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Aurora Gives First Look at Self-Driving Toyota Sienna Aimed for Ride-Hailing Services

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September 20, 2021

Aurora, which develops autonomous driving technologies, has shared the first look at the Toyota Sienna powered by the Aurora Driver, which is designed for “a convenient and comfortable ride-hailing experience.” The announcement is part of the company’s path to commercializing Aurora-powered Toyota vehicles designed specifically for ride hailing.

The new vehicle is built on the progress made by Toyota and Uber ATG, and the integration process Aurora established in its Aurora Driver Development Program. Aurora said this has moved faster than anticipated toward their goal. In collaboration with Toyota’s engineering team, Aurora defined the requirements that will enable the Toyota S-AM, a hybrid electric platform to be safely operated by the Aurora Driver.

Aurora said it is now integrating the Driver with  Toyota’s first S-AM vehicles, fresh off the production line. As progress is made through the driver development program, Aurora said it will expand testing of this prototype, refine it through pilots, and validate it in accordance with its safety case framework and Toyota’s own safety standards. Once completed, Aurora said it expects to launch it on ride-hailing networks at scale.

The company added that it will test and mature the initial development fleet in Pittsburgh, Dallas, the San Francisco Bay Area, and additional locations.

In July, the company announced it would merge and go public through a SPAC acquisition. For more details on Aurora, visit its website here.

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