Uber's new plan to deploy 25,000 robotaxis will come from an autonomous trucking company — led by an Uber alum

Core Insights - Uber has announced a partnership with Waabi, a Canadian self-driving trucking startup, to deploy 25,000 robotaxis, with a $250 million investment contingent on Waabi meeting certain milestones [1] - Waabi's leadership includes former Uber executives, highlighting a connection between the two companies [2] - Waabi is developing a generalizable AI system that can be applied across different vehicle platforms, which is crucial for scaling autonomous vehicle technology [5] Group 1: Partnership and Investment - Uber's partnership with Waabi includes a significant investment of $250 million, although specific milestones for the investment have not been disclosed [1] - The collaboration aims to leverage Waabi's expertise in autonomous trucking to support Uber's robotaxi initiative [1] Group 2: Leadership and Expertise - Raquel Urtasun, Waabi's founder, previously served as the chief scientist at Uber's self-driving division, indicating a strong background in autonomous vehicle technology [2] - Lior Ron, Waabi's COO, is also an Uber alum who previously led Uber Freight, showcasing a blend of experience in both ride-hailing and trucking sectors [2] Group 3: Technology and Development - Waabi is focused on creating a sophisticated AI "brain" that can adapt to various vehicle types without needing extensive redevelopment [5] - The company has developed a mixed reality testing simulator that allows for extensive scenario training, which is essential for preparing AI drivers for real-world challenges [6][7] - This simulation technology enables testing of numerous traffic scenarios that would be difficult or dangerous to replicate in real life, enhancing the safety and reliability of autonomous systems [6][7]