# When trucks drive themselves with Chris Urmson of Aurora

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-07-20
- Length: 40m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora

## Summary

Chris Urmson, founder of Aurora, discusses his journey from the DARPA Grand Challenges to leading Google's self-driving car project and finally launching Aurora to automate long-haul trucking. He explains Aurora's 'First Light' LIDAR technology, the distinction between Level 2 assistance and Level 4 autonomy, and the company's strategy of selling an autonomous driving system rather than building vehicles. Urmson outlines the safety case, regulatory engagement, and the phased rollout plan for driverless trucks on specific US freight corridors.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora#t=0) Introduction: Chris Urmson and Aurora
- [1:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora#t=98) DARPA Grand Challenges and Early Robotics
- [13:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora#t=819) Google's Secret Self-Driving Car Project
- [18:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora#t=1134) Founding Aurora and First Light LIDAR
- [23:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora#t=1391) Level 4 Autonomy and Safety Validation
- [32:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-20-when-trucks-drive-themselves-with-chris-urmson-of-aurora#t=1970) Commercial Launch and Regulatory Strategy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Aurora (company)
- Waymo (company)
- Google (company)
- Carnegie Mellon (company)
- DARPA (company)
- First Light (product)
- FedEx (company)
- Peterbilt (product)
- Tesla (company)
- Stanford (company)
- GM (company)
- Continental (company)
- Hyundai (company)
- Kia (company)
- Paccar (company)
- Schneider (company)
- Hirschback (company)
- Warner (company)
- FMCSA (company)
- NHTSA (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 33 | From Autonomous Golf Carts to Semis: The Journey to the Self-Driving Truck](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-10-06-ep-33-from-autonomous-golf-carts-to-semis-the-journey-to-the-self-driving-truck) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Cracking the code on autonomous trucking](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-05-07-cracking-the-code-on-autonomous-trucking) (Catalyst)
- [Nuro navigates to fully autonomous driving](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-11-27-nuro-navigates-to-fully-autonomous-driving) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Kodiak Robotics & autonomous trucks, Anthony Levandowski going to jail](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-08-05-kodiak-robotics-autonomous-trucks-anthony-levandowski-going-to-jail) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Why did Aurora buy Uber ATG?; Robotics thriving in Pittsburgh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-12-09-why-did-aurora-buy-uber-atg-robotics-thriving-in-pittsburgh) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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