Toronto-based Waabi—a company that’s “pioneering generative AI for self-driving”—has signed a multi-year lease on a new flagship autonomous trucking terminal in Lancaster in southern Dallas County. The terminal will serve as the center for Waabi’s Texas operations.
“Texas is a critical location for us as it is the home to our first commercial operations and several important shipping corridors,” Waabi Founder and CEO Raquel Urtasun said in a statement. “By establishing our presence here, we’re committed to creating more opportunities for autonomous trucking in the region. We see this facility as a key player in not only Waabi’s future, but the future of autonomous trucking, as we use it to scale our operations to continue pushing the boundaries of this industry.”
Waabi is an AI company backed by “best-in-class investors” across the technology, logistics, and the Canadian innovation ecosystem, including Volvo Group Venture Capital, Khosla Ventures, Uber, 8VC, Radical Ventures, OMERS Ventures, and BDC.
The company said its new Lancaster facility was “purpose-built” for autonomous trucking and will support Waabi’s current development operations and continued commercial growth in the southern United States.
Waabi said it established its initial commercial presence in Texas last year, hauling autonomous loads between Dallas and Houston through an industry-first partnership with Uber Freight.
The Canadian company joins other autonomous trucking companies like Kodiak Robotics, Aurora Innovation, Waymo, and Gatik in making North Texas a key hub for reimagining how truckloads can be moved on our highways and roadways.
Purpose-built for autonomous trucking
Waabi said its Lancaster terminal will allow it to establish, practice, and refine the required infrastructure, operating processes, and customer services needed for commercial driverless operations. It will also enable greater commercial and development activity with a growing set of commercial partners, the company said.
The eight-acre-plus terminal includes several acres for trailer parking, a nearly 25,000-square-foot office and maintenance shop, high-speed data offload, a fueling station, truck weighing scales, and a dedicated pre-trip and post-trip inspection area.
Waabi said those commercial-ready capabilities will enable it to rapidly house, maintain, prepare, inspect, and deploy autonomous trucks over the next several years.
“The Texas Trucking Association couldn’t be more excited to witness Waabi’s growth right here in Texas,” John D. Esparza, president and CEO of the association, said in a statement. “With the addition of this new AV terminal, we will continue to show ourselves as a state committed to innovation in autonomous trucking and safety. This new investment is a testament not only to the opportunities here, but a commitment to the highest safety standards.”
Waabi said it expects to expand its team in the Dallas region in the coming years to support operations for current and future trucking routes, as well as research and development efforts.
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