goods from Fort Worth to El Paso.

What is the history of the collaboration between Aurora and FedEx?

The collaboration began in September 2021 with an autonomous trucking pilot program.

What performance metrics has Aurora achieved in its pilot with FedEx?

Aurora has completed 60,000 miles with zero safety incidents and maintained 100% on-time deliveries.

What technology does Aurora use for autonomous trucking?

Aurora uses its self-driving technology, known as the Aurora Driver, for autonomous trucking operations.

How does the partnership with FedEx benefit Aurora Innovation?

The partnership allows Aurora to demonstrate the viability of its autonomous technology in real-world logistics.