Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, has stepped down from the board of Aurora Innovation, a self-driving truck technology company.
In a regulatory filing on Friday, Khosrowshahi cited the decision as part of his efforts to focus on his leadership responsibilities at Uber and reduce external commitments.
A Longstanding Partnership
Khosrowshahi’s resignation, effective as of January 2, 2025, is not linked to any disagreement with Aurora Innovation. His involvement with Aurora dates back to 2020, when Uber sold its Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), its self-driving vehicle division, to Aurora. The deal included a $400 million investment from Uber, giving the company a 26% stake in the merged entity.
Since then, Uber and Aurora Innovation have collaborated closely, particularly through Uber Freight, which integrates Aurora’s self-driving technology into freight logistics. In June 2024, the companies announced a multi-year partnership to bring autonomous trucks powered by Aurora to Uber’s freight network.Photonics, remarked:
“This funding accelerates our mission to redefine AR experiences with true holography, delivering efficient and cost-effective solutions for the market.”
Advertisement
Non-Exclusive Partnerships in Autonomous Tech
While Uber maintains a relationship with Aurora, the company also works with other self-driving truck firms, such as Waabi, founded by former Uber ATG executive Raquel Urtasun.
A New Chapter for Aurora’s Board
Replacing Khosrowshahi on Aurora’s board is Shailen Bhatt, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at AtkinsRéalis and former Federal Highway Administration official. Bhatt’s extensive background in transportation and infrastructure brings a new perspective to Aurora’s leadership.
This leadership change follows the announcement that Nolan Shenai, Aurora’s General Counsel, will also be leaving the company on January 6, 2025. Ossa Fisher, Aurora’s President, will assume Shenai’s responsibilities on an interim basis.
Looking Ahead
Dara Khosrowshahi’s departure marks a shift in Aurora’s board composition as the company continues to drive innovation in autonomous trucking. Uber, under Dara Khosrowshahi’s leadership, remains focused on integrating cutting-edge technologies into its ecosystem while balancing partnerships across the autonomous vehicle sector.
