March 25 (Reuters) - Aurora Innovation ( AUR ) plans to

allow its self-driving trucks to operate without a driver in

inclement weather ahead of launching commercial trips this year

in Texas, the company said on Tuesday.

The autonomous trucks are expected to start operating on

public roads in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in 2025, adhering

to speed limits ranging from 25 miles per hour to 75 miles per

hour.

Aurora said in January that it plans to launch the service

in Texas in April.

The company said on Tuesday it intends to expand operational

design domain (ODD) for its autonomous vehicles to include harsh

weather. ODD specifies the conditions and areas where

self-driving vehicles can operate, taking into account

geography, weather and other factors.

The trucks will function in suburban and urban areas, dense

traffic, day and night, and in highway construction zones with

cones and barriers, it said.

Aurora said it will enhance testing for the trucks,

including simulations in virtual environments, assessments on

closed tracks, and performance monitoring on roads before

commercial launch.

Earlier this year, the Uber ( UBER )-backed company signed a

long-term deal with Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Germany's Continental

to deploy driverless trucks.