Self-Driving Truck Maker Waabi Hires Industry Veteran Lior Ron as COO
Waabi, a self-driving truck maker, has announced the appointment of Lior Ron, a veteran in the autonomous vehicle industry and former CEO of Uber Freight, as its new chief operating officer. The move comes as Waabi prepares to scale its commercial operations in anticipation of launching driverless trucks on public highways later this year.
Rebecca Tinucci, who previously played a key role in building Tesla’s charging network before the company restructured its charging staff, will take over as head of Uber Freight. Ron will continue to serve as Uber Freight’s chairman.
According to Raquel Urtasun, Waabi’s founder and CEO, Ron will be responsible for leading the go-to-market strategy, expanding partnerships, and driving the company towards commercialization at scale. Urtasun and Ron have a history of collaboration, having previously worked together at self-driving truck company Otto, which was acquired by Uber in 2016.
Uber Freight, a digital marketplace connecting shippers with carriers, aims to integrate self-driving trucks into its platform through partnerships with companies like Aurora Innovation and Waabi. Ron’s departure from Uber Freight will not impact the partnership with Waabi.
Ron, reflecting on his time at Uber Freight, mentioned that many chief supply chain officers and carriers are eagerly awaiting the introduction of self-driving trucks. He believes that autonomous technology will play a crucial role in the future of transportation.
Efficiency and Innovation at Waabi
Waabi is known for its “AI-first” approach to scaling autonomy, which has allowed the company to achieve more with fewer resources and in less time compared to competitors. This efficiency is crucial in an industry that requires significant capital investment and has seen several startups struggle to survive.
Since its founding in 2021, Waabi has raised $287.7 million in funding, with a significant portion coming from a $200 million Series B round in 2024. Urtasun stated that the company is well-positioned for its next phase of growth without the need for additional funding.
Waabi’s main competitor, Aurora, recently launched the first commercial driverless trucking route in the U.S. and has raised substantial funding through venture capital and public listing.
Advancements in Autonomous Technology
Waabi has been able to rapidly launch commercial pilots by utilizing Waabi World, a closed-loop simulator that simulates real-world driving conditions and trains the self-driving software. The company plans to launch its driverless trucks in Texas, a hub for autonomous freight operations in the U.S.
Ron expressed excitement about integrating Waabi’s technology into customer operations, particularly a feature that allows trucks to drive directly to customer depots without the need for additional infrastructure. This approach aims to provide a seamless and efficient solution for customers.
With a focus on innovation and efficiency, Waabi is poised to lead the way in advancing autonomous technology and revolutionizing the transportation industry.
