Waymo’s Tekedra Mawakana on Scaling Self-Driving Beyond the Hype

Tekedra Mawakana, the co-CEO of Waymo, discussed the challenges of scaling self-driving technology at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference. Mawakana acknowledged the hype surrounding autonomous vehicles but emphasized the need to address safety, regulatory, and technical hurdles before widespread deployment. She highlighted Waymo's focus on safety, noting the company's rigorous testing and validation processes. Mawakana also discussed the importance of working with policymakers to establish clear regulations for autonomous vehicles, ensuring public trust and responsible development. While acknowledging the progress made in the field, Mawakana cautioned against unrealistic timelines, stressing the complexity of the technology and the need for a gradual, methodical approach to scaling self-driving capabilities. She emphasized Waymo's commitment to developing safe and reliable autonomous systems that can positively impact communities. The article provides a balanced perspective on the realities of scaling self-driving technology, moving beyond the hype and focusing on the practical challenges that companies like Waymo are navigating.