Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron Joins Waabi as COO to Drive Autonomous Trucking Growth
Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron Joins Waabi as COO to Drive Autonomous Trucking Growth
Lior Ron, a recognized figure in the autonomous vehicle industry and former CEO of Uber Freight, is taking on a new challenge as Chief Operating Officer at self-driving truck startup Waabi. This move comes as Waabi prepares to scale up its commercial operations and launch driverless trucks on public highways later this year.
Leadership Changes and Strategic Growth
Ron’s transition marks a significant step for Waabi, which aims to accelerate its go-to-market strategy and strengthen key partnerships. Waabi’s founder and CEO, Raquel Urtasun, emphasized Ron’s proven ability to scale businesses: "He has shown his ability to scale from inception to a $5 billion revenue company with Uber Freight," she said.
During his tenure at Uber Freight, Ron played a pivotal role in connecting shippers with carriers through a digital marketplace. He will now focus on bringing Waabi from its current development phase to large-scale commercialization, leveraging his experience and network in the logistics industry.
What’s Next for Uber Freight?
With Ron’s departure, Rebecca Tinucci—formerly responsible for building Tesla’s charging network—will step in to lead Uber Freight. Ron will remain involved as chairman, ensuring continuity during this leadership transition.
Waabi’s AI-First Approach to Autonomous Trucking
Founded in 2021, Waabi distinguishes itself with an AI-first approach to scaling autonomy. The company relies heavily on its advanced simulator, Waabi World, which enables rapid training, testing, and validation of its self-driving software in virtual environments. This allows for safer and faster progress compared to traditional road testing.
Recently, Waabi began using its simulator on test tracks, overlaying virtual environments onto real-world driving to safely simulate complex scenarios such as accidents and construction zones. As Urtasun notes, "At the beginning of the year, we reached feature complete... we are on track for our driverless launch by the end of the year."
Commercialization and Industry Impact
- Waabi plans to launch its first driverless commercial trucks in Texas, the hub of autonomous freight in the U.S.
- Its main competitor, Aurora, recently launched the country’s first commercial driverless trucking route and has raised $3.46 billion to date.
- Waabi has raised $287.7 million since its inception, with a significant $200 million Series B in 2024.
- The company is partnering with Volvo Autonomous Solutions to develop and deploy custom-built autonomous vehicles.
Waabi’s efficient, AI-driven development strategy is particularly noteworthy in an industry where several well-funded startups have struggled to reach commercialization. By focusing on robust simulation and strategic partnerships, Waabi aims to deliver a commercial-ready autonomous trucking solution that integrates directly into customer operations—eliminating the need for costly terminal infrastructure.
What This Means for the Future of Logistics
Lior Ron’s move underscores the growing momentum behind autonomous trucking as a transformative force in the logistics sector. As Ron put it, "If the most impactful thing to do in the next decade is autonomy, and if the timing is right, then for me it’s really about joining forces with who I think is most positioned to lead the transformation."
With Waabi’s upcoming driverless truck launch and continued partnership with Uber Freight, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for autonomous logistics innovation.
