Alphabet Inc.’s CEO Sundar Pichai recently highlighted Tesla Inc. as Waymo’s primary competitor in the autonomous driving space, underscoring the rapidly evolving landscape of self-driving technologies. Speaking at The New York Times DealBook Summit on December 4, Pichai expressed optimism about Waymo’s expansion while acknowledging Tesla’s strides in autonomy.
Waymo’s Expanding Footprint: Aiming for 10 Cities by 2025
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving subsidiary, is accelerating its rollout across U.S. cities. According to Pichai, the company plans to operate in 10 cities by the end of 2025, with six or seven locations already active by this year’s close. Current services are available in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to Miami, Florida, by 2026.
Pichai emphasized that all expansions are rooted in safety and data metrics, a strategy that ensures responsible growth in a competitive environment. “Safety guides every decision we make,” he remarked, as Waymo continues to deliver autonomous rides to the public.
Pichai Acknowledges Tesla’s Progress
In a rare nod to competition, Pichai lauded Tesla’s advancements in autonomous technology. “Tesla is making amazing progress,” he said, placing Tesla and Waymo as the leaders in the autonomous driving space.
Tesla’s ambitions in autonomy hinge on its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. CEO Elon Musk has expressed confidence that Tesla will launch a driverless ride-hailing service next year in Texas and California, pending regulatory approval. While the FSD system still requires driver supervision, Tesla hopes future updates will enable full autonomy.
Tesla’s Future Plans: Cybercab and Robovan
Tesla is also innovating in autonomous vehicle design. In October, the company unveiled the Cybercab, a two-seater autonomous vehicle, and the Robovan, a 20-seater autonomous shuttle. Both vehicles lack traditional steering wheels and pedals, embodying Tesla’s vision for fully driverless transportation. Production of the Cybercab is expected to begin before 2027, indicating Tesla’s long-term commitment to transforming urban mobility.
GM’s Exit from Robotaxi Market
While Tesla and Waymo accelerate their efforts, General Motors recently decided to discontinue funding for its autonomous vehicle unit, Cruise. GM cited the immense time and resources required to scale robotaxi operations as the primary reason for this strategic shift.
Instead, GM plans to integrate Cruise’s technologies into its broader technical teams, focusing on Super Cruise, its driver assistance system. Super Cruise still requires active driver supervision, but GM believes this technology has more immediate scalability and profitability.
The decision comes amid increasing competition in the robotaxi space. Cruise, once a key player alongside Waymo, had been operational in several U.S. cities but struggled to maintain momentum in the face of technological and regulatory challenges.
Waymo and Tesla: The Road Ahead
As GM retreats, Waymo and Tesla are poised to dominate the autonomous driving sector. Waymo’s steady, safety-driven approach contrasts with Tesla’s bold, innovation-led strategy.
Both companies have ambitious plans for the coming year. Waymo’s expansion to 10 cities could solidify its position as the most widely available autonomous ride-hailing service, while Tesla’s potential launch of driverless rides in Texas and California may disrupt traditional mobility solutions.
The race to autonomy remains dynamic, with safety, innovation, and regulatory approval as pivotal factors shaping the industry’s future. For now, Waymo and Tesla stand as the clear leaders, charting the path toward a driverless world.
