Chris Urmson, CEO, chairman, and co-founder of Aurora, is widely regarded as one of the self-driving industry’s foremost pioneers and influential voices. His work and leadership in robotics and artificial intelligence have established him as a true visionary in the field of autonomy.

Chris completed his undergraduate degree in computer engineering at the University of Manitoba before earning a Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, a leading institution in robotics research. At Carnegie Mellon, Chris became deeply involved in autonomous vehicle research, playing a key role in the university’s Tartan Racing team during the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenges. These competitions, designed to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles, highlighted Chris’ capabilities. In 2007, his team won the DARPA Urban Challenge, demonstrating the feasibility of autonomous driving in complex urban environments and establishing Chris as a leader in the field. Chris’ success at Carnegie Mellon attracted the attention of Google, which he joined in 2009 to work on its nascent self-driving car project, known as the Google Chauffeur project, and now Waymo. As the technical lead, Chris oversaw significant advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, emphasizing safety and reliability.

Chris co-founded Aurora Innovation in 2017 with a mission to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. Chris and his team of industry experts are planning the Commercial Launch of Aurora autonomous trucks at the end of 2024. This milestone will shape the future of mobility and deliver on the promise to make American roads safer.