Aurora Innovation CEO Targets Hundreds of Driverless Trucks and $80M Run Rate by End of 2026

Company expects major scale-up in fleet, new hardware, and expanding operational capability in 2026.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Aurora Innovation CEO Chris Urmson told investors at a conference that the company's past year marked a major shift from development to real-world deployment of its self-driving truck technology. Urmson said Aurora expects to be running a couple hundred driverless trucks by the end of 2026, up from a 'handful' currently, and plans to launch its second-generation hardware in Q2 on a new truck platform. The company forecasts an $80 million revenue run rate by the end of 2026 as it expands across the Southern U.S.

Why it matters

Aurora's plans represent a significant step forward in the commercialization of autonomous trucking technology, which could have major implications for the logistics and transportation industries. The company's focus on safety, reliability, and scalability is critical as self-driving trucks move from pilot programs to broader commercial deployment.

The details

Urmson said Aurora currently operates driverless trucks daily, but expects to be running 'a couple of hundred trucks' driverlessly by the end of 2026. The company plans to launch its second-generation hardware in Q2 on a new truck platform from International, operating driverlessly 'nobody on board' while serving customers. Aurora expects to expand across the Southern U.S. during the year and sees mapping as an operational task rather than a technical barrier. The company has partnered with ROUSH to upfit International trucks and expects to be producing 20 trucks per week for deployment in the back half of 2026.

  • In 2025, Aurora launched what Urmson described as the first driverless trucks operating daily in the U.S.
  • Over the course of 2025, Aurora expanded from daylight-only operations on a particular route in good weather to operating 'day and night across a variety of routes' including in rain and higher winds.
  • Aurora expects to launch its second-generation hardware in Q2 2026.
  • By the end of 2026, Aurora expects to be running 'a couple of hundred trucks' driverlessly.
  • In the back half of 2026, Aurora expects to be producing 20 trucks per week for deployment.

The players

Chris Urmson

Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Innovation.

Aurora Innovation

A technology company specializing in the development of self-driving vehicle systems for both passenger and commercial applications, headquartered in Mountain View, California.

ROUSH

A partner of Aurora Innovation that will upfit International trucks with Aurora's second-generation hardware kit.

Detmar

A customer that approached Aurora to move sand between a mine and distribution center using freeway routes, which Urmson characterized as a 'virtual conveyor belt' where greater truck utilization translates directly into more material moved.

Fabrinet

A manufacturer that will produce Aurora's second-generation hardware, supporting up to about 1,500 units.

Imovio

A partner of Aurora that will finance the hardware for Aurora's third-generation system, with Aurora paying based on utilization.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.