Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Autonomous-Vehicle Developer Charged with Theft of Trade Secrets

The U.S. Department of Justice announced 33 charges of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets against ex-Google engineer and Pronto AI founder Anthony Levandowski.

August 27, 2019
Autonomous-Vehicle Developer Charged with Theft of Trade Secrets

Pronto AI founder and CEO Anthony Levandowski has been charged with theft of trade secrets dating from his time working on Google's autonomous tech startup, Waymo. 

Photo: Pronto AI

3 min to read


Autonomous-truck-technology pioneer Anthony Levandowski’s legal troubles just increased dramatically. On Aug. 27, the Department of Justice announced it was charging him with 33 counts of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets dating back to Levandowski’s time at Google, when he was an engineer working on that company’s Waymo autonomous vehicle project.

DOJ alleges that Levandowski stole confidential trade and technical secrets from Google and took them with him when his start-up autonomous truck company Otto, was acquired by Uber late 2016.

Ad Loading...

Levandowski’s legal woes first began in 2017, when a lawsuit was filed against the company by Google, alleging that he had obtained autonomous technology trade secrets before resigning to found Otto and then used that data in research and development efforts at his new company.

According to various news outlets, including CNBC, the indictment alleges that Levandowski downloaded thousands of files from Waymo’s predecessor, Project Chauffeur, before leaving Google to found Otto. The files allegedly included “critical engineering information about the hardware used on Project Chauffeur self-driving vehicles,” and that Levandowski transferred files onto his personal laptop.

Levandowski surrendered himself at the San Jose federal courthouse on Aug. 27, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson said. Both Uber and Google cooperated with government officials, he said, while acknowledging that the investigation is ongoing.

Ad Loading...

Waymo claimed in its 2017 lawsuit against Levandowski that drawings of 3-D lidar sensors designed for Uber’s self-driving car project revealed a “striking resemblance” to Waymo’s own designs. According to CNBC, the suit also alleged that Levandowski took “extraordinary efforts to raid Waymo’s design server and then conceal his activities,” after downloading over 14,000 confidential and proprietary files before resigning.

Related: Is Autononomous Tech Taking a Time Out?

In 2018, Uber settled the lawsuit, agreeing to pay Waymo a 0.34% equity stake amounting to about $245 million based on Uber’s valuation at the time.

Following the DOJ’s announcement, Levandowski’s lawyers, Miles Ehrlich and Ismail Ramsey, issued a statement referencing the Waymo settlement and said the new charges, “rehashes claims already discredited in a civil case that settled more than a year and a half ago. The downloads at issue occurred while Anthony was still working at Google — when he and his team were authorized to use the information. None of these supposedly secret files ever went to Uber or any other company.”

Levandowski’s new autonomous truck start-up, Pronto AI, promptly announced a new chief executive as news of the indictments spread, with Chief Safety Officer Robbie Miller taking as CEO.

Ad Loading...

“The criminal charges filed against Anthony relate exclusively to Lidar and do not in any way involve Pronto’s ground-breaking technology,” Pronto said in a statement. “Of course, we are fully supportive of Anthony and his family during this period.”

In another statement, Waymo said, “We have always believed competition should be fueled by innovation, and we appreciate the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI on this case.”

Uber, in turn, issued a statement noting its previous cooperation with the DOJ during the investigation and said it would continue to do so as the case unfolded.

Related: Anthony Levandowski Shares His Vision of an Autonomous Future

More Equipment

photo of a military truck with "Great American Trucks" wording on top of red-white-and-blue background.
Equipmentby Jack RobertsJune 16, 2026

Great American Trucks: The International MaxxPro MRAP

Built from an International WorkStar chassis and powered by a MaxxForce diesel, the MaxxPro MRAP became one of the most important military trucks of the Iraq War era.

Read More →
2026 Mack Granite interior.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

New Mack Granite Cab Puts Driver Comfort Front and Center

Mack’s next-generation vocational truck features a roomier cab, premium seating, advanced steering technology, and a driver-focused interior designed with direct input from professional operators.

Read More →
Mack Trucks Pioneer Nascar Salutes truck.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 11, 2026

Mack Unveils Fan-Selected Patriotic NASCAR Pioneer Wraps

Racing fans picked the patriotic design now featured on three Mack Pioneer trucks hauling NASCAR equipment across the country during the 2026 season.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Michelin X Line Grip D tires.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 9, 2026

Michelin Expands X Line Grip D Tire Line

Michelin is expanding its X Line Grip D drive tire lineup with a new pre-mold retread and additional sizes, building on what the company says is strong fleet adoption of the tire's traction, mileage, and fuel-efficiency benefits.

Read More →
Illustration of SCR/DEF system on heavy-duty truck
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 4, 2026

Engine Technology Forum Launches SCR, DEF Resource Center Amid Emissions Debate

The Engine Technology Forum’s new online hub aims to provide fleets, policymakers, and equipment owners with fact-based information about selective catalytic reduction technology, diesel exhaust fluid and emissions compliance.

Read More →
Artist rendering of dealership with trucks and trailers parked outside
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJune 2, 2026

Prime Inc. to Open $7.9M Flagship Used-Truck Dealership

A new driver-focused facility to sell Prime Inc's used trucks and trailers will be the first purpose-built location in the company's history.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Red Kenworth truck pulling Paper Transport trailer
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeJune 2, 2026

Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible

Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.

Read More →
Kenworth T680.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 27, 2026

Kenworth Names Peter Ahrens General Manager

Leadership changes at Kenworth take effect July 1 as the OEM promotes two longtime Paccar executives to key management roles.

Read More →
White Hino Le electric tractor on show floor
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 26, 2026

Hino Adds Electric Class 6/7 Truck

Hino says the Le Series is an important step in the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact and support its customers’ sustainability goals.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Big standing "ACTExpo" sign in convention center lobby
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMay 26, 2026

ACT Expo 2026: Highlights in Photos

The 2026 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo featured a broad range of commercial vehicle technologies, from EVs to autonomous trucks to the latest diesel and alternative-fuel engines.

Read More →