Inside Waabi’s Game-Changing Push to Launch Fully Autonomous Trucks on Texas Roads in 2025
Toronto’s Waabi, led by A.I. trailblazer Raquel Urtasun, races to launch its first self-driving trucks in Texas—powered by next-gen generative A.I.
- $280M+ in funding secured by Waabi since 2021
- 99.7% success rate in real-world driving simulations
- First fully driverless trucks launching in Texas late 2025
- Recent partnerships: Volvo & Uber Freight pilot programs
Toronto’s Waabi is rewriting the rules of self-driving technology—and it’s gunning for the loneliest roads in America. At Web Summit Vancouver 2025, CEO and founder Raquel Urtasun laid out her vision: Forget everything you know about autonomous trucking. With deep-pocketed backers and a revolutionary generative A.I. platform, Waabi is about to unleash a new wave of driverless big rigs across Texas, tackling one of industry’s biggest pain points.
While Silicon Valley giants poured billions into endless road tests and rigid code, Waabi took a stand. The company bet on A.I. models that think like humans, learn at lightning speed, and handle the wildest curveballs trucking can throw at them.
Now, after raising over $280 million from heavyweights like Khosla Ventures, Nvidia, and Uber, Waabi is riding high—and its self-driving trucks are set to hit the open road by year’s end.
Q: Why Did Waabi Choose Long-Haul Trucking? Is It Really That Broken?
Absolutely. Urtasun sees long-haul trucking as ripe for disruption. The industry is spiraling with relentless driver shortages, marathon routes, and harsh safety challenges—especially for women. These grueling jobs force people to spend weeks away from home, often without basic comforts.
Waabi’s tech isn’t just a cool gadget—it’s a life-changer for the 3.5 million truck drivers in North America. The company promises a safer, smarter world for both cargo and human lives.
How Did Generative A.I. Give Waabi an Edge Over Competitors?
Unlike rivals stuck in old-school thinking, Waabi developed an A.I.-driven “brain” for its trucks. Using generative A.I., Waabi’s system learns faster, adapts better, and imagines millions of new, risky highway scenarios—no endless road-testing required.
According to Urtasun, this digital “driving school” helps polish the self-driving system into something that’s nearly indistinguishable from a real driver. Waabi claims its simulation platform achieves a staggering 99.7% match with real-world conditions.
To boost trust, Waabi has challenged the autonomous vehicle industry to get more honest about their simulations—and pushed for greater openness with the public and regulators. For bigger picture trends on A.I.’s transformative role, check out the latest at Nvidia and Uber.
Q: Will Waabi’s A.I. Replace Every Truck Driver in Texas and Beyond?
Not anytime soon. Urtasun makes one thing clear: if you’re a career truck driver, your job’s not vanishing overnight. Adoption will be slow, deliberate, and focused first on the longest, toughest routes. In fact, Waabi expects new jobs to emerge in areas like terminal support and remote driving operations.
As A.I. scales, more companies are exploring how automation can address critical labor shortages across industries. For economic context, read the latest analysis at CNN.
How Is Waabi Navigating U.S. Trade Policies and Global Expansion?
Waabi keeps its R&D in Toronto—a calculated move tapping into Canada’s A.I. powerhouse talent and research infrastructure, led by universities like U of T. But all trucks and hardware are built south of the border, helping Waabi dodge most new U.S. tariffs on foreign-made cars.
With fresh partnerships—including a major collaboration with Volvo—Waabi plans to expand across Canada, Europe, and Asia by 2026.
What Does the Future Hold for Waabi and A.I.-Driven Robotics?
For Urtasun, driverless trucks are only the start. As robotics and A.I. leap forward, she envisions Waabi tech supporting everything from senior care to urban mobility. In her view, humanity is just a decade away from seeing “robots everywhere”—and Waabi aims to be at the forefront.
Your Next Move: Will You Trust a Robot Truck?
Get ready to spot Waabi’s futuristic trucks on Texas highways before 2026. The era of safer, smarter, more humane trucking is just around the bend. Stay informed, stay safe, and keep your eyes on the road ahead.
Here’s how to follow the driverless trucking revolution:
- Track Waabi’s U.S. launch announcements and Volvo partnerships
- Stay updated on generative A.I. breakthroughs at Nvidia and Uber
- Read the latest insights from industry experts at CNN
- Advocate for transparency and public input on A.I. adoption in your community
