Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Resigns From Self-Driving Truck Startup Aurora's Board

Table of Contents

Dara Khosrowshahi Resigns from Aurora’s Board of Directors

In a regulatory filing on Friday, it was announced that Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, has resigned from the board of autonomous vehicle technology company Aurora Innovation. The decision to leave the board comes as Khosrowshahi cites his desire to focus on his ongoing responsibilities at Uber and reduce external board commitments.

Effective Date of Resignation

Khosrowshahi’s resignation was effective as of Tuesday, according to the filing. This move is seen as a strategic one for Khosrowshahi, allowing him to devote more time to leading Uber and potentially exploring new business opportunities.

Background on Khosrowshahi and Aurora’s Relationship

Aurora Innovation and Uber have a long-standing relationship, dating back to 2020 when Uber sold its self-driving unit, ATG, to Aurora. As part of the deal, Uber invested $400 million into Aurora, acquiring a 26% stake in the combined company. Khosrowshahi joined Aurora’s board as a result of this agreement.

Continued Collaboration Between Uber and Aurora

The partnership between Uber and Aurora continues through their collaboration on self-driving trucks. In June, the companies announced a multi-year deal to integrate Aurora’s technology into Uber Freight, connecting shippers with carriers powered by Aurora’s autonomous vehicles.

Exclusive Deals and Partnerships

It is worth noting that Uber’s relationship with Aurora is not exclusive. The company has also partnered with Waabi, another self-driving truck startup founded by Raquel Urtasun, a former chief scientist at Uber ATG. This diverse range of partnerships highlights the growing interest in autonomous vehicle technology.

Shailen Bhatt to Join Aurora’s Board

To replace Khosrowshahi on the board, Shailen Bhatt, senior vice president and chief operating officer for AtkinsRéalis, will join Aurora’s board. Bhatt brings a wealth of experience working with government agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration.

Recent Executive Departures at Aurora

This news comes on the heels of another executive departure from Aurora, as Nolan Shenai, general counsel, shared his intention to step down effective January 6, 2025. Ossa Fisher, president of Aurora, will assume Shenai’s responsibilities while the company searches for a replacement.

Additional Context and Insights

Rebecca Bellan, Senior Reporter at TechCrunch, has been closely following the developments in the transportation sector. With her expertise and experience covering topics such as micromobility, EVs, AVs, smart cities, AI, and sustainability, readers can expect insightful analysis on this story.

Conclusion

Dara Khosrowshahi’s resignation from Aurora Innovation’s board of directors marks an interesting development in the autonomous vehicle technology space. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how companies like Uber and Aurora navigate their partnerships and collaborations.