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Imagine roads filled with self-driving trucks powered by artificial intelligence. It seems like a science fiction scenario, but this is the reality that Waabi, a Canadian startup led by scientist Raquel Urtasun, is about to turn into reality.
With a robust investment of R$1 billion, the company plans to put autonomous trucks on the roads in less than a year. Major companies such as Uber, Volvo and Porsche are among the financiers of this ambitious project.
Revolution in Cargo Transport
By 2025, AI-powered autonomous trucks will be transporting commercial cargo in Texas, in the United States.
This is the schedule for Waabi, which received US$200 million in capital. Among the investors, giants such as Uber, Khosla Ventures, Nvidia, Volvo and Porsche stand out..
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The company, founded three years ago in Toronto, Canada, believes it can succeed where many others have failed, thanks to its artificial intelligence generative.
Raquel Urtasun, founder and CEO of Waabi, guarantees that her software can assess and respond to road conditions in a similar way to human reasoning.
“I built Waabi with a very different technology that will allow us to launch a driverless service quickly, safely and efficiently,” she explained in an interview with Forbes magazine.
Challenges and Overcoming in the Autonomous Vehicle Sector
The development of autonomous vehicles has progressed more slowly than many predicted a decade ago. Many robotic truck startups have failed, and billions of dollars have been invested in companies that ended up closing, such as the Ford-Volkswagen Argo AI joint venture, or being sold, such as Uber's ATG unit..
Even Waymo, considered the most successful company in autonomous driving technology to date, has suspended its robotic truck operations to focus exclusively on robo-taxis, which are starting to generate revenue. However, Waabi believes its simpler and less expensive technology can overcome these challenges.
Waabi Action Plan for 2025
Texas will be the first commercial market for trucks Waabi freelancers. In the aforementioned magazine article, the company did not reveal how many trucks will be part of the initial fleet, but manufacturers such as Volvo and Scania also participated in the latest round of financing, in addition to Porsche and Ingka Investments, linked to Ikea.
With the latest round of financing, Waabi raised more than US$280 million, a considerable amount, although less than that of some competitors. Urtasun believes his approach, focused on efficiency and cost, will make the technology viable in the long term.
Autonomous Vehicles in Brazil
But what about in Brazil, what is the situation with autonomous vehicles? Although the country is still taking its first steps in this technology, there are already promising initiatives. According to the Technological Research Institute (IPT), tests with autonomous buses are being carried out in São Paulo. These tests, conducted in partnership with technology companies and universities, aim to create a viable model of autonomous public transport in Brazil.
In addition to buses, the IPT is also developing projects for autonomous trucks. Brazilian companies, such as Embraer, are exploring autonomous vehicle technology in their innovation centers. According to Anfavea (National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), national truck manufacturers are already investing in research and development to adapt Brazilian roads to the reality of autonomous vehicles.
However, the challenge is not just technological. Regulation and infrastructure also need to evolve to accommodate these vehicles on Brazilian roads. The Chamber of Deputies is analyzing proposals to create a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, following examples from countries such as the United States and Germany.
In any case, it appears that, with the advancement of Waabi and other startups, the future of roads looks increasingly technological and autonomous. For experts, the promise of self-driving trucks brings numerous advantages, such as reducing accidents caused by human error and improving the efficiency of cargo transportation.
But what about you, reader? What do you think of the idea that, in the near future, we will have trucks driving alone through Texas and even along Brazilian roads? What impact does this have for you?
