The startup Aurora is partnering with the FCA to develop autonomous commercial vehicles



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Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast (AP)

Earlier this year, Aurora Innovation, a self-driving startup, has raised more than $ 500,000 in investors. It looks like the company is doing well, as Aurora announced yesterday its partnership with Fiat Chrysler to develop stand-alone platforms for its commercial vehicles.

More on Aurora's blog:

Over the past two years, this work has refined our driver, standardized its interfaces and enhanced its ability to powerfully drive vehicles of different makes, models and classes. To date, the Aurora pilot has been integrated into six vehicle platforms – from sedans, SUVs and minivans to a large utility vehicle and a Class 8 truck.

Today, we are pleased to announce that we have signed an agreement with FCA to lay the groundwork for a strong partnership in the field of autonomous commercial vehicles. This partnership will further extend the reach of the Aurora pilot, which will enable us to offer diverse solutions to strategic customers in the areas of logistics, transit and others.

Basically, we are looking at the implementation of stand-alone technologies in the commercial sector. Many companies are exploring self-sufficiency in transportation services and personal vehicles, but the real utility of vehicle autonomy could be to solve the "last mile" problem for retailers. Delivery vans with programmable and predictable routes could be an important first step towards autonomous technological implementation.

More from Reuters:

Aurora already has partnerships with Volkswagen AG, Hyundai Motor Co and Byton in China to develop and test self-drive systems for a range of applications for automakers, fleet owners and others.

Fiat Chrysler has already partnered with Waymo, Alphabet's stand-alone unit, to supply Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans to Waymo's driverless fleet, which is currently operating in Arizona.

The financial terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, as well as a more in-depth review of what the partnership will involve exactly.

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