The Future of Self-Driving Cars: Insights from Top Executives
The excitement around artificial intelligence has sparked a renewed interest in self-driving technology. Three CEOs at the forefront of this innovation—Don Burnette from Kodiak, Dave Ferguson from Nuro, and Raquel Urtasun from Waabi—share their insights.
Current Deployments
- Kodiak, led by Burnette, is already using eight driverless trucks in the Permian Basin. These trucks transport sand for hydraulic fracking.
- Waabi, founded by Urtasun, plans to launch fully autonomous trucks by the end of the year in partnership with Volvo.
- Ferguson's Nuro is set to compete with Waymo by deploying robotaxis with Uber in 2026.
Challenging Common Beliefs
During conversations with these CEOs, it became clear that they challenge common beliefs about self-driving technology. They argue that the technology itself is no longer the main issue. Instead, they focus on making the business profitable and scaling up operations.
Overcoming Challenges
- Ferguson mentioned that while the technology is advanced, there are still challenges to overcome. For example, driving in snowy conditions remains a hurdle. However, he is confident that these issues will be resolved.
- Urtasun pointed out that the number of miles driven by autonomous vehicles does not necessarily indicate readiness. She explained that this metric only shows how long a company has been working on the technology. The safety of autonomous trucks is still being evaluated, and the current data is not enough to make a strong case.
- Ferguson also highlighted the significant gap between supervised self-driving and fully autonomous driving. He emphasized that achieving full autonomy requires a monumental leap in technology and safety.
The Lidar vs. Cameras Debate
The debate between using lidar and cameras for autonomous vehicles was another topic discussed. While Tesla advocates for a cameras-only approach, the other CEOs believe that lidar is essential for safety and cost-effectiveness. They see the debate as a distraction from the real issues, such as making the technology economically viable and building customer demand.