This podcast episode features Chris Urmson, CEO and co-founder of Aurora, sharing his inspiring journey in the autonomous vehicle industry, from early robotics challenges to pioneering self-driving technology. He discusses the crucial role of trucking in the economy and how self-driving trucks can enhance safety and efficiency amidst the driver shortage and high accident rates. Urmson highlights the evolution of technology from manual mapping to AI-driven systems, advocating for transparency and collaboration with regulators to ensure trust and responsible rollout of self-driving solutions. His insights underscore the importance of balancing safety with innovation in this rapidly advancing field.