President Donald Trump’s new administration, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, could help deliver a national standard for autonomous vehicles, Aurora co-founder and CEO Chris Urmson said on an earnings call Feb. 12.
Aurora is optimistic “the new presidential administration's enthusiasm for innovation, safety and a nationwide framework for self-driving vehicles could further support this favorable regulatory environment for driverless deployment in the U.S.,” Urmson said.
Most states allow autonomous operations already, the company has noted, but the firm reported on the call that it’s still finalizing its safety case over the next several weeks. A spokesperson said Friday in an email that “we anticipate closing the safety case in the coming weeks ahead of initiating driverless operations.”
The company has committed to a commercial launch in Texas this coming April. Aurora plans to begin with one truck on a Houston to Dallas lane before expanding to 10 trucks later this year. In the second half of the year, the company will focus on expanding AV capabilities to include night driving and rainy conditions, Urmson said. He also suggested there will be route expansion from Fort Worth to El Paso and another route involving Phoenix, Arizona.
The AV industry has been pushing for a national framework for years. In the meantime, AV firms have flocked to Texas for its less-snow-prone weather and friendlier regulatory climate for self-driving vehicles, helping accelerate the technology's deployment.
AV firms have centered on Texas for its friendlier regulatory climate for self-driving vehicles and mild weather, helping accelerate the deployment of the technology.
But having a national standard would “help mitigate the somewhat patchwork set of regulations we operate within,” Urmson said.
The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, which represents Aurora and other AV firms, has reinforced that messaging. In its annual report for 2025, the group called on a federal framework to support deployment and commercialization of AV technology.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) must assert its responsibility over the design, construction, and performance of autonomous vehicles and increase its efforts in key areas,” the report said. “AVIA also encourages Congress to act in critical areas and conduct oversight over USDOT’s efforts.”
