Masters of Scale Rapid Response: When to build the company before the product, with Aurora CEO Chris Urmson
Sep 9, 2021
Chris Urmson, CEO of Aurora and former leader of Google's self-driving efforts, discusses his unique approach to building a self-driving technology company. He emphasizes the need to develop the company structure before the product due to the complexities involved. Urmson also addresses the safety measures in self-driving tech, the societal implications like job displacement, and the importance of cultivating a strong company culture through initiatives like 'Lobatical,' which rewards employees with extra vacation time. His vision aims to profoundly transform transportation.
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Safety-First Approach
- Aurora prioritizes a safety-first culture in developing self-driving technology.
- They use multiple sensors (LIDAR, radar, camera) for robust environmental awareness.
Aurora Driver
- The Aurora Driver is a software platform integrating software, hardware, and data services.
- It works across various vehicles but requires integration with manufacturers, not just bolting onto existing cars.
Simulation Focus
- Aurora emphasizes data quality over quantity and uses simulations for efficient testing.
- This allows testing specific scenarios and validating safety at scale beyond real-world limitations.