Dara Khosrowshahi’s Decision to Leave the Board of Aurora Innovation
In a recent regulatory filing, it has been announced that Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, is resigning from the board of autonomous vehicle technology company Aurora Innovation. This decision comes as a result of 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, with no indication that it was due to any disagreements with the company.
Background on Khosrowshahi’s Involvement with Aurora Innovation
Aurora Innovation and Uber have a significant history together. In 2020, Uber offloaded its self-driving unit, Uber ATG, to Aurora as part of a deal that involved handing over its equity in ATG and investing $400 million into the company. This investment gave Uber a 26% stake in the combined entity.
As a result of this deal, Khosrowshahi joined Aurora’s board. Through Uber Freight, the ride-hail and delivery giant maintained its connection with Aurora, further solidifying their partnership.
Recent Developments between Uber and Aurora
In June, Uber and Aurora announced a multi-year collaboration to integrate trucks powered by Aurora’s technology into the Uber Freight network. This deal marked a significant step forward in the development of autonomous vehicles for commercial fleets.
However, it is worth noting that Uber’s relationship with Aurora is not exclusive. The company also has a deal with Waabi, a self-driving truck startup founded by Raquel Urtasun, who previously served as chief scientist and head of R&D at Uber ATG.
New Board Member Appointed
Following Khosrowshahi’s resignation, Shailen Bhatt, senior vice president and chief operating officer for AtkinsRéalis, has been appointed to the board in his place. Bhatt brings a background working for the Federal Highway Administration, which is expected to be beneficial in supporting Aurora’s development of autonomous vehicles.
Recent Executive Departure at Aurora
Khosrowshahi’s decision to leave the board comes just weeks after Nolan Shenai, Aurora’s general counsel, shared 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
This article was updated to include information about Aurora’s new board member and another recent executive departure.
Related Topics
- Aurora Innovation: The autonomous vehicle technology company at the center of this story.
- Startups: Companies in their early stages, often characterized by innovation and risk-taking.
- Transportation: The industry encompassing various modes of transportation, including cars, trucks, buses, trains, and more.
- Uber: The ride-hail and delivery giant with a significant stake in the development of autonomous vehicles.
About the Author
Rebecca Bellan is a senior reporter at TechCrunch, covering the transportation beat. She has invested in Ethereum and studied journalism and history at Boston University.
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