Waymo Co-CEO Reveals Realities of Scaling Autonomous Vehicles

Inside the Self-Driving Reality Check

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana steps beyond the hype surrounding autonomous vehicles. Instead of flashy demos or overblown timelines, she’ll dissect the real landscape of self-driving mobility and what it takes to bring fully autonomous cars to the streets.

This session promises a practical deep dive into scaling AV deployments, with an emphasis on what’s working, what still needs work, and how to build trust among riders and regulators alike. No vague promises—just hard-won insights from years in the driver’s seat of Waymo.

• Validating rider safety across diverse conditions and edge cases
• Building public trust through transparent operations and clear communication
• Navigating evolving regulations at city, state, and federal levels
• Staying ahead of competition from Tesla, startups, and legacy automakers

Meet the Leader Behind the Wheel

Tekedra Mawakana brings over two decades of experience shaping global strategy for top tech firms. As co-CEO of Waymo, she guides the mission to roll out the Waymo Driver and lead the next generation of autonomous innovation.

Beyond Waymo, Mawakana sits on the Intuit board, advises aerospace innovators, and invests in social impact ventures. Her cross-industry insight gives her a unique view of how technology, policy, and public perception intersect.

What It Takes to Scale Autonomous Vehicles

Scaling a self-driving fleet is much like launching a satellite constellation: each vehicle must perform flawlessly, coordinate with others, and satisfy strict regulatory checks. From advanced sensor fusion algorithms to robust remote operations centers, the technical and operational hurdles are immense.

During her Disrupt session, Mawakana will share real-world metrics, safety benchmarks, and roadmap adjustments that keep Waymo ahead of the curve. Entrepreneurs and investors will gain a clear picture of resource allocation, timeline expectations, and partnership strategies.

Why This Matters

Autonomous vehicles are poised to reshape urban mobility, reduce traffic fatalities, and unlock new business models in logistics and ride-hailing. But without practical scaling strategies, those benefits remain on the horizon.

Whether you’re a founder mapping your go-to-market plan, an investor vetting AV startups, or a city planner crafting regulations, this session offers an indispensable reality check—and a blueprint for turning autonomy into a scalable reality.