Aurora, a pioneer in autonomous trucking technology, has unveiled its new, expansive 78,000 square-foot office and testing facility in Bozeman, Montana. Located on the campus of Montana State University’s Innovation Campus, the new space builds on the university’s 30-year legacy of producing cutting-edge photonics engineers and technological innovations. This new facility signifies a major step forward for Aurora, aligning with its ongoing efforts to advance autonomous freight transportation.
The facility was officially inaugurated today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key state officials, regulators, and local community leaders. The event marked the opening of a dedicated space that will support the continued research, development, and testing of Aurora’s proprietary FirstLight Lidar technology, which is integral to the company’s self-driving trucks. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art research labs, a world-class manufacturing area with a cleanroom, a specialized garage for vehicle testing, and modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration and innovation among the growing Bozeman team.
Aurora’s investment in the Bozeman facility reflects the company’s commitment to technological innovation and its deepening ties with the local community. “Our state is made stronger when companies like Aurora choose to expand their business in Montana,” said Montana Governor Greg Gianforte at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “From their investments in Bozeman to inspiring the next generation of innovators, Montana is seeing rapid growth in industries like photonics, thanks to job creators like Aurora.”
Shaping Montana’s Photonics Future
The ceremony brought together leaders from various Montana regulatory bodies, including those from the state’s departments of transportation and commerce. In addition to Governor Gianforte’s remarks, attendees heard from Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham, Montana State University Vice President Alison Harmon, and Aurora co-founder and CEO Chris Urmson. The event highlighted Aurora’s new lab and testing facilities, where the company is designing and refining the future of autonomous freight transportation.
“The grand opening of Aurora’s Bozeman facility is wonderful news for Montana,” said U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT). “Investing in cutting-edge technology and the photonics sector will create new jobs and build a more talented workforce in our state. I look forward to seeing the opportunities and progress that will come from this exciting development.”
Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham also expressed enthusiasm for Aurora’s decision to expand in the city. “We’re delighted to see Aurora’s commitment to Bozeman,” Cunningham said. “This ribbon-cutting event is an affirmation of the collaborative approach that the City of Bozeman, the State of Montana, Montana State University, and our business community take to foster an environment where innovative, high-tech businesses like Aurora can grow and thrive.”
A Strategic Move to Lead the Lidar Industry
Aurora’s decision to open the Bozeman facility is closely tied to its acquisition of Blackmore in 2019, a leading lidar company based in the city. Less than a year after acquiring Blackmore, Aurora leveraged its new resources and expertise in lidar architecture and digital signal processing to introduce the FirstLight Lidar – an advanced lidar sensor capable of detecting objects at over 450 meters, enabling autonomous trucks to safely navigate highways.
Chris Urmson, Aurora’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized Montana’s leadership in photonics as key to the company’s success. “From early on, we knew Montana’s photonics leadership would be invaluable for bringing safe, scalable self-driving technology to the world,” Urmson said. “Our new Bozeman office deepens our commitment to the region and strengthens our ability to expand our fleet of autonomous trucks.”
Driving Innovation and Growth in Autonomous Freight
The new facility also plays a crucial role in Aurora’s mission to advance the autonomous trucking industry. Equipped with its FirstLight Lidar technology, Aurora’s fleet of autonomous trucks currently operates on public roads in Texas, hauling commercial freight on a daily basis. With the opening of its Bozeman facility, Aurora is well-positioned to accelerate its development efforts. The company has announced plans to commercially launch its autonomous trucking product in Texas by April 2025.
As the industry leader in lidar development, Aurora is at the forefront of shaping the future of autonomous freight transportation. With its Bozeman office playing a critical role in this endeavor, the company continues to strengthen its ties to Montana’s growing photonics sector while simultaneously driving progress in the autonomous vehicle space. The facility will provide new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and economic growth, benefiting both the local community and the broader transportation industry.
