** Self-driving technology maker Aurora Innovation's shares AUR.O rise 6.2% premarket to $7.69
** Co launches its commercial self-driving trucking service in Texas
** "Following the closure of its safety case, Aurora began regular driverless customer deliveries between Dallas and Houston this week" co says
** AUR plans to expand its driverless service to El Paso, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona by the end of 2025
** Co is expected to report first-quarter results on May 8
** Earlier this year, the Uber-backed UBER.N company signed a long-term deal with Nvidia NVDA.O and Germany's Continental CONG.DE to deploy driverless trucks
** As of Wednesday's close, stock had risen 14.9% YTD
(Reporting by Ragini Mathur in Bengaluru)
((Ragini.Mathur@thomsonreuters.com;))