Dara Khosrowshahi has announced his resignation from the board of Aurora Innovation, an autonomous vehicle technology company. The move comes as he seeks to focus more on his current responsibilities as CEO of Uber and reduce external board commitments, according to a regulatory filing filed on Friday.
The effective date of Khosrowshahi’s resignation was Tuesday, marking the end of his tenure with Aurora. Aurora has stated that Khosrowshahi’s departure did not result from any disagreements with the company during his time on the board.
A long-time relationship between Uber and Aurora dates back to 2020, when Uber sold its self-driving unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora in exchange for a stake in the combined company. The deal also involved Uber investing $400 million into Aurora and handing over equity in its autonomous technology division. This move solidified Uber’s connection with Aurora, as the two companies continued their collaboration beyond the sale.
Through Uber Freight, a platform that connects shippers and carriers, Uber maintained its ties with Aurora. In June, Uber and Aurora announced a multi-year partnership to deploy trucks powered by Aurora’s advanced transportation technology onto the Uber Freight network. This deal underscores the ongoing synergy between the two companies despite non-exclusive agreements in place.
Aurora also maintains a relationship with Waabi, a self-driving truck startup founded by Raquel Urtasun. Urtasun previously served as the chief scientist and head of R&D at Uber ATG. This additional partnership highlights Aurora’s growing influence within the transportation sector.
Shailen Bhatt, who has experience working for the Federal Highway Administration, will join Aurora’s board in Khosrowshahi’s absence. Her role is set to strengthen Aurora’s leadership in the transportation space.
Khosrowshahi’s decision to leave the board comes shortly after Nolan Shenai, Aurora’s general counsel, announced his intention to step down on January 6, 2025. Ossa Fisher will assume Shenai’s responsibilities until a replacement is identified. This transition marks a pivotal moment for Aurora as it seeks to maintain its momentum in an increasingly competitive market.
The article was updated to include information about Aurora’s new board member and recent executive departures, reflecting the evolving landscape of the company’s leadership.
Topics
- Aurora Innovation
- Startups
- Transportation
- Uber
- Uber Freight
Rebecca Bellan
Senior Reporter, Transportation
Rebecca Bellan covers transportation for TechCrunch. She specializes in emerging technologies such as micromobility, electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous vehicles (AVs), smart cities, AI, and sustainability. Her work has appeared in major outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.
Previously, Rebecca worked at Ford Motor Company, where she covered electric vehicles and sustainability initiatives. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Additional Details
This article is part of a series exploring key developments in the transportation sector, including innovations in autonomous vehicles, the rise of startups, and regulatory challenges faced by traditional automakers. For more insights into the industry, please visit our website or follow our latest updates on trending technologies.
