Generative Now | AI Builders on Creating the Future

Chris Urmson: The Future of Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Sep 19, 2024

Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora Innovation, discusses his journey from the DARPA Grand Challenge to leading Google’s self-driving project. He highlights the potential of autonomous technology in trucking, detailing how advancements like LiDAR are revolutionizing freight transport. Chris addresses the challenges of mimicking human behavior in driving and the importance of building trust through transparent regulation. He envisions a future where autonomous vehicles significantly impact both the trucking industry and personal transportation.

49:32

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Chris Urmson

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Quick takeaways

Chris Urmson emphasizes the crucial role of advanced AI and sensor technology in safely automating the freight trucking industry, addressing driver shortages.

Aurora's cautious rollout strategy aims to ensure the safety and reliability of autonomous vehicles while adapting to evolving regulatory standards.

Deep dives

The Journey to Autonomous Vehicles

The development of autonomous vehicles began with early experiments, such as the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2003, which challenged teams to build robots that could navigate a course through the desert. Chris Ermson, the CEO of Aurora, describes his formative experiences in this field, including successes and setbacks in early competitions. After seeing the potential for self-driving technology, he co-founded Aurora to help make this technology a reality, focusing initially on freight truck automation. This journey highlights the evolution from initial skepticism about autonomous vehicles to the current advancements in AI that are driving their development.

Intro

2min

Journey Through Autonomous Vehicle Development

5min

Autonomous Innovations in Trucking

11min

The Evolution and Complexity of Autonomous Vehicles

22min

Navigating Autonomous Vehicle Regulations

5min

Building Trust Through Transparency in Autonomous Technology

2min

Future Prospects of Autonomous Vehicle Adoption

4min

Generative AI is making it possible to not only remove the human from the driver seat, but, in the world of trucking and freight, from the vehicle entirely.

This week on Generative Now, Lightspeed Partner and host Michael Mignano speaks with Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora Innovation, a company that makes software for autonomous vehicles with a focus on the trucking industry. Chris shares his journey from participating in the self-driving vehicle DARPA Grand Challenge early in his career, to leading the autonomous vehicle program at Google. Michael also talks with Chris about why Aurora focuses on the trucking and freight industry, the challenge of designing AI systems for self-driving technology, and how technological advancements in radar and LiDAR have helped make autonomous vehicles possible . Chris discusses his insights about developing AI systems to mimic human driving, and how he sees the future of autonomous vehicles for both trucking and personal cars.

Chris Urmson is the co-founder and CEO of Aurora Innovation. Before co-founding Aurora, Chris led the development of Google’s autonomous vehicle project (later known as Waymo) from 2009 to 2016. As a graduate student, he also led the Carnegie Mellon University team for the DARPA Grand and Urban Challenge as the Director of Technology, winning second and third place in 2005, and first place in 2007. Chris received his BEng in Computer Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and his Ph.D. in robotics from Carnegie Mellon.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(01:44) Chris Urmson’s Early Work

(04:43) Founding Aurora Innovation

(06:25) Aurora’s Focus on Freight and Trucking

(09:32) The Challenges in Trucking

(17:08) Advancements in Autonomous Vehicle Technology

(25:01) Using AI to Enhance Safety in Autonomous Vehicles

(27:06) Handling Complex Driving Scenarios

(31:40) Addressing Maintenance and Fueling for an Autonomous Vehicle

(36:36) Regulatory Considerations

(45:47) Predictions for the Future of Autonomous Vehicles

(48:57) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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