Autonocast #330: Raquel Urtasun of Waabi
Mar 14, 2025
Raquel Urtasun, Founder of Waabi and former head of research at Uber's Advanced Technology Group, discusses her innovative approach to self-driving trucks. She shares insights on Level 4 autonomy and the challenges of developing a single AI system. The conversation touches on breakthroughs in AI, the importance of realistic simulations for safety, and the essential collaboration needed in the industry. Raquel also addresses gender challenges in tech and shares her bold predictions for the future of autonomous trucking by 2025.
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Waabi's Anniversary
- Raquel Urtasun, founder of Waabi, celebrates the company's fourth anniversary.
- This coincides with International Women's Day, adding to the significance.
Waabi's Distinct Approach
- Raquel Urtasun discusses Waabi's distinct approach to Level 4 trucking, diverging from the traditional "AV 1.0" methods.
- She emphasizes a more capital-efficient and faster path to market.
AI-First Approach for L4
- Waabi's AI-first approach for L4 trucking prioritizes generalization and powerful systems.
- This contrasts with some AV 2.0 companies focusing on generalizing capabilities without L4 deployment.