Toronto-based self-driving technology company Waabi has inaugurated a new autonomous trucking terminal in Texas, marking a significant step towards its goal of implementing driverless operations in the state. The terminal, strategically located in Lancaster, a city in the southern suburbs of Dallas, spans an expansive eight acres and has been custom-built to cater specifically to autonomous trucks.
The facility boasts several key features designed to support autonomous trucking operations, including a spacious area dedicated to trailer parking, a 24,700 square-foot office and maintenance shop, high-speed data offload capabilities, a fuel station, weighing scales, as well as pre-trip and post-trip inspection zones.
Waabi, which boasts Swedish automaker Volvo among its investors, initiated its first autonomous commercial operation in Texas last year through a partnership with Uber Freight, focusing on transporting loads between Dallas and Houston. The company views the establishment of this state-of-the-art facility as a critical move to attract new partners, enhance its operational processes, and improve customer service, all crucial steps in its journey towards achieving commercial driverless operations.
Raquel Urtasun, the founder and CEO of Waabi, emphasized the significance of Texas in the company’s strategic roadmap, citing the state’s status as the site of its first commercial operations and its position along key shipping corridors. Urtasun stated, “By establishing our presence here, we are committed to creating more opportunities for autonomous trucking in the region.”
Urtasun added, “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.”
Texas has emerged as a hub for autonomous trucking, largely due to its lenient regulatory environment, which stands in stark contrast to California’s more stringent regulations. While California has faced a notable campaign against driverless heavy goods vehicle testing, Texas has seen the establishment of several companies with significant autonomous trucking operations, often involving safety drivers.
Aurora Innovation, based in Pittsburgh, has positioned itself along the popular Dallas-Houston route, with two terminals similar to Waabi’s, as it prepares for driverless operations later this year. Similarly, Silicon Valley’s Kodiak Robotics aims to commence driverless testing on the same route in 2024, according to CEO Don Burnette.
John D. Esparza, representing the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), expressed excitement about Waabi’s expansion in Texas, stating, “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.”
