The US transportation department said late on Wednesday it approved a five-year exemption for Aurora and other self-driving trucking companies from rules that require drivers to place warning devices around a stopped truck.
The decision is a step forward in efforts to broadly deploy commercial self-driving trucks in the United States.
In 2023, Alphabet's self-driving unit Waymo and Aurora jointly sought a waiver of US rules requiring reflective triangles to be placed outside stopped trucks to help prevent crashes.
Aurora, which has around 20 self-driving trucks in on-road operations, said Wednesday the USDOT "decision underscores the government’s recognition of the immense economic and community benefits of autonomous trucking.
High-visibility, cab-mounted warning beacons are a critical, 21st-century solution that enhances roadside safety by immediately alerting other road users without ever needing to put a person in harm's way."