This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the start of Tesla’s driver-out operations in Austin, the tenuous relationship between Waymo and Uber, and the UK’s pmomentum on autonomous vehicle regulation, while the EU remains at a standstill.
Now that Tesla is testing is testing driver-out operations, they are one step closer to launching commercial robotaxi operations in Austin, bringing Elon Musk’s long-held vision closer to reality. What does Tesla’s impending robotaxi launch mean for Uber, Waymo and the broader robotaxi market?
Could this launch impact the relationship between Uber and Waymo? Are they true partners, competitors, or something in between? With a growing supply of vehicles in Austin and new international opportunities emerging, including in the UK, we examine the market signals that could define the next phase of their relationship and how that will impact the autonomy markets.
Episode Chapters
0:00 Waymo Suspends Service in LA
3:18 Tesla Goes Driver-Out in Austin
5:54 Boring Company
9:27 Tesla’s Focus on Safety
10:34 Uber & Waymo’s Tenuous Relationship
18:06 Uber / Wayve Partnership
20:53 Does the Uber / Wayve Partnership Put Pressure on Waymo?
22:11 Economics of the Waymo / Uber Partnership
24:00 Dedicated Waymo Uber Tier
25:32 Do Autonomous Vehicles Expand the Rideshare Market?
31:12 NHTSA Part 555 / Regulatory Update
37:19 Next Week
Recorded on Saturday, June 14, 2025
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