Waabi, Volvo Partnership Expands Autonomous Trucking

Toronto-based Waabi Innovation Inc. is collaborating with Volvo to integrate its AI-driven self-driving systems into Volvo's VNL Autonomous trucks, aiming for commercial production in the U.S. and eventually Canada. This partnership signifies a major step towards deploying autonomous trucks on American highways, focusing on busy freight corridors in Texas. Waabi, backed by investors like Nvidia and Uber, uses an AI-centric approach that requires less data and resources compared to traditional methods. While Waabi's technology is currently being tested with safety drivers, the goal is to have fully autonomous trucks operating by the end of the year. Volvo will produce a limited number of these trucks at its New River Valley plant in Virginia. Waabi's collaboration with Volvo is non-exclusive, allowing potential partnerships with other manufacturers in the future.