Autonocast #359: Waabi w/Founder + CEO Raquel Urtasun
Mar 30, 2026
Raquel Urtasun, founder and CEO of Waabi and leader of a $1B Series C, explains Waabi's capital-efficient approach to building verifiable Level 4 autonomy. She discusses combining truck and robotaxi programs on a shared AI platform. Topics include vehicle form factors, OEM partnerships, timing for commercial rollouts, and how Waabi’s verifiable, sensor-flexible architecture differs from black-box systems.
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Why Waabi Took A Billion Dollars
- Waabi raised $1B to secure long-term stability and pursue both trucking commercialization and a new robotaxi program.
- Raquel Urtasun says the company values capital efficiency and will keep a disciplined, tech-first approach rather than expanding headcount or infrastructure.
Raise To Buy Time Not Vanity Metrics
- Do prioritize building long-term foundations over short-term showy metrics when raising strategic capital.
- Waabi explicitly raised to avoid yearly fundraising pressure and to play a multiyear OEM-centric commercialization game.
One AI Platform For Trucks And Robotaxis
- Waabi claims a single physical AI platform can power both trucks and robotaxis, removing the need for two separate stacks.
- Raquel explains that a shared verifiable model and simulation accelerates capabilities across both products.