Autonomous vehicle startup Waabi has secured a significant $1 billion in funding, comprising a $750 million Series C round co-led by Khosla Ventures and G2 Venture Partners, along with an additional $250 million commitment from Uber. This partnership aims to deploy 25,000 Waabi Driver-powered robotaxis exclusively on the Uber platform.
Waabi’s collaboration with Uber signifies the company’s expansion beyond autonomous trucking and into the ride-hailing market. The partnership aligns with Uber’s strategic vision to deploy self-driving vehicles on a global scale, as the ride-hailing giant ventures into this space. By leveraging Waabi’s advanced technology, Uber aims to enhance its autonomous vehicle offerings and establish a robust foundation for future autonomous initiatives.
Waabi’s CEO, Raquel Urtasun, emphasized the efficiency of the company’s approach and its adaptable AI architecture, enabling the simultaneous tackling of multiple markets. This endeavor not only expands Waabi’s reach but also underscores the growing trend of collaboration between AV startups and established tech players to revolutionize the future of transportation.
Source: TechCrunch