Hey followers! Today we’re diving into some exciting tech news — a big move in autonomous trucking!

Waabi, an innovative self-driving truck startup, has brought on industry veteran Lior Ron as its new chief operating officer. Lior, previously CEO of Uber Freight, will focus on scaling Waabi’s autonomous trucking operations before their upcoming launch on U.S. highways.

Rebecca Tinucci, with extensive Tesla charging network experience, will now lead Uber Freight, while Ron remains its chairman. Waabi’s CEO, Raquel Urtasun, expressed confidence that Ron’s expertise in scaling Uber Freight to billions in revenue will accelerate Waabi’s growth, especially with their advanced AI-first approach to autonomous trucks.

Urtasun highlighted Waabi’s advanced simulator, Waabi World, which allows virtual testing and training of self-driving software, minimizing real-world risks and boosting efficiency. Since founding in 2021, Waabi raised over $287 million, with significant backing from a $200 million Series B round in 2024.

Waabi plans to initiate driverless freight operations in Texas, leveraging collaborations with Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and hopes to deploy trucks that can directly reach customer depots, avoiding expensive terminal infrastructure.

Ron’s joining signifies a strategic move for Waabi to lead the industry with its innovative, resource-efficient approach in a capital-intensive market that has seen several startups fail. He’s excited about integrating Waabi’s technology into commercial operations and is optimistic about the company’s near-term launch and market potential.