Waabi, a promising self-driving truck startup, has announced a strategic partnership with Volvo Autonomous Solutions to jointly develop and deploy autonomous trucks. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Waabi, founded by Raquel Urtasun in 2021. After her tenure as chief scientist at Uber ATG, Urtasun ventured into the autonomous vehicle industry with an innovative vision. The startup plans to initiate commercial pilots using Volvo-built trucks in Texas within the next few months. By the end of 2025, Waabi aims to showcase a product-ready driverless demonstration on public roads, with a fully driverless commercial launch soon to follow.
Waabi’s collaboration with Volvo will leverage the automaker’s production-ready facility in Virginia to build trucks equipped with Waabi’s cutting-edge technology. The first batch of these trucks is expected to roll off the assembly line in 2025. Within two to three years, Waabi anticipates reaching volume scale, thanks to its “AI-first approach.” This method not only accelerates its path to market but also ensures capital efficiency compared to its competitors, Aurora and Kodiak, which have raised $3.46 billion and $243 million, respectively.
Founder’s Vision and Future Aspirations
Raquel Urtasun, the driving force behind Waabi’s innovative approach, believes that the startup’s reliance on simulation technology sets it apart from competitors. This technology is crucial for testing and training Waabi’s self-driving systems and designing trucks for OEM integration. Despite raising $282 million to date, Waabi operates with a “tiny fraction” of the capital needs of its competitors. Urtasun’s background in computer science and AI, coupled with her investment in Ethereum, underpins her confidence in Waabi’s unique approach.
“Absolutely not. Trucking is only the beginning. We’re going to do so much more than trucking – robotaxis, warehouse robotics. I have tremendously big plans for the company, and we are going to remain a fully independent company.” – Raquel Urtasun
Waabi’s strategic move into autonomous trucking is complemented by its partnership with Volvo, marking the automaker’s second such collaboration in the field. The joint venture symbolizes a shared commitment to revolutionize transportation logistics through advanced AI technology. As Urtasun emphasizes, 2025 is pivotal for Waabi’s trucking ambitions.
“2025 is the year of trucking; it’s a make it or break it situation,” – Raquel Urtasun
The upcoming commercial pilots in Texas are just the beginning of Waabi’s strategic roadmap. The company envisions direct delivery between customer depots from day one post-launch. This initiative underscores the startup’s ambition to redefine efficiency and safety in the logistics sector.
In addition to trucking, Waabi has broader aspirations spanning various automated domains. Urtasun envisions a future where Waabi expands into robotaxis and warehouse robotics, maintaining its independence and innovation-driven culture.
“We now have everything we need to scale our product,” – Raquel Urtasun
Waabi’s journey is closely watched by industry stakeholders, keen on witnessing the impact of its AI-driven solutions on autonomous logistics. This partnership with Volvo reinforces Waabi’s commitment to scaling its technology and bringing transformative changes to the transportation industry.
What The Author Thinks
Waabi’s strategic partnership with Volvo represents a significant advancement in the field of autonomous trucking. With a solid plan and a visionary leader at its helm, the startup is well-positioned to make substantial inroads in the industry. Their focus on AI-driven technology and efficient capital use sets them apart from competitors and positions them as a key player to watch in the coming years.
