Background and Recent Developments

In a recent regulatory filing, it was announced that Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, has resigned from the board of autonomous vehicle technology company Aurora Innovation. This decision was effective as of Tuesday, marking the end of his tenure on the board.

Khosrowshahi’s Reason for Resignation

According to the filing, Khosrowshahi cited a desire to focus on his ongoing responsibilities as CEO of Uber and reduce external board commitments. The resignation was not due to any disagreement with Aurora Innovation, according to the company.

History between Uber and Aurora Innovation

The relationship between Uber and Aurora Innovation dates back to 2020 when Uber offloaded its self-driving unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora. As part of the deal, Uber handed over its equity in ATG and invested $400 million into Aurora, giving it a 26% stake in the combined company. Khosrowshahi joined Aurora’s board as part of this agreement.

Collaborations between Uber and Aurora Innovation

Despite the sale of Uber ATG to Aurora, Uber maintained its connection with the company through its freight brokerage platform, Uber Freight. In June, Uber and Aurora announced a multi-year collaboration to put trucks powered by Aurora’s technology on the Uber Freight network. This partnership is not exclusive, as Uber also has a deal with Waabi, the self-driving truck startup founded by Raquel Urtasun.

New Board Member at Aurora Innovation

Shailen Bhatt, senior vice president and chief operating officer for AtkinsRéalis, will join Aurora’s board in Khosrowshahi’s place. Bhatt has a background working for the Federal Highway Administration, providing valuable experience to the company.

Recent Executive Departure at Aurora Innovation

This news comes on the heels of Nolan Shenai, Aurora’s general counsel, sharing his intention to step down effective January 6, 2025. Ossa Fisher, Aurora’s president, will take over Shenai’s responsibilities while the company considers his replacement.

Update on Recent Developments

The article was updated to include information about Aurora’s new board member and another recent executive departure.

Key Takeaways

  • Dara Khosrowshahi has resigned from the board of Aurora Innovation due to a desire to focus on his responsibilities as CEO of Uber.
  • The resignation was effective as of Tuesday and was not due to any disagreement with the company.
  • Aurora Innovation’s collaboration with Uber through its freight brokerage platform, Uber Freight, continues despite the sale of Uber ATG to the company.

Related Topics

Aurora Innovation

Recommended Reading

If you are interested in learning more about the latest developments in transportation and technology, we recommend checking out our other articles: