Uber is literally in the driver’s seat when it comes to AV bets

The article discusses Uber's significant investment in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, highlighted by its recent $1 billion funding commitment to self-driving truck startup Waabi. This deal includes $750 million upfront and an additional $250 million contingent on deployment milestones, signaling Uber's strategic expansion beyond trucks into the robotaxi market. Waabi, founded by former Uber AI chief Raquel Urtasun, aims to deploy over 25,000 robotaxis, leveraging a "simulation-first" approach that may differentiate it from other AV companies. Uber currently partners with more than 20 AV companies worldwide, reflecting a broad "bet-on-everything" strategy in the autonomous vehicle space. The article raises the question of whether this diversified approach will pay off, given the challenges of AV deployment. The discussion, featured on the Equity podcast, explores Uber’s AV partnership strategy, Waabi’s unique technology, and broader industry trends. The piece also briefly introduces Theresa Loconsolo, a TechCrunch audio producer who contributes to