Aurora uses next-gen hardware to add more driverless trucks in the Southeast

Aurora Innovation (AUR) announced on Wednesday the launch of its second-generation driverless trucks in the U.S. The company highlighted that the driverless Class 8 trucks on the road across 10 different routes in the Southeast are aimed at meeting the insatiable customer demand since last year's history-making launch in Texas and reflect its move from proving the technology works to scaling it in regular service.

Before the launch, Aurora (AUR) closed its safety case, its well-established bar for operations on public roads without a person behind the wheel, for the new truck and hardware. The second generation of self-driving hardware from Aurora (AUR) led to observers being removed from the trucks.

Of note, Aurora's (AUR) self-driving system has now completed nearly 440K driverless miles as of the end of June, and that recent route expansion has helped drive commercial momentum, including a customer plan to buy 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks.

Aurora (AUR) added that the new trucks are based on the International LT Series and use next-generation hardware designed to be more powerful and last one million miles. The company plans to host a livestream debut of its second-generation driverless trucks on Thursday and will release its second quarter earnings report on July 29.

Shares of Aurora Innovation (AUR) were up 5.9% in Wednesday afternoon trading.