The Driverless Digest Podcast

Harry Campbell

Covering the intersection of autonomy x rideshare, and the business of AVs. www.thedriverlessdigest.com

  1. Charging the Fleets of the Future with Neha Palmer

    1 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    Charging the Fleets of the Future with Neha Palmer

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Neha Palmer, CEO and Co-founder of Terawatt, one of the leading providers of charging infrastructure for AV/EV fleets. Neha talks about her journey in the energy industry, highlighting her background leading global energy strategy at Google. She explains Terawatt’s focus on providing AV/EV charging solutions and the motivation behind her founding the company. We discuss the unique process and intricacies of building and launching charging sites suitable for AV/EV fleets of varying sizes, and the technical/logistical requirements of these sites. We also touch on how Terawatt uses their data to work with fleet owners to ensure they get the best utilization for their vehicles while maintaining access to charging sites with excellent uptimes. We also discuss their biggest challenges with customers, charging requirements for fleets and other services offered at their charging sites. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Neha Palmer (01:33) Neha’s background at Google (02:31) Introduction to Terawatt, and how they help AV/EV fleets (04:55) The challenges of providing AV/EV fleet charging solutions (05:53) The impetus behind behind Neha founding Terawatt (06:57) The benefits of renewable energy for fleets (08:48) What industries does Terawatt focus on? and their footprint (10:10) How Terawatt got their first AV customer (11:31) What it takes to build and launch a charging site (12:35) How many sites does Terawatt have currently (14:03) The optimal locations for building charging sites (17:05) Hardware/power requirements for charging sites and how they evolve (19:40) How fast do vehicles charge at Terawatt’s charging sites (21:22) How Terawatt works with partners to design operating domains, and the data involved (23:28) How time of use works for AV/EV fleet charging (26:16) The EV to AV transitions, and how it has affected Terawatt’s business (28:20) Quantitative charging requirements for fleets (30:10) Biggest challenges experienced with new customers (32:00) What other services does Terawatt offer at their charging sites (33:30) Fully autonomous charging (35:30) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Notes/Links: * Link to Neha’s previous webinar appearance on Ride AI - Ride AI x Terawatt Webinar 7/1/25 - Harry Thanks for being a subscriber to The Driverless Digest! If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it with someone who might like it too. And if this email was forwarded to you, why not subscribe and stick around :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    37 phút

  2. 25 THG 8

    Breaking Down the Cost of a Waymo Zeekr With Chris Paxton

    This week’s podcast is brought to you by Terawatt – purpose-built charging for autonomous vehicle fleets. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Chris Paxton, author of It Can Think!, and a roboticist who's worked all across the industry (Zoox, Nvidia, Meta etc). He’s currently leading AI innovation at Agility Robotics, developing intelligent and useful humanoid robots. Chris talks about his career journey, provides an insightful analysis of Waymo's autonomous vehicle advancements, comparing them with Tesla's approach, and gives a full break down of the cost components of Waymo's Zeekr vehicle. Our discussion also touches on industry challenges, such as hardware sourcing, sensor integration, and compute requirements, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future directions of robotics and autonomous vehicles. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Chris Paxton (01:58) What got Chris interested in robotics (02:50) The inspiration behind Chris Paxton’s post about the Waymo Zeekr (04:59) Details on the Waymo Zeekr – Cost, specs, assembly etc (09:27) Chinese EV tariffs vs. the Waymo Zeekr (12:03) Sensor costs and how they affect AV production (13:20) What compute means and the chips behind our robotaxis (14:59) How compute works in making autonomy a reality (16:15) How is all of the gathered data integrated into the generalized driver? (17:20) What is integration cost in robotaxi production? (20:30) What areas of robotaxi production have the most room for cost reduction? (22:28) How Waymo’s Zeekr robotaxis stack against their Jaguar I-PACE robotaxis (25:18) How the costs of AV parts have changed over the years (26:26) Thoughts on Tesla’s camera-only approach vs Lidar (28:31) Downsides to having too much Hardware (30:37) The highway operation challenge (31:36) Waymo vs Tesla’s approach (34:35) Insights on other AV companies (36:09) Differences between the AV 1.0 and AV 2.0 approach (39:49) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Notes/Links Link to Chris Paxton’s post about the Waymo Zeekr mentioned at (04:28) - The First Mass-Produced Robotaxi Is Here Designing Charging Hubs for Autonomous Fleets We are excited to partner with Terawatt, one of the leading providers of charging infrastructure. To learn more about Terawatt's network of AV charging hubs and track record of 99%+ uptime, reach out to Logan Szidik at lszidik@terawattinfrastructure.com - Harry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    40 phút
  3. Investing in the Future of Mobility with Ross Gerber

    18 THG 8

    Investing in the Future of Mobility with Ross Gerber

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Ross Gerber, co-founder and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, a Los Angeles-based investment firm managing over $1.5 billion in assets. Ross, a longtime Tesla investor and frequent media guest on outlets like CNBC, shares his insights into the future of mobility, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs), ridehailing services, and autonomous vehicles (AVs). He talks about his investment interests, and some lessons from the early days of ridesharing. Ross also discusses the current ridesharing TAM and the position of autonomous vehicle providers like Waymo in the current market. We touch on the Tesla robotaxi rollout and his thoughts on their vision only approach, against the multiple sensor approach of other players, and Uber’s position in a fragmented AV market. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Ross Gerber (01:15) Ross’ investment interests, and the future of mobility. (03:25) Background on Gerber Kawasaki (05:12) Lessons from the early days of ridesharing (09:27) Thoughts on the intersection of rideshare and autonomy (12:37) Why a 100% robotaxi world is not feasible (15:00) Waymo vs Uber (18:35) What it’d take for Waymo to surpass Uber and Lyft’s market share (21:56) Robotaxi limitations for older riders (23:27) What is the investment potential in Waymo? And advertising opportunities (27:43) Thoughts on Tesla’s robotaxi rollout (33:00) Camera only vs multiple sensor approach (34:10) Who benefits most from a fragmented AV market? (35:08) How solid Uber’s AV platform approach is (39:25) Ross’ insights on the current ridesharing Total Addressable Market (TAM) (41:36) Conclusion and Final Thoughts - Harry Thanks for being a subscriber to The Driverless Digest! If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it with someone who might like it too. And if this email was forwarded to you, why not subscribe and stick around :) You can also support us through these means: * Sponsor The Driverless Digest, the newsletter that covers the intersection of rideshare and autonomy, and the business of AVs. Read by 2,000+ engaged readers, including AV enthusiasts, executives, and industry professionals * We have packages that include podcast appearances, job listings and more! * Send us ideas or tips: Got a story idea, suggestion, or something we should dig into? We’re all ears. Reply or reach out to Harry@therideshareguy.com to learn more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    42 phút
  4. Inside the Nuro–Lucid–Uber Partnership with Andrew Chapin

    4 THG 8

    Inside the Nuro–Lucid–Uber Partnership with Andrew Chapin

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Andrew Chapin, Chief Operating Officer at Nuro, a leading self-driving technology company. Andrew was also among the earliest employees at Uber, rising to lead their global vehicle programs and partnerships, so it was cool to hear about this partnership coming full circle for him. We discuss Nuro’s history and recent pivot from purpose built delivery vehicles into licensing their autonomous technology for robotaxis and personally owned autonomous vehicles. We also spent a lot of time covering their recent partnership with Uber and Lucid to equip 20,000 Lucid Gravity’s with the Nuro driver, for deployment on the Uber network. We also dive into the differences between the AV 1.0 and AV 2.0 models, Nuro's AI-first approach, the complexities of integrating self-driving technologies into vehicles, and the future of autonomy in both ride-share and delivery services Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Andrew Chapin and Nuro (02:13) Overview of Nuro and how their focus has changed over the years (05:05) The difference between AV 1.0 vs AV 2.0 (07:18) Challenges in developing and deploying AVs (08:48) The main advantage of the Nuro–Lucid–Uber partnership. (09:36) Details of the current Nuro product — The Nuro Driver (10:35) What the Nuro-Lucid robotaxi would look like (12:24) How the Nuro Driver will complement the Lucid Gravity (14:20) Cost of Integrating the Nuro Hardware and the Scalability of their approach (17:57) Nuro’s past products and driverless deployments (24:01) Behind the Scenes of the Nuro–Lucid–Uber Partnership (26:27) Why did Uber choose Nuro (28:12) The Nuro Driver’s safety case (31:42) Uber’s role in the Nuro–Lucid–Uber Partnership (34:54) Nuro’s vision for the future of autonomy (36:30) The most popular and possible use cases for autonomy (42:10) Conclusion and final thoughts - Harry Thanks for being a subscriber to The Driverless Digest! If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it with someone who might like it too. And if this email was forwarded to you, why not subscribe and stick around :) You can also support us through these means: * Sponsor The Driverless Digest, the newsletter that covers the intersection of rideshare and autonomy, and the business of AVs. Read by 2,000+ engaged readers, including AV enthusiasts, executives, and industry professionals * We have packages that include podcast appearances, job listings and more! * Send us ideas or tips: Got a story idea, suggestion, or something we should dig into? We’re all ears. Reply or reach out to Harry@therideshareguy.com to learn more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    43 phút
  5. The Impact of Autonomous Vehicles on Real Estate with Brad Hargreaves

    29 THG 7

    The Impact of Autonomous Vehicles on Real Estate with Brad Hargreaves

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today's episode, I’m speaking with Brad Hargreaves, editor of Thesis Driven, a top Substack publication covering innovation in the built world. He is also the co-founder of General Assembly and Common, a multifamily operating company focused on innovative housing typologies like co-living. Brad lays out an eloquent case for the upcoming transformations in real estate driven by autonomous vehicles (AVs). We discuss the anticipated decline of gas stations and urban parking garages, the rise of exurban living as AVs make commutes less painful, and the potential redesigns of AV interiors for enhanced commuting experiences. We also dive into the impact of elevated interest rates on real estate investment, the growing demand for industrial properties and data centers, and the importance of city regulations in accommodating AVs. Brad shares his insights on the broader implications of these trends and suggests investment strategies for the future. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Brad Hargreaves (01:19) What is Thesis Driven? And the motivation behind it (03:55) The current state of the real estate market in 2025 (06:50) Why now is the right time for real estate investors to pay attention to AVs (09:30) The role of geography in real estate investors’ perception of AVs (11:00) Where would autonomous vehicles have the most impact in real estate? (13:17) What are the options for real estate investors in the era of AVs? (15:15) Future assumptions about AVs and their potential impact on real estate (18:03) Public space and safety concerns with AVs (20:47) How AVs could change where people choose to live, and its role in suburbanization (24:54) The cost of AVs and how it compares to traditional rideshare (27:40) Current trends in real estate and commute (29:42) How AVs could evolve ergonomically to favor long commutes (31:30) How AVs could change the concept of weekend trips (33:52) Some real estate investment opportunities in the era of AVs (37:00) Surprising real estate outcomes that could arise from AV adoption (40:00) Conclusion and final thoughts Notes/Links: * Link to Brad’s article and tweet mentioned at (6:54) - Autonomous Vehicles Are Finally Here. Now What? - Tweet - Harry Thanks for being a subscriber to The Driverless Digest! If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it with someone who might like it too. And if this email was forwarded to you, why not subscribe and stick around :) You can also support us by: * Sponsoring The Driverless Digest, the newsletter that covers the intersection of rideshare and autonomy, and the business of AVs. Read by 2,000+ engaged readers, including AV enthusiasts, executives, and industry professionals * Send us ideas or tips: Got a story idea, suggestion, or something we should dig into? We’re all ears. Reply or reach out to Harry@therideshareguy.com to learn more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    41 phút
  6. AV 2.0: How Wayve is Building Scalable, Mapless and End to End AI (Alex Kendall)

    21 THG 7

    AV 2.0: How Wayve is Building Scalable, Mapless and End to End AI (Alex Kendall)

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today's episode, I’m speaking with Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve, a leading AI company in the autonomous driving space. Founded in 2017, Wayve focuses on creating a general-purpose driving intelligence through an end-to-end AI model that can drive any vehicle anywhere without relying on pre-mapping. Alex talks about his journey from award-winning research at Cambridge to pioneering Wayve’s innovative technology, the global reach of their autonomous fleet over the past three months, and partnerships with major OEMs and Uber. We also go into the scalability of their software, the integration with different hardware and sensor architectures, and the diverse applications in both consumer and shared fleet markets. Alex emphasizes the technology’s ability to handle complex driving scenarios and shares his vision for the future of autonomous mobility. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Alex Kendall and Wayve (01:17) Alex’s/Wayve’s accomplishments and milestones so far (02:29) How does Wayve's AI work? (03:35) Why they chose the end-to-end AI driver model (05:05) Alex’s thoughts on the current AV landscape (06:52) Hardware on the Wayve AVs (08:20) What takes priority, hardware or maps? (09:50) Insights into the future of AV hardware (13:06) Importance of user data in AV deployment (14:08) Wayve’s vs Tesla’s approach (15:37) How is the Wayve end-to-end AI model more scalable than others? (17:30) Wayve’s software compatibility with OEM vehicle hardware (23:11) Insights on Wayve’s partnership with Uber (28:29) Personally owned autonomous vehicles vs shared fleet (rideshare) (30:34) Conclusion and Final Thoughts - Harry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    31 phút
  7. Inside Apollo Go’s Global Robotaxi Strategy with Helen Pan

    14 THG 7

    Inside Apollo Go’s Global Robotaxi Strategy with Helen Pan

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In today’s episode, I am speaking with Helen K. Pan, General Manager of Apollo Autonomous Driving USA, Baidu's Self-Driving Division. We talk about Helen’s journey since joining Baidu's Intelligent Driving Group in 2017, and get an inside look at Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service. She discusses the technology, safety measures, and cost efficiency of Apollo Go's latest generation vehicle, the RT6, which operates in multiple cities globally and costs just $30,000. We also discuss the dynamics of the Chinese AV market, the company’s global expansion plans, and the unique passenger-centric design of Apollo Go's fleet. We also got into regulatory challenges, market potential, the tech behind their robotaxis, and their current partnership and collaboration efforts. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Helen K. Pan (01:47) Background on Baidu and Apollo Go (03:35) Apollo Go operational cities, fleet size and achievements (08:07) Current landscape of the Chinese autonomous vehicle market (09:50) Robotaxi market growth potential in China vs. USA (11:30) Apollo Go ride concentration in operational domains, and comparisons (14:10) How is the user experience and public reception in China? (18:45) Apollo Go safety and insurance data (19:57) Apollo Go superior passenger experience and passenger-centric design (23:48) Insights on Apollo Go robotaxis’ passenger-centric design and cost efficiency. (26:27) Manufacturing and development timelines for Apollo robotaxis (28:16) Apollo robotaxi sensor stack and future price outlook (30:38) Global expansion plans and market opportunities (34:14) US expansion plans (35:37) Innovations with partners and future collaboration (37:09) Main challenges faced by Apollo Go (39:57) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Notes/Links: * Link to Sophia Tung’s robotaxi video mentioned at (22:01) - I was wrong about Chinese robotaxis... (24h riding ONLY Apollo Go) - Harry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    40 phút
  8. Jon McNeill on Why AVs Could Crush Uber and Lyft

    7 THG 7

    Jon McNeill on Why AVs Could Crush Uber and Lyft

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. In this episode, I chat with Jon McNeill, a veteran entrepreneur, investor, and industry executive. Prior to his current CEO and co-founder role at DVx Ventures, Jon was President at Tesla and COO at Lyft. We talk about Jon's background, the recent Tesla robotaxi launch, and Tesla’s approach to autonomy, especially compared to other top players like Waymo. We also discuss the potential market shifts due to autonomous vehicles (AVs) and the impacts on Uber and Lyft. Jon shares insights on hardware and software developments, market sizes, media misunderstandings about Tesla, and future trends in the AV space. We close the conversation with a discussion on investment opportunities in the AV sector and Jon’s role at DVX Ventures. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Jon McNeill (01:30) First impressions and thoughts on the Tesla robotaxi rollout (02:50) Jon’s experience at Tesla, and how it might play into autonomy (05:00) Thoughts on the media coverage and market perception of Tesla (07:28) How does Tesla compare to Waymo’s hardware and software? (13:34) Thoughts on robotaxi scalability and market impact for Tesla vs Waymo (17:35) What do you think of Uber and Lyft’s position in the AV space? (19:43) Waymo's impact on rideshare in San Francisco? (20:17) Consumer comfort in autonomous vehicles (20:47) Uber and Lyft’s strategic moves to stay in the game (21:08) Rideshare demand and supply dynamics with autonomous vehicles (22:37) Future market predictions for Uber and Lyft (23:09) Does Waymo need Uber more than Uber needs Waymo? (28:04) How Does Waymo solve the utilization problem without Uber (29:57) How autonomy fits into DVx Ventures business (33:30) Current untapped opportunities in the AV/Autonomy space for entrepreneurs and Founders (35:19) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Notes/Links: * RSG093: Why Lyft COO Jon McNeill is All About The Drivers! (link). - Harry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

    36 phút
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Covering the intersection of autonomy x rideshare, and the business of AVs. www.thedriverlessdigest.com

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  • Nhà sáng tạo
    Harry Campbell
  • Năm hoạt động
    2 N
  • Tập
    13
  • Xếp hạng
    Sạch
  • Bản quyền
    © Harry Campbell
  • Trang web chương trình
    The Driverless Digest Podcast

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