Waabi, a company operating in generative AI for autonomous driving, has secured a multi-year lease on a new flagship terminal for autonomous trucking in the Dallas suburb of Lancaster, marking the central hub for the company’s Texas operations. This purpose-built facility is tailored specifically for autonomous trucking and will bolster the company’s ongoing development efforts and expanding commercial footprint in the southern United States.
Having launched its initial commercial operations in Texas last year, with autonomous freight transportation between Dallas and Houston in collaboration with Uber Freight, Waabi is now poised to consolidate its presence. The Lancaster terminal will serve as a strategic platform for establishing, refining, and perfecting the necessary infrastructure, operational protocols, and customer services essential for commercial autonomous operations. Furthermore, it facilitates enhanced commercial engagement and developmental activities with an expanding network of commercial partners.
“Texas is a critical location for us as it is the home to our first commercial operations and several important shipping corridors. By establishing our presence here, we are committed to creating more opportunities for autonomous trucking in the region,” said Raquel Urtasun, Founder and CEO of Waabi. “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.”
The purpose-built terminal spans over 8 acres, specifically designed for autonomous vehicle (AV) trucking. It features extensive trailer parking spanning several acres, a 24,700 square-foot office and maintenance shop, high-speed data offloading capabilities, a fuelling station, truck weighing scales, and a dedicated area for pre-trip and post-trip inspections. These commercial-ready amenities position Waabi ready to efficiently accommodate, maintain, prepare, inspect, and deploy autonomous trucks in the forthcoming years.
“The Texas Trucking Association couldn’t be more excited to witness Waabi’s growth right here in Texas. 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,” commented John D. Esparza, President and CEO of The Texas Trucking Association (TXTA). “This new investment is a testament not only to the opportunities here, but a commitment to the highest safety standards.”
The development of this new facility is expected to prompt the expansion of Waabi’s team in the Dallas region over the next few years. This growth aims to support ongoing operations for existing and future trucking routes, as well as research and development endeavours.
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