Uber Freight CEO Lior Ron leaves to join self-driving startup Waabi as COO

Waabi, a pioneering self-driving truck manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Lior Ron, the former CEO of Uber Freight, as its new chief operating officer. This strategic move comes as the company prepares to expand its commercial operations, aiming for the launch of driverless trucks on public highways later this year. In a significant leadership transition, Rebecca Tinucci will succeed Ron as head of Uber Freight. Tinucci previously played a crucial role in developing Tesla's charging network before recent changes at the company impacted staffing. Ron, who will continue as chairman of Uber Freight, is expected to spearhead Waabi’s go-to-market strategy, focusing on scaling operations and building essential partnerships. Raquel Urtasun, Waabi’s founder and CEO, highlighted Ron's impressive track record, stating, "He has demonstrated his capability to grow a startup into a multi-billion dollar enterprise with Uber Freight." Ron and Urtasun share a history, having previously crossed paths at Uber, where Urtasun served as chief scientist overseeing self-driving research from 2017 to 2021. Uber Freight is designed as a digital marketplace connecting shippers with carriers, and the integration of self-driving technology is a key objective through collaborations with firms like Aurora Innovation and Waabi, a partnership that remains intact despite Ron's transition. Reflecting on his time at Uber Freight, Ron noted the eagerness of chief supply chain officers and major carriers for the arrival of autonomous trucks, emphasizing the importance of joining forces with a forward-thinking company like Waabi. Urtasun praised Waabi's AI-centric approach, which has allowed the startup to achieve significant advancements in less time and with fewer resources than its competitors, a critical advantage in a capital-intensive industry where many startups have faced challenges. Since its inception in 2021, Waabi has successfully raised approximately $287.7 million, including a substantial $200 million Series B funding round in 2024. Urtasun expressed confidence in the startup's financial stability, asserting that additional funding is not necessary for the next phase of growth. As Waabi gears up to launch in Texas, the hub for autonomous freight in the U.S., Urtasun has indicated that the company is on track for a driverless launch by year-end. The startup is collaborating with Volvo Autonomous Solutions to create custom-built autonomous vehicles tailored for its operations. Ron emphasized the importance of developing solutions that can directly serve customer needs, including features that enable trucks to navigate directly to depots, eliminating the necessity for terminal constructions. "We are committed to delivering a commercially viable solution that truly addresses customer requirements," Ron stated, underlining Waabi’s ambition to lead the autonomy sector as it prepares for its next steps.