Aurora Innovation, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation and ConsolidationThe Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization and operations prior to the Closing presented are those of Legacy Aurora (see “Note 3 - Reverse Recapitalization”).
Consolidation	All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of property and equipment; valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets, valuation of intangible assets, fair value of options granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, present value of the lease liability, total estimated hours used in determining the recognition of revenue, the valuation of the warrant liabilities, and the valuation of the Earnout Shares liability.
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company has one reportable segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) manages the operations of the Company on a consolidated basis when allocating resources and all significant operating decisions are based on analysis of the Company as a single business.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity, when purchased, of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. The recorded carrying value of cash equivalents approximates their fair value.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal due to the signing of the Company’s operating lease agreements. The Company has presented restricted cash separately from cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet.
Short-term Investments	Short-term Investments The company typically invests in U.S. Treasury securities and classifies its short-term investments as available-for-sale. In general, these investments are free of trading restrictions. The Company carries these at fair value, based on quoted market prices or other readily available market information. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s balance sheets. Gains and losses are recognized when realized in the Company’s statements of operations. When the Company has determined that an other-than-temporary decline in fair value has occurred, the amount of the decline that is related to a credit loss is recognized in income. Gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. The Company may sell its short-term investments at any time, without significant penalty, for use in current operations or for other purposes, even if they have not yet reached maturity. As a result, the Company has classified its investments as current assets in the accompanying balance sheets. Securities with original or remaining maturities of 90 days or less on the purchase date are considered to be cash equivalents and are reflected in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheets.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company accounts for the collaboration framework agreement and project plan with a major customer using the input measure of hours expended as a percentage of total estimated hours to complete the project commencing with initial recognition in August 2021 when a collaboration project plan was signed. The Company generated development revenue from nonrecurring development service agreements and determines revenue recognition in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The excess of revenue recognized over cash collected is recognized as a contract asset.
Cost of Development Services Revenue	Cost of Development Services Revenue Cost of development service revenue is comprised primarily of the costs associated to deliver custom hardware design and development services for operating a customer’s vehicle platform with the Aurora Driver. These costs consist primarily of payroll, payroll related expense, stock-based compensation and allocated overhead that are incurred as the Company performs the underlying services related to satisfying the performance obligations under the development service agreements.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets of three to five years except for leasehold improvements depreciated over the lesser of the asset’s useful life (seven years) or the remaining lease term and buildings are depreciated over twenty years.
Leases	Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. All leases are assessed for classification as an operating lease or a finance lease. Operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of future payments is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate because the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate, calculated based on available information at the lease commencement date, is a hypothetical rate for collateralized borrowings in economic environments where the leased asset is located based on credit rating factors. The Company’s right of use (ROU) assets are also recorded at the applicable lease commencement date. The ROU assets equals the amount of the related lease liability, adjusted for prepaid lease payments made prior to the lease commencement date, lease incentives and initial direct costs. Certain lease contracts include obligations to pay for other services, such as operations and maintenance. The Company elected the practical expedient whereby the Company records all lease components and the related minimum non-lease components as a single lease component. Cash payments made for variable lease costs, such as maintenance and tenant improvements, are not included in the measurement of the Company’s operating lease assets and liabilities as of the lease commencement date. The Company does not include variable payments in the calculation of the ROU asset at the commencement of the lease, however if the variable payments are based on a contingent event, and that contingent event is ultimately resolved, the ROU asset is re-measured and all such variable payments are then included. Many of the Company’s lease terms include one or more options to renew. The Company does not assume renewals in the determination of the lease term unless it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease costs for minimum lease payments for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees. The Company has elected to not recognize a lease liability or right-of-use (ROU) asset for short-term leases, which are defined as leases with a term of twelve months or less that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations The Company allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimated replacement cost, profit margin, opportunity cost, useful lives, and discount rates. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. During the measurement period, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.
Goodwill	GoodwillGoodwill represents the excess purchase consideration of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired and is not amortized. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually on December 31, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill.
Acquired Intangible Assets	Acquired Intangible AssetsAcquired Intangible Assets consist of in-process research and development (IPR&D) from the Company’s acquisitions of Apparate USA LLC (“Uber Advanced Technologies Group” or “ATG”), Blackmore Sensors and Analytics, and OURS Technology (“OURS”). Each IPR&D has an indefinite useful life and is tested for impairment annually until completion.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived AssetsLong-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined using various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Research and Development Costs	Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of payroll, hardware and electrical engineering prototyping, cloud computing, data labeling, and third-party development services and are included in research and development in the accompanying statement of operations.
Advertising Costs	Advertising CostsAdvertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general, and administrative in the accompanying statement of operations.
Software Development Costs	Software Development Costs The Company follows the provisions of ASC 985-20, Software - Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed (“ASC 985-20”). Costs have not yet met the criteria for capitalization as technological feasibility has not been established as defined by ASC 985-20.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset-and-liability method. ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and using enacted rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process in which: (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of technical merits of the position, and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the tax benefit as the largest amount that is cumulatively more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation The Company recognizes share-based compensation cost using the fair value method of accounting. The fair value of the Company’s stock options are measured based on the grant-date fair value which is calculated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and the fair value of restricted stock units are measured as the fair value of Aurora common stock. The fair value of the stock-based compensation for awards with only service conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Expense for awards with service and performance conditions is recognized on a graded-vesting basis over the requisite service period. The Company recognizes the effect of forfeitures in the period they occur.
Public and Private Placement Warrants and Earnout Shares	Public and Private Placement Warrants The Company accounts for the public and private placement stock purchase warrants (collectively “the warrants”) as derivative liabilities under ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging. The liabilities are measured at fair value on Closing and in subsequent periods with any changes in fair value reflected in the statement of operations until the warrants are exercised, redeemed, or expire. Earnout Shares The Company accounts for shares held by Reinvent Sponsor Y LLC (the “Sponsor”) not forfeited under the terms of the Merger Agreement and subject to price based vesting terms (the “Earnout Shares”) as a derivative liability under ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging. The Earnout Shares are accounted for as a liability as the shares are not indexed to our common stock. The liability is measured at fair value on Closing and in subsequent periods with any changes in fair value reflected in the statement of operations until the vesting conditions are met or the shares expire.
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.
Significant Risks and Uncertainties Including Business and Credit Concentrations	Significant Risks and Uncertainties Including Business and Credit Concentrations The Company’s principal operations are the research, design, and implementation of the Aurora Driver. The Company is currently researching and developing its proprietary technology with the goal of commercializing the Aurora Driver. The Company expects that it will need to raise additional capital to support its development and commercialization activities. Significant risks and uncertainties to the Company’s operations include failing to secure additional funding and the threat of other companies developing and bringing to market similar technology at an earlier time than the Company. However, given the amount of available cash and cash equivalents, management believes available capital resources are sufficient to meet working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least twelve months following the issuance date of these financial statements. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents at U.S. commercial banks. Cash and cash equivalents deposited with domestic commercial banks generally exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurable limit. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents. In 2021, the Company reported $82,538 in collaboration revenue from an agreement with an automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The commercial relationship with this OEM was governed by a collaboration framework agreement and a project plan agreement that specify the work that was to occur and payments that were to be made. The revenue arrangement is nonrecurring, and, as of December 31, 2021, the Company does not have any long-term contracts with customers that are expected to provide recurring revenue streams. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. As of the date of these financial statements, the Company has not experienced a negative impact to its financial position, results of operations, and operating cash flows. The Company cannot accurately predict the length or severity of this pandemic and the impact it might have on the world and domestic economies. However, the Company believes that for the foreseeable future, based on its current capital resources and its operations and cash flows, it will not be materially nor negatively affected.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards – Not Yet Adopted and Adopted in Fiscal 2021	Recently Issued Accounting Standards – Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP. The new impairment model requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. The standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance. In December 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies accounting for income taxes by revising or clarifying existing guidance in ASC 740, Income Taxes, as well as removing certain exceptions within ASC 740. The standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance. Recently Issued Accounting Standards – Adopted in Fiscal 2021 In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The new standard requires capitalized costs to be amortized on a straight-line basis generally over the term of the arrangement, and the financial statement presentation for these capitalized costs would be the same as that of the fees related to the hosting arrangements. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The Company uses a three-level hierarchy, which prioritizes, within the measurement of fair value, the use of market-based information over entity-specific information for fair value measurement based on the nature of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Fair value focuses on an exit price and is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with those financial instruments. The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements is defined as follows: Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology included quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3:Inputs to the valuation methodology, which are significant to the fair value measurement, are unobservable. An asset or liability’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.