The Volvo Group’s venture capital arm has invested in Canadian company Waabi Innovation Inc to develop the next generation of autonomous trucking technologies.
While Waabi Innovation Inc is not as well known as many other companies developing autonomous systems, it recently unveiled the Waabi Driver autonomous trucking solution that’s designed for large-scale commercialization and safe deployment. It is using next-generation artificial intelligence technology to solve autonomy at scale and has also developed Waabi World, a scalable high-quality simulator.
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The Canadian company claims that this simulator exposed the Waabi Driver system “to the vast diversity of scenarios” that it needs to hone its driving skills.
“The company Waabi is using advanced artificial intelligence technology to test, assess skills, and ultimately teach a virtual driver to maneuver safely and efficiently in a commercial-ready autonomous trucking solution,” the president of Volvo Group Venture Capital Martin Witt said. “We are impressed by what they have accomplished and see that Volvo Group can add considerable strategic value to the development of their business. We are currently exploring ways to cooperate.”
The Volvo Group believes that fully autonomous trucking services will help to improve capacity, provide better safety, and improve efficiency across the industry. It will also support drivers on tiresome routes.
“Autonomy will one day transform trucking and logistics, but the self-driving industry has not solved this challenge, yet,” founder and chief executive of Waabi, Raquel Urtasun said. “Our AI-first approach is the key to unlocking this reality at scale. Volvo Group’s investment in Waabi marks the next step in our journey, particularly around our shared commitment to safety.”
