FCA, Aurora to Partner to Develop and Deploy Self-Driving Commercial Vehicles

Auburn Hills’ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and California’s Aurora Innovation today announced plans to integrate the Aurora Driver self-driving platform into commercial vehicles. No financial or timeframe details were provided.
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Lincoln with the Aurora Driver self-driving platform
FCA has partnered with Aurora Innovation to integrate Aurora’s self-driving platform into commercial vehicles. // Photo courtesy of Aurora

Auburn Hills’ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and California’s Aurora Innovation today announced plans to integrate the Aurora Driver self-driving platform into commercial vehicles. No financial or timeframe details were provided.

The Aurora Driver is Aurora’s self-driving platform that comprises the hardware, software, and data services that guide vehicles on roads and highways. Delivering level-4 autonomy, Aurora Driver is composed of technology that is able to sense and navigate the environment without human intervention.

Through the proposed partnership, FCA and Aurora would integrate the Aurora Driver into FCA commercial vehicle lines. This would allow for a variety of customized solutions for commercial vehicle customers at a time when changing lifestyles and online shopping patterns are creating logistical opportunities.

“As part of FCA’s autonomous vehicle strategy, we will continue to work with strategic partners to address the needs of customers in a rapidly changing industry,” says Mike Manley, CEO of FCA. “Aurora brings a unique skillset combined with advanced and purposeful technology that complements and enhances our approach to self-driving.”

FCA brings expertise in the design, development, and manufacturing of a wide range of commercial vehicles, as well as established relationships with a broad range of suppliers, dealers, and commercial vehicle customers needed to deploy this technology.

“We are thrilled to forge a partnership with FCA US to develop a meaningful business model for delivering the benefits of self-driving commercial vehicles,” says Sterling Anderson, co-founder and chief product officer of Aurora.