The Road to Autonomy

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Uber's new Autonomous Vehicle Solutions initiative, Waymo's growing markets, and the growth of Physical AI powered by NVIDIA.As Uber's stock languishes in the low seventies due to investor overhang about the future of autonomy, the company announced Uber Autonomous Solutions, a new initiative to support the growth of autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform.Grayson and Walt break down the initiative point by point, examining Uber's strategy of providing training data, enriched mapping, venue management, and autonomous vehicle insurance. While Grayson views much of the in-car experience pitch as buzzword Alley, Walt argues that AV mission control and fleet management are the true meat of Uber's strategy, aiming to provide the critical API for a fragmented market. This sparks a spirited debate on whether Uber is maintaining its asset-light identity or quietly creeping into asset-heavy operations by owning and operating robotaxi assets.The conversation then shifts to the geopolitical risks of Uber's international partnerships, as the company recently hosted analysts in Abu Dhabi to meet with Chinese autonomous partners WeRide and Baidu. Grayson warns of the tremendous blowback and political risk this carries back home, especially given the current US administration's active stance on social media regarding foreign technology.Walt and Grayson also discuss a recent broker report, shared by Uber CFO Balaji Krishnamurthy on X, that analyzed just 34 trips in Austin and claimed there is no cost advantage to autonomy. They call the sample size too small and the conclusions baffling given the obvious long-term benefits of removing human drivers.Contrasting Uber's narrative tour, Waymo is aggressively scaling and growing revenue. This week, Waymo announced they have crossed 1 million fully autonomous freeway miles, expanded into Chicago and Charlotte, and opened up Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando to early riders.Notably, Uber was absent from these new market announcements, leading Grayson to point out the potentially waning relationship between the two companies. Furthermore, he put on his inspector hat to uncover signs of Waymo's grand ambitions in the EU, citing meetings with the European Commission and job postings for EU regulatory counsel.As Waymo scales, the capital markets are flowing for autonomy investments, highlighted by Wayve securing a $1.2 billion check at an $8.6 billion valuation. The round includes investments from SoftBank, NVIDIA, Stellantis, and Nissan, with Uber committing to own and operate the Wayve fleet in 10 upcoming markets, starting with London.Then there is the growth of physical AI, which NVIDIA announced contributed $6 billion in earnings last quarter, with CFO Colette Kress signaling that robotaxis and humanoids are poised to be major growth markets over the next decade.Episode Chapters00:00 Uber's Identity Crisis 1:33 Breaking Down Uber Autonomous Solutions20:43 Uber's Abu Dhabi Analyst Day & Chinese Tech Risks 35:37 Waymo Announces Chicago & Charlotte as New Markets 40:55 Uber and Waymo's Waning Relationship 42:03 Waymo Surpasses 1 Million Fully Autonomous Freeway Miles43:56 Waymo Eyes the EU Expansion 46:32 Wayve's $1.2B Funding Round50:39 NVIDIA, Physical AI, & Humanoids 53:04 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, February 27, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the definitive media brand covering the Autonomy Economy™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jay Iyengar, EVP, Chief Technology and Strategic Sourcing Officer, Oshkosh joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss Oshkosh's approach to autonomy and the development of physical AI across their diverse industrial technology portfolio.The operational backbone of Oshkosh's strategy is a hybrid approach targeted towards moments of autonomy where autonomy adds the most immediate value. By addressing repetitive, hazardous tasks and mitigating driver fatigue, Oshkosh is building purpose-built solutions to increase safety and productivity for the everyday heroes who build, serve, and protect communities.In the field, Oshkosh is rigorously applying Physical AI across a diverse array of use cases, from automating airport jet bridges that align precisely with aircraft doors to developing automated cargo loaders for complex tarmac operations.Oshkosh's Physical AI ecosystem also includes the HARR-E robot for on-demand refuse collection in planned communities, as well as advancing autonomous capabilities for military leader-follower programs and next-generation delivery vehicles.Looking ahead, Jay envisions a future where Physical AI has its own transformative ChatGPT moment, becoming a ubiquitous and intuitive part of the industrial landscape. This evolution aims to fundamentally transform markets, ensuring that autonomous technology operates so seamlessly that operators can focus entirely on their work, ultimately saving lives, increasing productivity, and unlocking new economic activity.Episode Chapters00:00 Moments of Autonomy Philosophy 04:45 The Jet Bridge Bottleneck 07:20 Deploying Physical AI at the Gate 10:45 Navigating Tarmac Chaos and Regulations 14:15 Blueprint for the Airport of the Future 16:05 The Data Moat & Oshkosh's AI Stack 19:30 Weighing Trash with AI Side-Loaders 21:30 Meet HARR-E: The On-Demand Trash Robot 26:30 Revolutionizing the Postal Delivery Fleet 28:15 Why You Shouldn't Over-Engineer Sensors 30:30 The Hidden Power of Strategic Sourcing 32:20 Level 5 Military Learnings 35:10 Waiting for Physical AI's ChatGPT Moment36:30 The Next 100 Years of Oshkosh --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the definitive media brand covering the Autonomy Economy™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next. Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk unpack a wave of developments reshaping the autonomous vehicle landscape. Data surfacing from a follow-up to a recent Senate hearing reveals that Waymo currently operates 3,000 autonomous vehicles supported by only 70 remote assistance agents worldwide.Grayson calls the ratio definitive proof of Waymo's technology lead, while Walt raises a pointed concern that roughly half of those remote roles are outsourced to the Philippines, creating a political vulnerability that could draw scrutiny as the industry scales.From there, the conversation turns to infrastructure. Uber is reportedly investing $100 million to build autonomous vehicle fast-charging stations across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The move sparks a spirited debate about Uber. Is the company that built its brand on being asset-light now quietly pivoting to an asset-heavy model to stay competitive in the autonomy era?On the regulatory front, Governor Kathy Hochul shelved a proposal that would have permitted robotaxis outside New York City, reportedly bowing to special interest pressure, a setback Grayson and Walt call deeply disappointing.Meanwhile, Iowa lawmakers are advancing bills requiring a human driver behind the wheel, creating a strange-bedfellows alliance between pro-autonomy hybrid network advocates and traditional opponents of autonomous driving technology.Shifting to hardware, Tesla's Cybercab secured an FCC order authorizing ultra-wideband radio technology for wireless charging. Grayson cautions, however, that FCC approval is only one piece of the puzzle, as Tesla still needs NHTSA exemptions to operate vehicles without steering wheels or pedals before any real-world scaling can begin.Closing out the episode, Aurora opened a new autonomous trucking lane stretching over 1,000 miles from Texas to Arizona, pushing the boundaries of long-haul autonomy. And in a notable signal from the OEM side, Paccar highlighted its partnership with Kodiak in its latest earnings release, underscoring how seriously legacy manufacturers are now starting to take the autonomous freight opportunity.Episode Chapters00:00 Waymo: 70 Remote Agents for 3,000 Cars04:00 The "Unforced Error" of Outsourcing Remote Assistance to the Philippines08:00 SFO Rideshare Volume and Waymo's Impact on Traditional TNCs15:00 New York Governor Hochul Pulls Robotaxi Proposal20:00 Iowa Lawmakers Push a Driver-In Bill23:00 Will the Real Uber Please Stand Up? The $100M Charging Pivot29:00 "Take or Pay" Contracts: Is Uber Blocking Competitors?32:00 Tesla Cybercab Gets FCC Wireless Charging Approval36:00 Tesla NHTSA Exemption38:00 Aurora Opens 1,000-Mile Autonomous Trucking LaneRecorded on Thursday, February 19, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the definitive media brand covering the Autonomy Economy™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grayson Brulte went on location to Miami to inspect Waymo's infrastructure buildout across the city, uncovering two depots that reveal the company's ambitious plans to scale to thousands of vehicles in South Florida.The first depot, located adjacent to Miami International Airport, has not yet broken ground but sits on a large parcel with significant room for expansion. A service road connects the site directly to the airport, without the need to use the highway, positioning Waymo for a seamless airport-to-destination corridor that could be operational within 12 to 18 months.The second depot, already operational in the Wynwood area near the Design District, is running what we estimate to be 20-plus vehicles with roughly 30-plus chargers situated next to a Florida Power & Light substation. The facility currently operates out of PODS with no covered garage, but vacant parcels on both sides and an adjacent warehouse present a clear path to scale. While we were there on the ground, FPL was on-site micro trenching, a potential signal that additional electrical capacity is being routed to the depot.Looking ahead, Waymo's ability to service a thousand vehicles between these two depots appears well within reach. The next frontier is the beaches, Surfside, North Beach, South Beach, where a third depot will likely be necessary to navigate Miami's notoriously heavy traffic. With Hard Rock Stadium hosting Dolphins games, F1, and the Super Bowl returning to Miami, the demand signal for robotaxis in this market is unmistakable.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo's "Rat Pack" Ambitions in Miami1:00 The Airport Depot: Bypassing the Highway2:00 The Wynwood Depot: 35 Chargers & A Substation3:00 Miami Depots Compared to the Santa Monica Depot4:00 From PODS to Warehouses: The Expansion Plan5:00 The FPL Signal: Micro-Trenching 6:00 Expanding Depots to Surfside & South Beach7:00 The Super Bowl & Hard Rock Stadium Demand8:00 The Future Is Bright. The Future Is Autonomous. Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VB2kFhkSDkE--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stuart Young, Program Manager, Tactical Technology Office, DARPA joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss DARPA's RACER (Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency) Program and the development of high-speed autonomous vehicles capable of navigating unstructured off-road terrain without maps or GPS.The operational backbone of this program is a departure from the breadcrumb approach of the Grand Challenge, challenging robots to navigate complex, unstructured environments at speeds faster than manned formations. By removing the dependency on pre-existing maps and GPS, DARPA is forcing the autonomous systems to generalize across environments.In the field, RACER has rigorously tested platforms ranging from modified Polaris RZRs to Textron M5 tracked vehicles across diverse landscapes, including the Mojave Desert, Camp Roberts, and Fort Hood. This ecosystem has not only spurred the creation of companies such as Overland AI and Field AI but also demonstrated tactical relevance, as seen when the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment utilized RACER technology as an opposition force at the National Training Center.Looking ahead, Stuart envisions a future where autonomy shifts from simple movement to strategic maneuver, enabling a single operator to command platoons of vehicles. This evolution aims to fundamentally change the risk calculus for soldiers while opening new opportunities for dual-use applications in mining, agriculture and search and rescue.Episode Chapters0:00 The History of Autonomy at DARPA: From the Grand Challenge to Today6:54 How RACER Differs from The Grand Challenge11:59 Operating Without Maps or GPS14:00 Managing Heat, Acoustic, and Visual Signatures in Autonomy19:43 Testing in the Mojave, Central California, and Texas25:11 Building the RACER Brain and Spawning New Companies (Overland AI, Field AI)27:12 The Rules of RACER: Speed Metrics and “No Maps” Constraints33:36 The Hardware: Modifying Polaris RZRs and Textron M5 Tanks37:37 Requirements vs. Possibilities40:01 Field Testing with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at the National Training Center44:43 Deploying RACER in the Field46:12 The Legacy of RACER: Dual-Use Applications and Saving Lives--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss whether Waymo has finally solved the supply constraint question following reports of a deal for 50,000 Hyundai vehicles by 2028. They break down the economics, theorizing a $50,000 per-vehicle cost that likely includes line-fit sensors, a price point that Grayson argues destroys the bear case that autonomous vehicles cannot cost-effectively scale.The conversation then shifts to hardware as Walt puts on his inspector hat, spotting a hidden Class 8 truck graphic in Waymo's latest blog post. This revelation sparks a debate on if Waymo is planning a return to trucking in 2027 to coincide with the new Daimler Truck's new Freightliner Cascadia redundant chassis platform. They also analyze Waymo's 6th Generation Driver, noting the emphasis on custom silicon and aggressive camera cleaning systems seems to mimic Tesla's approach.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, they discuss Lyft's plan to launch Baidu RT6 robotaxis in London and Uber's deployment of Chinese robotaxis in Dubai. While Uber touts its partners, Grayson provides ground truth on the Chinese market, arguing that strict geofences and residency restrictions mean the technology is not as far ahead as Western media portrays.Looking at the broader ecosystem, Grayson and Walt analyze Aurora's pivot to upfitting International trucks, a strategy shift that mirrors competitor Kodiak, along with Kodiak's new defense partnership with the United States Marine Corps.Closing out the show, they discuss the current regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles and NHTSA's Automated Vehicle Safety Public Meeting upcoming in March and Waymo calling for D.C. residents to advocate for autonomous vehicles.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo's Reported 50,000 Robotaxi Hyundai Deal03:26 The $50,000 Robotaxi Economics06:20 Zeekr & Waymo/Magna Mesa Upfitting Plant10:11 Scaling to 750,000 Autonomous Vehicles17:09 Waymo Gen 6: Custom Silicon & Improved Cameras23:21 Uber's Narrative vs. Waymo's Reality28:09 Lyft's Flexdrive Advantage31:52 Inspector Walt: Waymo's Autonomous Truck Tease33:41 Aurora's Pivot & Kodiak's Marine Corps Deal41:39 Foreign Autonomy Desk: Lyft in London & Uber in Dubai45:09 The Regulatory Tide Turns48:38 Hyundai: The Arms Dealer of AutonomyRecorded on Friday, February 13, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the definitive media brand covering the Autonomy Economy™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeremy Bird, Executive Vice President, Global Growth at Lyft joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the company's strategic partnership with Waymo in Nashville and the deployment of a hybrid network that integrates human drivers with autonomous vehicles. The operational backbone of this strategy is FlexDrive. A best-in-class operation that manages depots, charging, and maintenance for robotaxis. FlexDrive gives Lyft the operational rigor needed to scale robotaxis globally. In Nashville, FlexDrive is supporting the Waymo partnership, while in Europe, Lyft is utilizing FlexDrive to power expansion, including a key partnership with Baidu in the UK and Europe.Looking ahead, Jeremy envisions a marketplace defined by customer obsession where luxury experiences and robotaxis coexist, utilizing operational excellence to fuel future growth.Episode Chapters0:00 Lyft's Partnership with Waymo in Nashville4:44 Robotaxi Fleets & Depots8:50 Freenow11:15 Deploying Robotaxis in the UK and Europe14:41 Autonomous Vehicle Policy in Europe17:35 Expanding Robotaxi Deployments in Europe19:05 Baidu Partnership23:09 Global Robotaxi Partnerships & Lyft's Marketplace 26:04 Luxury Market27:53 Future of LyftRecorded on Wednesday, January 28, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's repricing of the robotaxi market with a $16 billion raise at a $126 billion valuation, Uber's defensive Myths and Realities earnings supplement, and the launch of a new segment, The Pit Stop.The conversation heats up as Walt and Grayson debate Uber's claim that autonomous vehicle growth is not a zero-sum game, with Grayson arguing that personal ownership and dedicated autonomous vehicle networks will eat into Uber's market share while, Walt defends the narrative of total market expansion.While Uber attempts to debunk autonomous vehicle myths, Grayson puts on his inspector hat for the inaugural Pit Stop segment, revealing exclusive details about Waymo's Miami depot infrastructure, including a depot under construction near the airport and the strategic placement of fleet operations near the Design District.Looking at the broader regulatory landscape, Grayson and Walt analyze recent Senate testimony where Waymo disclosed their use of remote assistance based in the Philippines, a move Walt classifies as an unforced error during a push for a National Autonomous Vehicle Framework.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, they highlight the Middle East becoming a beachhead for scale with Baidu going driver-out in Dubai and WeRide partnering with Uber, noting the region is likely the only place where US and Chinese robotaxis will coexist for the time being.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo Raises $16 Billion at a $126bn Valuation2:35 Waymo World Powered by DeepMind6:43 Uber's Myths and Realities29:03 The Pit Stop: The Inspector Goes to Miami39:02 The Pit Stop: Tesla's San Francisco Robotaxi Depot Gets Blocked41:38 AVs Need Clear Rules of the Road U.S. Senate Hearing48:01 Bedrock Robotics Raises $270 million50:28 Foreign Autonomy Desk55:04 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, February 6, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk are joined by their first-ever guest, David Moss, to discuss his 12,961-mile zero-intervention drive across the country on Tesla FSD, the reality of the Unsupervised Robotaxi rollout in Austin, and the commercial viability of LiDAR sensors in consumer vehicles.The conversation heats up as Walt questions David, a LiDAR LiDAR Salesman on whether the massive data processing requirements of LiDAR could introduce latency, potentially citing a recent Waymo incident involving a child as a case study. David argues that while LiDAR offers theoretical range advantages, the compute wall and cost constraints make it a one-trick pony compared to the scalability of a vision-only stack.While the group debates sensor suites, David shares his on-the-ground experience in Austin, revealing it took 58 attempts to finally secure a ride in a Unsupervised Tesla Robotaxi, and confirmed the fleet is being retrofitted with new cleaning jets for the camera sensors to handle weather occlusion.Looking at the broader robotaxi market, the trio analyzes their Zoox experiences at CES, with David noting the vehicle's braking was significantly harsher than Waymo or Tesla FSD, while Walt highlights the motion sickness challenges inherent in the vehicle's carriage-style seating configuration.In Prediction Corner, the group debates the timeline for Tesla removing the safety driver on highways, with David offering a bullish forecast for Memorial Day, while Walt and Grayson take a more conservative stance, predicting a rollout closer to late 2026.Episode Chapters0:00 Coast to Coast Fully Autonomous in a Tesla Model 310:49 The Next Record12:16 FSD Unsupervised in Austin16:16 Waymo Experience on Uber in Austin17:17 Robotaxi Safety Attendants19:44 Unsupervised Robotaxi Service Area21:43 Sensor Cleaning26:05 Robotaxi, No Highways in Austin, Yet32:11 Zoox Las Vegas Experiences37:13 LiDAR48:07 Why AutonomyRecorded on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dean Foreman, Chief Economist at the Texas Oil and Gas Association joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of global oil markets and the critical intersection of natural gas and artificial intelligence.With sanctions lifted on Venezuela, the conversation analyzes the flow of heavy crude to the US Gulf Coast, noting the potential need for over $200 billion in investment to restore Venezuela's production capacity. Dean explains how US refiners are capitalizing on this heavy feedstock while simultaneously navigating a global market where the US has surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia as a leading energy producer.Looking toward the future of energy demand, the discussion identifies natural gas as a stabilizing force for the power grid, essential for supporting the exponential growth of data centers and generative AI. By co-locating power generation with data infrastructure in West Texas, the industry is leveraging record efficiencies to fuel The Road to Autonomy and ensure long-term economic resilience.Episode Chapters0:00 Venezuela7:25 Increasing Global Demand for Oil9:08 Petroleum Byproducts11:39 Oil and Natural Gas Exports13:40 Permian Basin16:11 Infrastructure Buildout22:11 Oil and Natural Gas Impact on Texas' Economy25:01 Automation & AI27:52 U.S. Consumer34:00 Next QuarterRecorded on Tuesday, January 20, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's LiDAR controversy following an incident in a Santa Monica school zone, the potential of a mega merger between Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, and Waabi's $750 million capital raise to pivot into robotaxis.The conversation heats up as Walt and Grayson debate the efficacy of LiDAR versus camera-only approaches, questioning if sensor fusion latency contributed to the Waymo incident where a child ran out from behind a vehicle.While Waymo handles the incident in Santa Monica, Tesla is further accelerating their shift to an autonomy/robotics company by shutting down Model S and Model X lines for Optimus Gen 3 humanoids.Looking at the broader market, Grayson and Walt analyze Waabi's strategic expansion from trucking into robotaxis, with Walt drawing parallels to early industry pivots and Grayson questioning the viability of managing two distinct autonomy programs.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, they highlight Waymo's recent launch party in London, noting the imported vehicles still feature American driving configurations, and discuss Pony.ai's partnership to deploy 3,000 robotaxis in mainland China.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo Opens SFO Airport Access5:45 Waymo's Santa Monica Incident16:27 Tesla Earnings and New Robotaxi Markets22:04 David Moss' Austin Robotaxi Adventures24:12 Robotaxi's Enhanced Camera Cleaning System26:38 Inspector Uncovers, Walt Warns27:43 The Potential Great Elon Merger30:35 Waabi Raises $750m, Pivots to Robotaxis39:27 Does Uber Reboot ATG?42:55 Plus AI Analyst Day50:01 Foreign Autonomy Desk53:18 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, January 30, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Liu, CEO of PlusAI joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discus taking the company public and their strategic roadmap for commercializing autonomous trucking.As Plus AI prepares to complete their merger with Churchill Capital Corp IX in early February, the conversation explores the shift from fleet trials to an asset-light software model that empowers Traton to build factory-integrated autonomous trucks powered by the Plus virtual driver. By training a single AI driver on a vast, globally diverse dataset, encompassing conditions from snowy Sweden to the Texas Triangle, Plus AI is developing a scalable technology stack designed to safely automate the global freight industry, as the company targets a 2027 commercial launch. Episode Chapters0:00 Going Public1:33 Fleet Trials6:01 Driver-Out Decision7:56 Traton Partnership11:27 Redundant Chassis14:01 Public Milestones16:43 Asset Ownership18:14 Expanding in Spain and Japan23:00 Real-world Driving Data26:16 Simulation27:43 Alpha Data29:02 Traton R&D Investment33:01 What to Watch For as PlusAI Goes PublicRecorded on Friday, January 23, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Tesla officially removing safety attendants from Robotaxis in Austin, Waymo's commercial launch in Miami, and Serve Robotics' strategic acquisition of Diligent Robotics.It finally happened. Tesla has removed safety attendants from a select group of vehicles in Austin. While this initial fleet is limited and operating in a specific geofence and utilizing chase cars, Grayson and Walt view this as a critical validation of the technology. Looking ahead, Grayson predicts the operational domain will expand significantly in Austin over the next 60 days, with the Phoenix metro region slated as the next target market for deployment. As Tesla went safety attendant-out, Waymoopened the Miami market for limited commercial service within a 60-square-mile area, with one major caveat, no Miami Beach. On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Grayson and Walt discuss Geely's plan to deploy 100,000 methanol-powered robotaxis in China and the South Korean government's selection of Gwangju as the nation's first dedicated autonomous vehicle testing zone.Episode Chapters0:00 Tesla Removes Safety Attendant in Austin 9:19 Operational Efficiency 10:33 Alex Roy Goes Coast-to-Coast with Zero FSD Interventions 14:15 Drive on FSD, Get a Discount 18:25 FSD is Expanding as Prices are Increasing 23:31 New Robotaxi Markets 24:53 Waymo Launches Miami Markets28:33 Vandalizing Waymo's32:20 Serve Robotics Acquires Diligent Robotics36:41 Foreign Autonomy Desk 39:21 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, January 23, 2026 --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sergey Litvinenko, Co-Founder & CEO of Koop, joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the financial and operational structures required to insure fleets of personally owned autonomous vehicles.As Tesla prepares to scale the Cybercab in 2026, the conversation explores the shift from personal ownership to personally owned fleets, where individuals form companies to own and operate commercial robotaxi businesses.During the episode, Sergey explains how the insurance P&L for a fleet owner is transformed by real-world behavior data, which serves as a more accurate risk predictor than traditional human-centric metrics. By leveraging high-fidelity data and specialized subrogation models, Koop is developing a framework that manages liability between the fleet owner and the vehicle manufacturer, clearing the path for the Autonomy Economy to scale through third-party ownership.Episode Chapters0:00 The Emergence of the Tesla Network 3:07 Insuring Cybercab and Personally-Owned Teslas8:59 Insuring and Deploying Personally-Owned Autonomous Vehicle Fleets22:50 Insurance Underwriting Capacity 25:22 Insurance Products 27:50 Changing Driving Habits31:14 Reinsurance32:30 Liability with No Pedals and Steering Wheel 38:38 Fleet Management 41:55 Future of Insuring Autonomous Vehicle Fleet OperationsRecorded on Friday, January 16, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss New York Governor Hochul's bill to legalize autonomous vehicles in New York, with New York City notably carved out, Uber's changing Waymopartnership language and Waymo's upcoming expansion to Sydney. In New York, autonomous vehicles could be coming to state roads, but not New York City, as Mayor Mamdani is prioritizing taxi drivers over robotaxi deployment. Down in Texas, where autonomous vehicles can operate anywhere, Waymo has expanded their service area in Austin as Uber has changed their promotional language from “exclusively available on Uber” to simply “available on Uber” when promoting Waymo rides.On the international front, Waymo is actively planning to expand to Sydney following meetings with Australian Transport Minister Catherine King. In China, WeRide robotaxis are now available in the WeChat super app, enabling riders in Beijing to order autonomous rides directly through the platform.Episode Chapters0:00 Verizon Outage 1:45 New York's Unkind Welcome to Autonomous Vehicles 9:19 Robotaxi and Waymo Face-off in Austin12:47 Autonomy Markets Merch14:15 FSD Goes Subscription Only on Valentine's Day 17:18 Waymo Eyes Australian Expansion 21:03 Tensor Auto24:06 Stack AV26:14 Plus AI Expands to Japan28:33 Foreign Autonomy Desk 30:33 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, January 15, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Don Burnette, Founder & CEO, Kodiak joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss taking Kodiak public and why the company's strategy has always been about de-risking autonomy with optionality. As part of their de-risking strategy, Kodiak has deployed an asset-light business model where partners including Atlas Energy Solutions own and operate the trucks, allowing Kodiak to focus on the AI software.During the episode, Grayson and Don discuss the strategic importance of Kodiak's partnership with Bosch to develop a redundant, OEM-agnostic platform that unlocks scale across multiple OEMs. With their partnerships and business model intact, Kodiak is preparing to launch driver-out commercial over-the-road operations in the second half of the year, setting the stage for a broader expansion into physical AI.Episode Chapters0:00 Taking Kodiak Public3:36 Asset-Light Autonomous Trucking Business 12:10 Unstructured Driving 14:31 Kodiak's Platform Agnostic Strategy 21:45 Bosch Partnership 27:47 Preparing for Driver-Out Over-The-Road Operations 34:10 Over-The-Road Business Model25:38 Future of KodiakRecorded on Monday, January 12, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss CES 2026, Zoox's performance on the Las Vegas Strip and Uber's potential long-term autonomy plans. Zoox's performance was one of those hopefully “only in Las Vegas” moments, as the vehicle was seen stopping in the middle of traffic and blocking entrances on a regular basis. Which raises the question; what is Amazon going to do with Zoox? Do they overhaul management, make an acquisition, or simply shut it down and move on? While Zoox struggled, NVIDIA introduced their open-source Alpamayo AI models under an Apache 2.0 license to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles and sell more GPUs. Closing out the show, the discussion shifts to hardware and global expansion, contrasting Waymo's bulky new Ojai vehicle with the well-designed Lucid-Nuro robotaxi.Episode Chapters0:00 CES 20262:13 Zoox CES Experience 8:41 NVIDIA's CES Announcements 12:45 SAE Level 216:59 Waymo Ojai19:31 Lucid / Nuro Robotaxi21:29 Does Uber Need to Vertically Integrate Autonomy in the Future?25:05 Waymo / Uber Relationship27:37 Tensor Auto 32:49 Foreign Autonomy Desk34:35 Disgrace of The Week38:24 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, January 9, 2026--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the fallout from Waymo's crisis management failure in San Francisco, where a power outage left hundreds of vehicles stranded and blocking intersections throughout the city. Waymo's prolonged silence on the incident and lack of transparency regarding what truly happened could lead to a decline in public trust just as robotaxis begin to scale. Down in Austin, Tesla missed their 2025 driver-out deadline in Austin, prompting Grayson to push his prediction for driver-out/safety attendant out commercial service to late February or early March 2026.Then there is Uber, a company with an ever-changing narrative around autonomy—shifting from demand-generation to hybrid networks, and now claiming mass adoption is still decades away. What will the next narrative be, and will it change once again post-CES?Closing out the show, Grayson and Walt discuss how escalating geopolitical tensions in Venezuela and potential political shifts in the UK could force a hard reset for companies relying on Chinese autonomous technology to scale their robotaxi businesses.Episode Chapters0:00 Lights Out in San Francisco2:44 Why Did Waymo's Freeze When the Power Went Out?8:34 Remote Drivers15:00 Robotaxi in Austin18:33 Scaling Robotaxi 22:48 Autonomous Vehicle Policy24:47 Austin Incident Reports 27:17 Uber's Ever-Changing Narrative 30:31 Miami-Dade Sheriff Deploys Autonomous Patrol Vehicles 32:38 Foreign Autonomy Desk40:26 CESRecorded on Sunday, January 4, 2026 --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pete Bigelow, Public Relations Manager, Kodiak joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss his firsthand experience in the Permian Basin and how the region acts as a "literal and figurative sandbox" for autonomous trucking.During the episode Grayson and Pete discuss Kodiak's operational partnership with Atlas Energy Solutions, the hardening of technology against extreme weather and road conditions, and how these industrial learnings are accelerating Kodiak's timeline for driverless highway operations in the second half of 2026.Episode Chapters0:00 Permian Pete3:50 Permian Basin8:02 Automation in the Permian Basin11:10 Learnings from the Permian Basin16:01 Permian Basin Operations18:49 SensorPods23:50 Kodiak's Diversified Business Model27:34 Autonomous Trucking Regulations30:15 Permian Basin Road and Traffic Conditions35:49 Permian Pete's Ride Experience41:31 Autonomy Markets OutlookRecorded on Friday, December 19, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Darin Brannan, CEO & co-founder of Terminal Industries joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss transforming the logistics yard into a fully automated environment using computer vision and agentic AI. Unlike legacy approaches that rely on RFID tags or manual "clipboard and radio" processes, Terminal Industries utilizes a proprietary computer vision platform trained on real world data, including weather occlusions, dirt, and glare to achieve high-accuracy tracking without requiring perfect conditions. By digitizing the yard through an agentic workflow approach, the company is moving beyond simple point solutions to building a unified operating system that connects the warehouse to transportation, effectively enabling the transition from manual oversight to autonomous execution.Episode Chapters0:00 Playing Chess2:35 Yard Operating Systems7:15 Yard Bottlenecks 9:33 Traditional Yard and Warehouse Operations15:15 Computer Vision 19:05 Building LLM Models24:37 Data Control Centers27:43 Automating Yards36:34 Changing Consumer Habits39:03 Autonomous Trucks and Yards40:07 Future of Terminal IndustriesRecorded on Monday, December 15, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk, Grayson hit the road and met with Tim Kentley-Klay of HYPRLABS in San Francisco, Tesla started removing the safety attendees in Austin and Waymo is reportedly raising another round at a $110 billion valuation.Grayson shares details from his exclusive first ride in the HYPRDRIVE vehicle in San Francisco and insights from his The Road to Autonomy podcast interview with Tim Kentley Klay. They discuss HYPR's emergence from stealth and the company's unique vision-only, self-reinforcement learning approach to autonomy.As the vision-only modality gains market validation, the conversation shifts to Waymo. Despite generating significant momentum with a sensor suite heavily reliant on LiDAR and radar, the company is reportedly seeking to raise $15 billion in external capital at a $110 billion valuation. Grayson and Walt debate the strategic logic behind the raise and offer predictions on when Waymo will surpass one million paid rides per week.Closing out the show, they analyze the implications of a recent Bloomberg report suggesting that Sterling Anderson is being groomed to become the next CEO of GM.Episode Chapters0:00 Brighter with Herbert1:32 HYPRDRIVE Ride and Meeting with Tim Kentley Klay6:50 Waymo From SFO to the City with No Highway12:28 Tesla Starts Removing Safety Attendants in Austin18:03 Luminar Files for Chapter 1122:26 California's Pending Tesla Ban25:30 Sterling Anderson's Growing Role at GM31:24 Waymo's Capital Raise 37:43 Kodiak's Partnership with Verizon39:58 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, December 19, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tim Kentley Klay, CEO & co-founder of HYPRLABS, joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss how the company is achieving autonomous driving in downtown San Francisco using just 33 watts of compute and zero simulation or HD maps. By prioritizing "learning velocity," HYPR utilizes an end-to-end neural network that learns continuously from real-world driving data, avoiding the structural noise injected by classical simulation and hand-coded heuristics.While the industry often relies on massive engineering teams and brute-force compute, HYPRLABS is executing a high-efficiency strategy with a team of just four engineers and a foundational model trained for only $850. Drawing inspiration from DeepMind's AlphaZero, the company allows the AI to model the environment without predefined rules, using their autonomous vehicle fleet as a validation platform for a new category of robots launching next year.Episode Chapters0:00 Introduction to HYPRDRIVE1:30 HYPRDRIVE5:40 Learning Velocity 8:10 Building HYPR12:23 Training the System 18:55 The Origins of the HYPR Approach 21:36 Building Trust23:35 Simulation 27:07 $850 to Train the Model30:44 HYPR Robots33:22 Cameras35:16 What's Next Recorded on Sunday, December 14, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Rivian's bold vertical integration bet as the EV maker announced plans to build their own chips and lidar sensors, effectively moving away from NVIDIA.Is the introduction of “Autonomy+”, a new software subscription priced to undercut competitors a risky distraction or a necessary move as the company works toward profitability? As Rivian looks inward, Wayve signed a major win, signing a definitive agreement to scale with Nissan in North America and Japan beginning in 2027.Then there is Uber. Who does Uber want to be when autonomy grows up, and who will their partners ultimately be and what those relationships will look like in the long term? Currently, Uber's autonomy narrative faces challenges, as the company appears to be playing defense while getting front-run by partners Waymo in the U.S. and Momenta in Abu Dhabi. Closing out the show, Grayson and Walt discuss the growing world of international autonomy on the weekly Foreign Autonomy Desk segment, covering updates from Bolt, Stellantis, and Caterpillar.Episode Chapters0:00 Rivian's Autonomy Ambitions 13:11 Licensing Autonomous Driving Stacks17:29 Wayve's Approach to Autonomy 21:07 Tesla's Safety Attendant Out in Austin Plans23:35 Waymo's Blitz Scaling 27:37 Waymo's Growing OOH Ad Business 32:32 Uber's Autonomy Narrative 37:57 Serve Robotics 2,000 Robot Delivery Milestone39:30 Tensor Auto / Zero Partnership 42:13 Aurora's Permian Basin Expansion 44:47 Foreign Autonomy Desk 52:16 Next Week Recorded on Friday, December 12, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Olson, Founder & CEO of May Mobility joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss how autonomous vehicles can eliminate the "rideshare lottery", the inconsistent, variable experience of traditional rideshare by deploying fleet-managed robotaxis that offer a predictable, premium service.While the industry often focuses on vertical integration, May Mobility is executing an asset-light strategy focused on partnerships with Toyota, Uber, Lyft, and Grab to augment, rather than replace, existing networks. To help these networks scale efficiently, May Mobility is prioritizing hybrid vehicles to maximize asset utilization, effectively bypassing the downtime and infrastructure costs associated with EV charging.Episode Chapters0:00 May Mobility Expands to Asia with Grab 1:54 May Mobility's Partner & Deployment Strategy 4:43 Weather & Culture 12:48 Service Areas & Vehicles 19:12 The Hybrid Decision 22:15 Vehicle Platforms 25:15 On-Board Compute29:07 Deploying Robotaxis at Scale32:23 May Mobility Playbook38:26 Autonomy is Growing45:22 Next Year Recorded on Tuesday, November 25, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss “Thriller in the Big D” as Waymo upstages Uber's party in Dallas. The day before Uber was set to announce its commercial launch with Avride in Dallas, Waymo stole the spotlight by announcing they went driver-out in the same city. During the episode Grayson and Walt analyzed the fallout from this timing, including Uber's “marketing fail” where a safety driver was spotted in promotional footage, and debate whether Avride's limited 9-square-mile launch is a legitimate business move or just another “science project”.Beyond the drama in Texas, they dove into the broader race to scale, questioning if adding a few hundred cars in new markets Houston, Baltimore, and St. Louis truly counts as commercial scaling. As Waymo announces new markets, Sterling Anderson is aggressively hiring at GM and the autonomous trucking market is beginning to heat up.Episode Chapters0:00 The Thriller in Big D featuring Waymo, Avride and Uber5:17 Autonomous Vehicle Messaging 7:01 Avride / Uber's Dallas Service Area 10:14 No New Waymo/Uber Markets, So Far13:50 Waymo's Rapid Expansion 18:56 Waymo's Six Stages of Autonomy20:26 No Waymo Commercial Launch for Art Basel 21:49 Will Tesla Robotaxis Ever Be Available on Uber?23:06 FSD Updates25:00 Sterling Anderson's Growing Role at GM29:04 Wayve Acquires Quality Match 29:41 Foreign Autonomy Desk30:13 Waymo's Continuing Zeekr Issue 32:21 Autonomous Trucking33:50 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, December 5, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hugh Nguyen, Partner, Automotive Technology & Mobility, KPMG and Lerrel Pinto, Co-Founder, Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI) joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss why the immediate future of humanoid robotics lies in enterprise applications, rather than consumer homes.Episode Chapters0:00 Humanoid Robot Market6:44 Humanoid Due Diligence 9:40 Humanoid Value Chain12:08 Humanoids Size and Hands16:52 Building Humanoids18:52 Humanoid Personalities 20:24 Managing Humanoid Risk22:24 Humanoid Fleets25:36 Humanoid Use Cases 29:58 China33:20 Humanoid Policy38:42 Chips45:44 Deploying Humanoids in the Workplace 49:28 Future of HumanoidsRecorded on Thursday, November 6, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Uber and WeRide's fully autonomous launch in Abu Dhabi, marking Uber's first robotaxi deployment without a safety driver outside the United States.On WeRide's earnings, the company announced a fleet of 1,600 autonomous vehicles with 750 robotaxis, while Pony.ai announced plans to triple its fleet to 3,000 by end of next year through its Bolt partnership. As Chinese robotaxi companies expand globally, the scaling question emerges: who grows the fastest?It was another big week for Waymo as the California DMV approved a massive service area expansion that will come with infrastructure challenges and a need for thousands of additional vehicles if Waymo decides to ultimately operate in the approved area.Later the conversation shifts to Tesla, where Walt shares his firsthand experience with FSD 14.2 in Mad Max mode in New York City. Both Grayson and Walt make predictions on Tesla removing the safety attendant in Austin and expanding to new markets including Arizona, Florida, and potentially Las Vegas by end of next year.Episode Chapters0:00 WeRide and Uber Go Fully Autonomous in Abu Dhabi3:08 WeRide Earnings6:33 Robotaxi Volumes and Business Models 10:13 Waymo's California DMV Expansion Approval 14:01 Waymo's Santa Monica Depot Noise Issues 20:20 Tesla Robotaxi Scale Plans24:31 Tesla FSD 14.2 Update27:52 Do We Want to Drive Anymore?31:25 Next Week Recorded on Wednesday, November 26, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Seeger, Founder & Co-CEO, Glydways joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss how a mesh network of private, on-demand autonomous pods can solve global urban congestion at a fraction of the cost of traditional transit.While today's narrative currently centers around robotaxis, the real breakthrough may come from rethinking the physics and economics of mass transit through disaggregation. Instead of relying on infrastructure-steered legacy rail systems that lose money on every ride, Glydways has developed an autonomous pod system that utilizes lightweight, pedestrian-grade infrastructure at roughly 10% of the cost of light rail. In other words, replacing a $2 billion-per-mile problem with a $20 million-per-mile solution.Episode Chapters0:00 Founding Glydways7:10 Economic Impact of Glydways12:24 Incumbent Lobbyists 15:30 Foreign Markets 18:54 Glydways Infrastructure 26:43 Trust & Safety 35:14 Glydways Network46:09 Glydways Cost Comparison 49:38 Future of GlydwaysRecorded on Tuesday, November 18, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's accelerated nationwide expansion with new markets, Minneapolis, Tampa, New Orleans, Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando getting ready to come online, while breaking down and coin Waymo's Six Stages of Autonomy.As Waymo expands, competition is brewing in Dallas where Avride in partnership with Uber and Lyft in partnership with Mobileye will begin to operate commercial robotaxi services later this year and into next year, as Dallas begins to emerge as a major robotaxi market.Beyond Waymo, the episode explores broader industry signals, from sidewalk delivery robots that are scaling, to Zoox's extremely limited San Francisco deployment despite Amazon resources, and the accelerating Chinese robotaxi expansion into Europe.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo's On-Going Expansion 2:21 Waymo's Disney World Opportunity 8:04 Waymo's Six Stages of Autonomy 14:45 Waymo's Upcoming Dallas Launch 18:08 Dallas Robotaxi Competition 20:36 Waymo's Current Political Issues 25:09 Scaling Delivery Robots 28:41 Zoox Has Scale Ambitions 32:34 Foreign Autonomy Desk 33:21 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, November 21, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hugh Nguyen, Partner, Automotive Technology & Mobility, KPMG joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the emerging wave of autonomous vehicle partnerships, the hidden value in fleet operations, and the coming M&A consolidation that will reshape the industry.As the autonomous vehicle ecosystem accelerates through a phase of rapid partnership formation, the real value lies “below the line” with fleet operations, depot management, safety protocols, and operational expertise that rarely makes headlines. While the market fixates on vehicle counts and technology partnerships, the proprietary knowledge of how to actually deploy and scale robotaxi operations at profitable unit economics represents the true competitive moat. Hugh predicts the next 18-24 months will see continued partnership proliferation across global markets, followed by strategic consolidation driven not by headline M&A deals, but by precision talent acquisition and operational capability roll-ups. The winners will be those who control fleet operations, understand regulatory navigation, and can scale profitably. Capabilities that are increasingly attracting investor interest as the industry matures beyond the cult of the founder and towards operational excellence.Episode Chapters0:00 KPMG's Thoughts on Autonomous Vehicles 6:04 Autonomous Vehicle Partnerships 15:31 Emerging M&A Activity 23:48 What Happens When a Partnership Doesn't Work?25:47 Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Management 31:45 Autonomous Vehicle Asset Rollup 40:10 The "Passport" Model 47:17 Cult of The Founder48:54 M&A OutlookRecorded on Thursday, November 6, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's great highway unlock, their Bay Area expansion to 260 square miles and the launch of commercial service at the San Jose Airport.Despite the expansion, Waymo remains sharply vehicle-constrained. Bloomberg reported this week that the company is operating roughly 1,000 vehicles in the Bay Area, 700 in Los Angeles, 500 in Phoenix, 200 in Austin, and just 100 in Atlanta, for a total fleet of approximately 2,500 vehicles spread across all markets.In the autonomous trucking market, Kodiak continues to demonstrate that the economics work. With 10 fully driverless trucks generating revenue in the Permian Basin, the company logged 5,200 paid hours last quarter, up 166% from Q2, a meaningful validation of the model.Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt examine why technology leadership means nothing without scalable manufacturing partnerships and now how autonomous trucking is pulling ahead of robotaxis on business model execution, and what global expansion in Abu Dhabi and Singapore signals about the global competitive landscape.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo Expands to Highways3:58 Vehicle Supply16:56 California Airports19:28 Tesla FSD Update21:42 Uber Ski25:21 Kodiak29:40 Foreign Autonomy Desk30:40 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, November 13, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's expansion into three new markets, Uber's role in autonomy and Lyft's growing infrastructure ambitions. Beneath the headlines, Tesla is aiming to once again reshape the entire autonomous driving industry with their AI5 chip, FSD Unsupervised deployment, and the expansion of their insurance business. As Tesla continues to focus on what's next, Uber is sending mixed messages to the market while engineers across Silicon Valley begin exploring alternatives to Nvidia's GPUs. Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt discuss what happens when the world's largest autonomy players diverge on strategy and long-standing partnerships begin to falter.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo's Three City Expansion 2:11 Waymo & Uber's Relationship 4:21 Managing Robotaxi Fleets14:56 Robotaxis at Airports 16:40 Uber's Autonomy Messaging Strategy 23:12 NVIDIA and the Growing Demand for new Chips25:45 Applied Intuition 28:19 Tesla37:14 Foreign Autonomy Desk40:02 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, November 7, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss NVIDIA's ever expanding autonomy ambitions and the fracturing relationship between Waymo and Uber, which may signal the end of one of the industry's most-watched partnerships. Jensen Huang's latest GTC announcements further signaled that NVIDIA is moving beyond supplying compute to potentially building their own full autonomy stack and licensing it. Grayson and Walt trace this shift back to the early days NVIDIA's automotive division and the evolution of its Hyperion platform, which is now positioned not only to power OEMs but also to compete directly with the very companies that rely on its GPUs to enable autonomous driving systems.While NVIDIA appears poised to compete with its customers, Waymo and Uber's partnership is showing signs of unraveling after Uber announced plans to deploy Lucid/Nuro autonomous vehicles in San Francisco next year, directly challenging Waymo on in their home market.Grayson likens the move to “divorce court,” raising questions about how the companies will divide the Austin and Atlanta markets, where Waymo currently operates exclusively on Uber's platform. The episode closes with updates on Aurora's strategic pivot and the Foreign Autonomy Desk, covering Baidu's expansion in Hong Kong, Uber's European ambitions, and continued progress in Tesla's FSD rollout.Episode Chapters0:00 NVIDIA's Autonomy Ambitions 7:13 Waymo & Uber's Fracturing Relationship9:35 Nuro's Upcoming Launch on Uber in San Francisco 11:51 Gemini is Coming to Waymo14:05 Boston's Autonomous Vehicle Blunder15:43 Seattle's Challenging Political Environment 17:34 Political Coalitions 19:36 Aurora's Pivot25:32 Tesla Robotaxi / FSD 14 Updates30:04 Foreign Autonomy Desk33:08 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, October 30, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Welch, Detroit Bureau Chief, Bloomberg joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss GM's return to autonomy and the company's long-term strategy for personally owned autonomous vehicles.As GM once again re-enters the autonomous vehicle market, the company is signaling a new chapter, one centered on developing a hands-free, eyes-free driving system under the leadership of Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson, beginning with the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ.GM's evolution from Super Cruise to a fully realized personal autonomy platform represents more than a technological shift; it marks a strategic transformation in how the company approaches safety, profitability, and consumer trust. The automaker is rebuilding its autonomy strategy through a sharp focus on profitability, disciplined execution, and a renewed commitment to integrating autonomy into vehicles that consumers can own and enjoy.Episode Chapters0:00 The Road to Autonomy Introduction0:23 GM's Renewed Autonomy Strategy 7:00 Super Cruise 11:35 Hands-Off, Eyes-Off16:04 Policy19:14 China23:10 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Platform 25:30 Contract Manufacturing and Licensing 32:03 GM's New Computing Platform 40:46 GM in 2030Recorded on Friday, October 24, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Tesla's Q3 earnings call, NVIDIA's strategic partnership with Uber, and GM's surprising return to autonomy under Sterling Anderson's leadership.The conversation opens with Walt's firsthand insights from Tesla's Q3 2025 earnings call, where the company confirmed plans to remove safety attendants across “large parts” of Austin by year-end after accumulating 250,000 robotaxi miles.Tesla also announced 8–10 additional markets coming online by year-end, including Florida, Arizona, and Nevada, following the company's phased rollout playbook: safety-attended operations first, followed by fully autonomous service. Grayson projects more than 300 Model Y Robotaxis operating in Austin by mid-2026, potentially joined by 25–50 Cybercabs pending NHTSA exemptions.The discussion then turns to NVIDIA's newly announced partnership with Uber, which Grayson sees as signaling something much bigger than data sharing. He suggests NVIDIA could be positioning to acquire a leading autonomous driving developer such as Wayve, mirroring its CUDA strategy where software dominance separated it from competitors.His thesis: NVIDIA will ultimately own and license an autonomy stack across the industry, creating existential risk for startups dependent on its compute. Walt explores the market dynamics and potential conflicts that arise when your chip vendor becomes your competitor, while noting that NVIDIA's brand power could simultaneously validate the entire autonomy market.The week also brought news from GM, which re-entered the autonomy race by announcing a 2028 “hands-off, eyes-off” system debuting in the Cadillac Escalade IQ. Sterling Anderson confirmed GM's staged rollout plan: highways first, urban next, then full urban autonomy.Closing out the episode, Grayson and Walt debut the Foreign Autonomy Desk, covering Baidu Apollo's partnership with Swiss PostBus, WeRide and Uber's shuttle launch in Saudi Arabia, May Mobility's strategic investment from Grab for Southeast Asia expansion, and Waymo's effort to bring UK safety advocates to California for test rides ahead of its potential London launch.Episode Chapters0:00 Tesla Q3 2025 Earnings14:58 NVIDIA's Autonomy Ambitions20:59 Avride & Uber's Autonomy Investment Strategy23:09 GM is Back in Autonomy28:46 Waymo Begins Manually Testing at EWR (Newark Airport)32:14 Foreign Autonomy DeskRecorded on Friday October 24, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Tesla's continued FSD 14 updates, Waymo's expansion to London and the growing political and infrastructure challenges shaping the next phase of robotaxi growth.Walt shares his latest hands-on experience with FSD 14, including testing the new “Mad Max” mode, featuring more assertive lane changes, higher driving speeds, and improved autonomous parking. As Tesla refines FSD 14 in preparation for a wider release, Waymo continues to expand globally.This week, Waymo announced plans to launch in London in 2026, marking its second international market and the first where it will compete head-to-head with Uber for robotaxi rides. If an expansion to London was not enough, Waymo also announced a partnership with DoorDash for the Phoenix market, signaling continued momentum in delivery automation.Every robotaxi market presents unique challenges, and New York City is no exception. Political, regulatory, business, and energy constraints could slow Waymo's path to launching a commercial service in the Big Apple as Grayson and Walt discuss NYC's lack of energy infrastructure.Closing out the conversation, they turn their attention to Europe where Stellantis has partnered with Pony.ai to deploy autonomous Peugeot vans in Luxembourg, a potential sign that Stellantis could perhaps be looking to re-enter the autonomous vehicle market.Episode Chapters0:00 FSD 14 Update6:47 Robotaxi Mode8:56 Rolling Stops10:12 Waymo's London Expansion 13:10 Wayve18:13 Waymo/DoorDash Partnership21:50 NYC's Energy Infrastructure 27:08 Stellantis/Pony.ai Partnership30:06 Waymo Driver32:11 Next WeekRecorded on Friday October 17, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Doria, Director of Engineering – Automated Driving, Magna joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss Magna's approach to developing autonomous driving systems.As the automotive industry transitions toward software-defined vehicles that will eventually become fully autonomous, the core technologies driving this transformation are being built today.On the road to autonomy, the evolution from Level 2 ADAS to more advanced autonomous systems is redefining not only how cars drive but also how they are designed, validated, and trusted. David underscores that autonomy will not arrive overnight and that it will scale through innovation, safety, and collaboration, beginning with advanced Level 2+ systems that are already on the roads today.Episode Chapters0:00 The Road to Autonomy Introduction0:23 Changing Automotive Market4:04 Maps8:47 Sensors14:13 Compute17:07 End-To-End22:02 Partnerships & Licensing Autonomous Driving Software 25:16 Software27:26 Automotive Standards 32:12 Public Trust36:28 Scaling AutonomyRecorded on Friday, October 10, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Tesla's FSD 14 release and Waymo's potential market expansions. The episode begins with Walt sharing his firsthand experience testing FSD 14, showcasing its breakthrough ability to autonomously back out of driveways and park at destinations with a single tap. While impressive, he notes challenges remain with driveway precision and occasional cautious, jerky driving behavior that sets this version apart from previous releases.As Tesla rolls out FSD 14, NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation into FSD. Meanwhile, Waymo is looking to potentially expand to Minnesota, after the company hired four lobbyists as part of an effort to changes to state laws that still require human drivers in autonomous vehicles.Across the Atlantic, Sweden has approved Tesla to test FSD on public roads, a clear signal that countries are beginning to embrace autonomy. Yet, in the U.S., significant opportunities remain untapped. From Chicago to Minneapolis, Charlotte to Tampa, major metro markets still await large-scale robotaxi deployments.Episode Chapters0:00 FSD 147:30 Preliminary NHTSA Tesla Investigation 12:50 FSD Approval in Sweden 14:56 Waymo Eyes Minnesota Expansion 17:07 Potential Waymo Expansion Markets22:18 Wayve Correction 22:47 DoorDash27:05 Lyft / Tensor Auto Partnership 31:35 Aurora's Warning Triangle Waiver36:12 Next WeekRecorded on Friday October 10, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Varun Jain, Of Counsel, K&L Gates joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss why the next 15 months will define autonomous vehicle policy in America. With new leadership at NHTSA and growing interest in Congress, Varun outlines why the next 15 months will be pivotal for establishing a national autonomous vehicle framework. From updating outdated FMVSS standards to expanding autonomous vehicle testing authority, and with proposed legislation such as the Self-Drive Act, America Drives Act, and Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act, a comprehensive federal framework may finally be within reach.Throughout the conversation, Varun emphasizes that the momentum for autonomy is shifting from concept to mainstream adoption. He and Grayson explore how public acceptance, economic opportunity, and clear messaging can drive the next wave of policy action, comparing the potential trajectory of autonomous vehicles to the rapid regulatory turnaround that benefited crypto. The discussion underscores that safety, job creation, and U.S. competitiveness all hinge on one thing; passing a national autonomous vehicle framework that includes trucks over 10,001 pounds.Episode Chapters0:00 The Road to Autonomy Introduction0:23 Autonomous Vehicle Policy Outlook12:37 Why is Now the Time for a National Autonomous Vehicle Framework?17:31 Activating Public Engagement 23:04 Job Creation 24:45 Learning from the Crypto Industry 28:51 Messaging 31:40 What Will it take to get a National Autonomous Vehicle Framework?35:56 Managing Regulations 41:25 When go we get a National Autonomous Vehicle Framework?Recorded on Friday, September 26, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the accelerating global expansion of robotaxis. In London, Wayve is proving its adaptable, AI-powered autonomous system can navigate complex roadways, from double roundabouts to unpredictable pedestrian interactions without reliance on LiDAR.Wayve's strategy of working hand-in-hand with OEMs sets it apart from Tesla's vision-only approach, allowing flexibility depending on manufacturer demands. At the same time, institutional investors are beginning to pay more attention to the autonomous vehicles, particularly focusing not just on the technology, but on broader ecosystem of energy, fleet management, and vehicle depreciation that will define the autonomy economy.Meanwhile, the Middle East is rapidly positioning itself as an autonomy hub. Dubai has granted Baidu Apollo permits with an eye toward fully driverless operations by 2026, while at the same time Uber introduced an autonomous vehicle tier in Abu Dhabi.As the U.K., EU, and UAE push ahead on autonomy, the race to define the global robotaxi market is intensifying, reshaping not just mobility, but the economics underpinning the future of global autonomous vehicle fleets.Episode Chapters0:00 Live from London3:02 Wayve in London10:47 UK & EU Autonomous Vehicle Regulations 13:20 Moove & the Management of Autonomous Vehicles 17:44 UK AV Market18:47 Waymo in New York 21:29 D.C. Shutdown 22:48 D.C. Politics of Tesla FSD26:23 Kodiak28:21 Mobileye32:47 EV Sales34:32 AVs in the UAE38:11 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, October 2, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Martyn Briggs, Director, Thematic Investing Strategy, Bank of America joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss why 2035 might be the year the car peaks and what that means for the market. Breakthroughs in AI, falling sensor costs, and favorable regulation have shifted autonomy from a “moonshot” to a fast-emerging industry and soon, a global economy that we call the autonomy economy. During the conversation Grayson and Martyn explore Bank of America's forecast of a $1.2 trillion total addressable market for autonomous vehicles by 2040, spanning not only passenger cars but also logistics, ports, mining, and agriculture.They discuss how generative AI, simulation, and neural networks are accelerating deployment and why autonomy is becoming a critical solution to labor shortages worldwide. The conversation also highlights regional adoption trends, the geopolitics shaping the autonomous vehicle race, and the more than $200 billion already invested since 2010, signaling a clear shift into commercialization and long-term opportunities for both technology developers and investors.Episode Chapters0:00 The Road to Autonomy Introduction0:23 Bank of America: The Future of Autonomous Vehicles Report10:26 UK Public Opinion on Autonomous Vehicles 16:24 Autonomous Vehicle Market Constraints 18:03 Autonomous Vehicles and Tourism20:20 Foxconn22:42 Personally-Owned Autonomous Vehicles and the Growth of Licensing 28:05 The Growing Autonomy Markets34:39 Autonomous Trucking38:57 Robotaxi Costs41:33 Peak Car and Increasing Autonomous Vehicle Investments 46:57 Institutional Investors 51:38 AI Data54:56 Chinese Autonomous Vehicle Market58:59 Autonomous Vehicles ChatGPT MomentRecorded on Thursday, September 25, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the upcoming release of Tesla FSD 14, Waymo's potential expansion to London and Nuro taking delivery of their first Lucid-built robotaxi.What will the highly anticipated release of FSD 14 (Supervised) mean for the market? Could reduced driver monitoring signal that Tesla is inching closer to FSD Unsupervised? One thing is clear no matter what, Tesla's vertical integration and production scale position it to deploy robotaxis faster than anyone, including Waymo, which remains dependent on its manufacturing partners. Later the conversation then turns to Waymo's London ambitions and what this expansion could reveal about its evolving relationship with Uber. As for Uber, where do they ultimately want to go in autonomy, and how do they want the market to perceive their strategy? Is it time to acknowledge they won't be over reliant on Waymo to scale, and instead focus on growing the Nuro/Lucid partnership globally? The answers aren't yet clear, but the possibilities are endless as Uber expands deeper into the robotaxi market.Episode Chapters0:00 FSD 146:44 Waymo Eyes London Expansion9:17 Does Uber Launch Robotaxis in Nashville without Waymo?11:35 Waymo Market Predictions15:13 Tesla Market Predictions17:53 Amazon's Continued Commitment to Zoox23:26 Nuro Takes Delivery of First Lucid-Built Robotaxi28:43 Nissan ProPilot powered by Wayve31:08 Kodiak Goes Public32:22 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, September 25, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chuck Price, President, AI Kinetics joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss Bot Auto's successful 40-mile, fully autonomous run with no human in the cab or operating the vehicle remotely.In what Chuck Price calls a “watershed event,” Bot Auto successfully completed a driver-out run in under two years with less than $45 million in funding, compared to other competitors which are currently spending $600 million+ a year.Bot Auto's accomplishment could have broad implications for the autonomous trucking industry in terms of technological roadmaps and commercialization strategies. How they achieved this milestone with such limited resources will become a central question throughout the autonomy markets.Episode Chapters0:00 The Road to Autonomy Introduction0:23 Bot Auto Goes Driver-Out3:22 The Role of OEMs in an Autonomous Trucking World7:20 After Driver-Out, What's Next for Bot Auto?12:54 Building an Autonomous Trucking Business16:11 Rethinking the OEM Deal: When is the Right Time to Partner?19:43 Contract Manufacturing25:39 Ripple Effects of Bot Auto Going Driver-Out31:38 AI Unlock33:17 Proof Points37:50 Tesla Semi43:18 Current State of the Autonomous Trucking Industry45:51 Key TakeawayRecorded on Thursday, September 18, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Lyft's dramatic return to the big leagues of the autonomous vehicle industry through a surprise partnership with Waymo in Nashville, including fleet management, sending Lyft stock soaring 20% while Uber dropped 5%.Grayson and Walt examine the strategic implications of this non-exclusive deal, where a shared fleet will operate across both Lyft and Waymo networks, with Lyft leveraging its Flexdrive subsidiary for fleet management. This deal, marks Waymo's second partnership with Lyft, correcting widespread media reports that overlooked a small 2019 Phoenix pilot program that quietly disappeared from public view.The conversation expands into Waymo's incremental progress at San Francisco Airport (SFO) which is limited to the “kiss and fly” area rather than curbside access, and what this signals for Waymo's pending highway operations. Grayson predicts Waymo will begin operating on highways in the Bay Area by December 2025, while they debate sensor stack limitations that may be preventing current Jaguar fleets from highway deployment. Grayson and Walt also analyze Bot Auto‘s milestone achievement of a fully driverless 40-mile commercial run accomplished with just $45 million in funding, contrasting this efficiency against billion-dollar competitors still operating with safety drivers. The episode concludes with Tesla and Uber's freight partnership, which Walt characterizes as a potential “Trojan horse” for Tesla's autonomous trucking ambitions.Episode Chapters0:00 Lyft / Waymo Partnership7:01 Lyft / Waymo History 8:39 Nashville Market 12:17 Impact on the Uber / Waymo Relationship 15:31 Waymo's SFO Expansion 17:13 Waymo's “Great Highway Expansion” 20:39 Waymo's Emerging Zeekr Risk in Tennessee 23:00 Waymo's Airport Unlocks 25:25 Bot Auto Goes Driver-Out29:30 Going Driver-Out without an OEM Deal33:47 Tesla Semi / Uber Freight Partnership 37:24 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, September 18, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Qasar Younis, CEO and Peter Ludwig, CTO, Co-Founders of Applied Intuition joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss why Applied Intuition continues to be one of the most interesting companies in autonomy.The conversation explores Applied Intuition's growing portfolio of partnerships, including a major deal with Komatsu and the launch of their new SDS (self-driving system for automotive). Qasar and Peter share how first-principles thinking, diversification across verticals, and a relentless focus on engineering have allowed the company to expand while continually de-risking the business.As OEMs weigh the long-running build-versus-buy debate around autonomous driving systems, China's automakers are rapidly advancing their capabilities with a strong emphasis on in-vehicle software. From Tesla's software-driven model to legacy OEMs navigating the transition to software-defined vehicles, this episode of The Road to Autonomy highlights how Applied Intuition's Vehicle OS and SDS offerings are designed to meet automakers where they are today, while positioning them for what's next.In a future where software increasingly defines brand and customer experience, Applied Intuition is building the infrastructure that will power both vehicles and autonomy. Episode Chapters0:00 What's Next for Applied Intuition? 1:44 Self-Driving for Automotive (SDS)7:15 Managing Risks12:45 Komatsu Partnership16:32 Breakthrough Technology 21:38 Vehicle OS23:48 OpenAI Partnership25:05 L2/L2+ Demand32:42 Licensing Autonomous Driving Systems35:18 Maintaining SDS42:50 Cadillac44:09 Does Software Defines a Brand? 46:10 Planning for Automotive Software 49:29 What's NextRecorded on Friday, September 5, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the rapidly shifting landscape of AI inside of vehicles, exploring how xAI's Grok and Google's Gemini are shaping the future of in-vehicle experiences.Grayson and Walt debate whether these AI systems will remain as assistants limited to Q&A or evolve into agentic copilots capable of controlling everything from “car wash mode” to trip planning and operating the traditional in-cabin functions of a vehicle. They draw parallels to historical tech battles, from Apple CarPlay's removal by GM to the politics within Alphabet that may slow Gemini's rollout inside Waymo vehicles. The discussion underscores how the integration of AI into vehicles could become one of the most valuable battlegrounds in autonomy. Beyond AI integration, the conversation expands into the latest market moves across autonomy. Tesla's upcoming expansion to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and California airports takes center stage, alongside SpaceX's $19 billion spectrum acquisition and its implications for connectivity in robotaxis.Episode Chapters0:00 Qualcomm on The Road to Autonomy2:51 Grok vs Gemini: Who Will Own the Future of AI In-Vehicle?12:33 Tensor Auto14:40 Tesla's Planned Robotaxi Expansions20:19 SpaceX / EchoStar Spectrum Deal 23:48 Zoox Las Vegas Launch27:17 May Mobility's Launch in Atlanta on Lyft31:41 Do May Mobility Cars go to Lyft or Uber First?34:12 Waymo's Emerging Hyundai Risk 36:30 Kodiak Delivers First Factory Upfitted Autonomous Truck38:35 Autonomous Trucking Industry40:43 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, September 12, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dean Foreman, Chief Economist, Texas Oil & Gas Association joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss how record-breaking global energy demand and Texas's energy dominance are reshaping markets amid the AI revolution and shifting geopolitical dynamics. With the Energy Information Administration (EIA) projecting consecutive oil demand records of 103.7 million barrels per day in 2025 and 104.9 million barrels per day in 2026, Texas has emerged as the undisputed energy powerhouse, now producing 42% of US oil and 30% of US natural gas while generating $27.3 billion in state tax revenue and supporting over 1.3 million jobs.The Permian Basin continues to demonstrate remarkable productivity gains, delivering 20% more output using 40% fewer rigs compared to 2018-2019 levels through advanced data analytics and re-fracking technologies. This efficiency revolution has enabled Texas to account for 80% of US oil growth year-to-date while natural gas demand reaches record highs of 148.7 trillion cubic feet globally. Despite economic headwinds including record $18.4 trillion household debt and softening labor indicators, energy markets continue to show resilience with diesel demand up 4% and jet fuel climbing 5% year-over-year, reflecting continued industrial activity and travel recovery.Natural gas is rapidly becoming the critical infrastructure powering AI data centers and the digital economy, with hyperscalers increasingly turning to co-located natural gas generation for reliable 24/7 electricity. As geopolitical tensions create new energy partnerships between Russia and China through proposed pipelines capable of 5 billion cubic feet per day, and Europe relies on up to 75% of Texas LNG exports during peak periods, traditional energy resources prove foundational not just to current economic prosperity but to the future of automation, artificial intelligence, and global technological advancement.Episode Chapters0:00 Weakening U.S. Dollar & Interest Rates2:21 Growing Household Debt4:20 Emerging Markets & Supply Chains5:27 Growing Natural Gas Demand12:49 Growing Global Oil Demand16:51 Potential Weakening U.S. Economy18:33 Global Oil Supply21:27 China24:49 Europe29:55 Permian Basin 32:58 ADS Business Conditions Index34:33 Tech's Impact on Oil & Natural Gas Industry36:03 Texas Oil & Natural Gas Industry's Economic Impact 37:52 Next QuarterRecorded on Thursday, September 4, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the new expansion announcements from both Waymo and Tesla, framing it as a “heavyweight fight”. Waymo announced plans to expand to Denver and Seattle, with Denver set to become the first city where its fleet will include both Jaguar I-PACEs and Zeekrs. The company also gained regulatory approval to operate at the San Jose (SJC) airport, a move Grayson Brulte predicted five months ago on a previous episode.Meanwhile, Tesla opened the public waitlist for its Robotaxi app, which quickly surged up the Apple App Store charts, reaching #1 in the travel category and #8 overall among free apps.The discussion then broadens beyond the Waymo–Tesla rivalry, touching on the political headwinds Waymo faces in Seattle, NHTSA's recent regulatory changes designed to accelerate autonomous vehicle commercialization, and Torc's $660 million annual burn rate as Daimler Truck explores external funding options.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo-Tesla Competition 5:48 Waymo's Denver Expansion 8:01 No Uber Partnership for Denver or Seattle?10:36 Waymo's Affection for Unwelcoming Cities, Including Seattle 15:24 Benefits of Autonomy 16:37 Updated NHTSA Rules19:23 Waymo Expands to San Jose Airport, Is SFO Next?24:22 Tesla Opens Robotaxi Waitlist 27:43 Highway Unlocks30:44 Avride Launching on Uber in Dallas33:16 Tensor Auto35:49 Daimler Truck is Seeking Outside Capital for Torc40:18 Next WeekRecorded on Friday, September 5, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk marked the one-year anniversary of Autonomy Markets and discussed the reignited debate between LiDAR and vision-only after comments made by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi during an interview. During the interview, Mr. Khosrowshahi stated that in the short term, a combination of camera, LiDAR, and radar is the “right solution,” noting that all of Uber's current partners use this combination. This statement prompted a response from Elon Musk, who argued via a post on X that LiDAR and radar actually reduce safety due to “sensor contention” and reaffirmed Tesla's commitment to a camera-only system. Beyond the technical debate, Grayson and Walt discussed Tesla's expanded Robotaxi service in Austin and the growing opposition to a potential Waymo deployment in New York City.Episode Chapters0:00 One-Year Anniversary of Autonomy Markets2:14 Dara Khosrowshahi Reignites LiDAR vs Vision-Only Debate9:24 Elon Musk's LiDAR Rebuttal 11:49 What if Tesla Embraced LiDAR?14:29 Robotaxi Expands in Austin, Once Again18:14 Traffic Fatalities 20:32 Waymo Begins Testing in New York City26:06 Boring Company is Testing FSD Supervised in Las Vegas29:07 Stellantis Shuts Down Internal ADAS Development Program31:28 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, August 28, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anshuman Saxena, Vice President and Head of ADAS/Autonomous Driving Products, Qualcomm joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss Qualcomm's Snapdragon autonomy strategy.Qualcomm's automotive division is rapidly expanding, with revenue up 59% year-over-year to $959 million. At the center of this growth is the company's Snapdragon Digital Chassis, a comprehensive automotive platform and the cornerstone of Qualcomm's autonomy strategy.As part of this approach, Qualcomm is redefining the digital cockpit by integrating AI-powered natural language interactions, advanced graphics through Adreno GPUs, and vision-based systems that enhance both safety and user experience.Looking ahead, Qualcomm's Snapdragon architecture is not only powering vehicles today but also laying the foundation for robotics and future intelligent systems.Episode Chapters0:00 Qualcomm's Approach to Autonomy6:10 ADAS Growth Opportunity 10:09 Consumer Adoption of ADAS12:10 In-Vehicle Experience 16:37 Snapdragon Digital Chassis17:44 Adreno GPU24:15 Developing Technology with Partners28:05 Robotaxi Platform29:36 Vision Systems 33:07 Personally Owned Autonomous Vehicles 35:46 Reasoning 40:54 Chip Design 45:16 Future of Qualcomm's Automotive Division Recorded on Tuesday, August 26, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the significant operational challenges Waymo and Uber are currently experiencing in Atlanta and Nuro's Series E round.Waymo's launch in Atlanta has gone anything but smooth. A shortage of vehicles and frequent rider pairing issues on Uber have sparked negative local media coverage, with Fox 5 Atlanta even publishing a guide on how to improve your chances of getting a Waymo ride. The Atlanta launch has raised questions about the long-term future of Uber and Waymo's partnership. While Waymo and Uber are facing vehicle supply issues in Atlanta, Nuro successfully closed a Series E round led by Uber that raised $203 million at a valuation of $6 billion.Episode Chapters0:00 Robots2:42 Nuro Series E4:54 Delivery Robots Part 16:11 Fleet Management 9:24 Delivery Robots Part 214:26 Waymo on Uber in Atlanta 21:15 Status of Waymo and Uber's Relationship 26:58 Helm.ai Honda Expand Partnership 32:21 Alibaba's Autonomous Driving IPO34:16 Baidu Apollo Go36:35 Tesla FSD in Japan38:46 Cybercab39:32 Next WeekRecorded on Thursday, August 21, 2025--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy provides market intelligence and strategic advisory services to institutional investors and companies, delivering insights needed to stay ahead of emerging trends in the autonomy economy™. To learn more, say hello (at) roadtoautonomy.com.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.