• Driverless freight tech firm Aurora will handle the lengthier, less desirable routes for Hirschbach.
• The deal also includes a non-binding MoU for Hirschbach to purchase 500 Aurora Driver-powered trucks with delivery beginning in 2027.
• Aurora has driven more than 800,000 miles while delivering over 2,000 loads for Hirschbach to date.

Shares of Aurora Innovation, Inc. (AUR) surged on Thursday after the company announced a partnership expansion with privately-held cold freight carrier Hirschbach Motor Lines, as it looks to expand driverless trucking across the U.S.

The trend of autonomous transportation is on the rise in the U.S., notably with the emergence of “self-driving” robotaxis, and its use case for moving freight is becoming increasingly popular, as it reduces operating costs and saves time.

At the time of writing, AUR shares were trading nearly 12% higher, with over eleven million shares already changing hands on the NASDAQ.

Driverless Trucking In Focus

According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two companies, the expanded partnership will help Hirschbach achieve its goal of covering 500 million miles of cold freight transport without a driver, with a focus on lengthier, less desirable routes.

For the autonomous trucking tech provider Aurora, the partnership will unlock a multi-year revenue stream in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The MoU also includes a plan for Hirschbach to buy 500 trucks equipped with the company’s flagship tech “Aurora Driver,” with deliveries beginning in 2027. These trucks will be mainly deployed on high-volume routes between customer facilities in the U.S. Sun Belt and beyond. 

Aurora has driven more than 800,000 miles while delivering over 2,000 loads for Hirschbach to date.

How Did Retail Traders React? 

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment about AUR turned ‘bullish’ from ‘bearish,’ while messaging volumes more than doubled over the last 24 hours.

One user on the platform calls the partnership “a huge commercial leap.”

Another user called it “incredible,” specifically for the 500-truck addition move.

AUR has outperformed the benchmark S&P index so far this year.

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