Uber sold its self-driving unit, Advanced Technologies Group, to which company in 2020?

Uber sold its self-driving unit, Advanced Technologies Group, to Aurora Innovation. The transaction was announced on December 7, 2020, and the sale formally closed on January 19, 2021, which explains why references may describe it as either a 2020 deal or a 2021 completion.

Uber ATG worked on autonomous-vehicle technology intended to support future ride-hailing services. Aurora, founded by Chris Urmson, Drew Bagnell, and Sterling Anderson, acquired the unit’s people and technology to strengthen its own Aurora Driver platform for passenger vehicles and freight.

The transaction was more than a simple divestiture. Uber transferred its ATG business and also invested $400 million in Aurora, receiving a significant minority stake in the combined company. The partnership gave Uber a way to remain connected to autonomous driving without continuing to operate a large in-house research division.

Zoox, Cruise, and Waymo are all major names in autonomous-vehicle development, but none was the buyer in this transaction. Waymo is associated with Google’s self-driving program, Cruise with General Motors, and Zoox with Amazon.