Self-driving truck startup Waabi has tapped autonomous vehicle veteran and Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron as its new chief operating officer, as it gears up to launch driverless trucks on public highways by the end of 2025.
Ron, who will remain chairman of Uber Freight, is tasked with leading Waabi’s go-to-market strategy, expanding partnerships, and scaling commercial operations. “He has shown his ability to scale from inception to a $5 billion revenue company with Uber Freight,” said Waabi founder and CEO Raquel Urtasun.
Ron’s appointment reunites him with Urtasun, who previously led Uber’s self-driving research. The two also share history from Ron’s co-founding of Otto, a self-driving truck company acquired by Uber in 2016.
Waabi’s “AI-first” approach enables faster and more resource-efficient scaling than rivals, according to Urtasun. The company conducts most of its testing in Waabi World, a closed-loop simulator that trains and validates software in real time. It has also blended virtual and real-world driving conditions to simulate complex scenarios without real-world risks.
Backed by $287.7 million in funding, including a $200 million Series B in 2024, Waabi says it’s on track for a Texas launch later this year in partnership with Volvo Autonomous Solutions. The trucks will be capable of driving directly to customer depots, avoiding the need for intermediary terminals.
Ron says the timing is right: “If the most impactful thing to do in the next decade is autonomy, then joining Waabi is the way to lead that transformation.”
