CEOs Challenge Assumptions on Driverless Tech as Deployment Surges

UPDATE: Three industry leaders—Don Burnette, Raquel Urtasun, and Dave Ferguson—are reshaping the narrative around driverless technology, challenging widely held beliefs as their companies prepare for mass deployment. In urgent interviews with Business Insider, these CEOs revealed critical insights that could redefine the future of autonomous vehicles.

The excitement surrounding autonomous driving has skyrocketed, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence. As the market braces for a surge in driverless technology, leaders from Kodiak, Waabi, and Nuro are on the cusp of major breakthroughs. Burnette’s Kodiak recently deployed eight driverless trucks in the Permian Basin, transporting essential materials for hydraulic fracking. Urtasun’s Waabi is set to roll out fully autonomous trucks in partnership with Volvo by the end of this year, while Ferguson’s Nuro is gearing up to launch robotaxis with Uber in 2026.

These developments come as the industry grapples with the implications of scaling driverless technology. Burnette emphasizes that technology is no longer the bottleneck. “Everyone focuses on the technology,” he stated, adding that the pressing concerns now revolve around profitability and scaling operations. “We’re really past the point where the technology is the question mark.”

However, Ferguson acknowledges that some technical challenges persist, particularly in adapting driverless vehicles to various weather conditions, such as snow. “We have confidence that we will be able to do it,” he assured.

One of the most significant revelations from these discussions is that traditional metrics, like the number of autonomous miles driven, do not necessarily indicate a company’s readiness for full autonomy. “It has nothing to do with the advancements of the technology,” Urtasun explained, arguing that these figures merely reflect a company’s longevity in the industry. “The sample pool of autonomously driven miles for trucks is too small to make a safety case based on the number of miles driven.”

Ferguson added that the gap between supervised and fully autonomous driving is vast, stating, “Getting to the point where you’re comfortable having it drive around communities without a human is a monumental leap.” He shared insights from the early days of Google’s self-driving project, emphasizing that achieving true autonomy is a long-term endeavor.

Another hot topic is the debate over sensor technology. The choice between using lidar or a cameras-only approach has sparked considerable discussion, particularly following remarks from Elon Musk labeling lidar as an expensive crutch. Burnette calls this debate a “huge distraction,” urging the industry to focus on more pressing questions: “How do you make this economically viable? How do you build customer demand?”

Urtasun, a former proponent of the cameras-only approach, has now adopted lidar for its safety benefits. “When I founded Waabi, I abandoned that position,” she said, underscoring the importance of safety in autonomous vehicle deployment.

As the driverless tech landscape evolves, the insights from these CEOs are crucial. They highlight not only the potential of autonomy but also the challenges that lie ahead. The race is on to make driverless technology a reality on roads worldwide.

For those following the evolution of driverless technology, the coming months are set to be transformative. As these companies push forward, all eyes will be on their progress and the implications for the future of transportation.