This post is also available in:
Malayalam
Over the past four and a half years, Waabi has focused on developing its autonomous driving technology for trucks operating on highways and city streets. However, founder Raquel Urtasun says the company’s core system, the Waabi Brain, is already capable of adapting to different vehicle types. She has even suggested that robotics could be Waabi’s next major area of expansion.
From the outset, Waabi collected and simulated passenger car data alongside its trucking efforts, signalling that robotaxis were always part of the company’s long-term vision.
Faster and More Efficient Than Rivals
According to Urtasun, this approach has enabled Waabi to develop its technology more quickly and at a lower cost compared to competitors.
“We don’t need massive human teams, huge fleets, or the kind of infrastructure required by first-generation autonomous vehicle systems,” she said. “We also don’t need enormous data centres, excessive energy use, or countless cutting-edge chips.”
Funding Milestones and Competitive Landscape
With its latest deal, Waabi’s total funding has reached approximately $1.28 billion, following a $200 million Series B round completed in June 2024. In comparison, rival autonomous trucking firms Aurora Innovation and Kodiak Robotics have raised about $3.46 billion and $448 million, respectively, through venture capital and public markets.
Commercial Pilots and Deployment Timeline
In just five years, Waabi has launched multiple commercial pilot programs in Texas, all operating with a safety driver seated in the vehicle. While the company had initially planned to deploy fully driverless trucks on public highways by the end of last year, Urtasun said the timeline has shifted, with rollout now expected in the coming quarters.
Partnership With Volvo for Autonomous Trucks
Waabi is collaborating with Volvo to develop purpose-built autonomous trucks, a partnership the company unveiled at TechCrunch Disrupt last October. Urtasun said Waabi’s autonomous driving system is technically ready, but the vehicles must still complete full validation before launch.
Confidence in Market Demand and Uber Partnership
Despite the delay, Urtasun remains optimistic, citing strong demand for Waabi’s trucks. The company’s direct-to-consumer model allows shippers to purchase autonomous-ready trucks directly, which she believes will accelerate adoption.
She also expressed confidence that Waabi’s partnership with Uber will help the company quickly enter the market and scale with a highly reliable product.
“We’re still at the very early stages of robotaxi deployment,” Urtasun said. “There’s much more growth ahead.”
Factory-Integrated Autonomous Systems
While Urtasun declined to share specific details about the Uber rollout, including the automaker involved, she noted that Waabi plans to follow the same strategy used in its trucking program. This involves integrating sensors and autonomous technology directly into vehicles during manufacturing.
“We believe in vertical integration with a fully redundant platform built by the OEM,” she said. “That’s the foundation for creating safe and truly scalable autonomous systems.”
Strong Backing From Major Investors
Waabi’s Series C round includes investment from Uber, Nvidia’s venture arm NVentures, Volvo Group Venture Capital, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, BlackRock, BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, and several other strategic backers.
This post is also available in:
Malayalam
