Aurora partners with Fiat to build self-driving vehicles

Aurora Innovation is partnering with automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to build self-driving vehicles of different makes and models, including commercial vehicles.

The company announced the partnership Monday.

“As part of FCA’s autonomous vehicle strategy we will continue to work with strategic partners in this space to address the needs of consumers in a rapidly changing industry,” Mike Manley, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Aurora brings a unique skill set combined with advanced and purposeful technology that complements and enhances our philosophy on self-driving.”

The Aurora Driver has been integrated into six motor vehicles that include sedans, SUVs and large commercial vehicles.

“We are thrilled to forge a partnership with FCA US to develop a meaningful business model for delivering the benefits of self-driving commercial vehicles,” Sterling Anderson, Aurora co-founder and chief product officer, said in a statement.

Aurora already has partnerships with Hyundai and Volkswagen. It’s one of four driverless vehicle companies and Carnegie Mellon University conducting road tests in Allegheny County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. While the autonomous industry has seen an explosion of growth in recent years, no other county in Pennsylvania has as many testers as Allegheny.

In February, Aurora announced a $500 million infusion from a group of investors to help accelerate development of autonomous vehicles. Founded two years ago, the self-driving car company shares a headquarters in Pittsburgh and Palo Alto, Calif. Roughly half of its 200 employees are located in Pittsburgh.