Chris Urmson

Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO

Chris is widely recognized as one of the earliest pioneers in self-driving technology. With two decades of experience leading automated vehicle programs, Chris previously directed Carnegie Mellon's technology efforts in the DARPA Grand and Urban Challenges and later helped found and lead Google's self-driving car initiative, now known as Waymo. In 2017, Chris co-founded Aurora with the goal of delivering the benefits of autonomous technology safely, quickly, and broadly. He holds a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University and is the author of over 60 patents and more than 50 academic publications.

Chris is widely recognized as one of the earliest pioneers in self-driving technology. With two decades of experience leading automated vehicle programs, Chris previously directed Carnegie Mellon's technology efforts in the DARPA Grand and Urban Challenges and later helped found and lead Google's self-driving car initiative, now known as Waymo. In 2017, Chris co-founded Aurora with the goal of delivering the benefits of autonomous technology safely, quickly, and broadly. He holds a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University and is the author of over 60 patents and more than 50 academic publications.