The Driverless Digest Podcast

Harry Campbell

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

  1. Zoox’s Approach to Scaling Autonomy with Marc Wimmershoff

    MAY 11

    Zoox’s Approach to Scaling Autonomy with Marc Wimmershoff

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post on the app/web version. You can also access them from the email version by clicking here. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Marc Wimmershoff, Vice President of Autonomy Software at Zoox. Marc shares his long journey through the autonomous vehicle industry, what has kept him motivated through multiple hype cycles, and why he believes the industry is finally entering a more mature phase of real-world deployment. We also dive into Marc’s role at Zoox and how the company is approaching autonomy differently with its purpose-built robotaxi platform. Marc explains the advantages and tradeoffs of designing a vehicle specifically for autonomous driving, how Zoox is thinking about scaling operations across cities, and why their technical approach stands out compared to other players in the industry. We also discuss the company’s remote operations process, the importance of teleguidance, and what it actually takes to operate autonomous vehicles safely at scale. The conversation also explores the broader competitive landscape in autonomy, including whether there are advantages to being a later mover in the space, how the AV industry structure has evolved over the years, and where foundation models could have the biggest impact on autonomous driving in the near future. Finally, Marc shares what’s next for Zoox as the company continues expanding deployments and working toward larger scale commercialization. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Marc Wimmershoff (01:45) Marc’s background in the AV industry and what’s kept him going for so long (02:35) What phase of the AV development/hype cycle are we in right now? (03:22) How the structure of the AV industry has changed over the years (05:36) Marc’s role at Zoox, and what his team does (07:55) Marc’s advice/pitch for prospective Zoox employees (10:07) Where Zoox is at right now with scaling up (14:05) Where can you ride a Zoox? Current cities and rollout details (17:00) How Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxis give them an advantage in autonomous deployments, and the philosophy behind them (22:30) The biggest advantage of Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxi design (23:00) The challenges with Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxi design (26:54) The importance of Zoox’s remote operation process (teleguidance), and how it works (31:57) Advantages of coming second in autonomy deployments (34:24) Why Zoox’s technical approach stands out: The top-down vs. bottom-up approach (38:10) How foundation models will improve Zoox’s autonomous driving in the near future (42:30) What’s next for Marc and Zoox? (44:20) Conclusions and final thoughts Notes/Links: * You can find Marc on LinkedIn. * Leadership in Focus: Marc Wimmershoff, Vice President, Autonomy Software (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

    45 min

  2. MAY 6

    The 'Waymo on Uber' Experience, Feedback From a Power User (Ethan McKanna)

    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. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post on the app/web version. You can also access them from the email version by clicking here. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Ethan McKanna, an autonomous vehicle power user, industry observer, and the creator of Robotaxi Tracker. Ethan shares how he first got into AVs and what led him to build Robotaxi Tracker as a way to better understand and track real-world AV deployments. We also dive into why Austin has quickly become one of the most important cities for autonomous vehicle rollouts, and what the Waymo on Uber experience actually looks like from a rider’s perspective. Ethan walks through what works well today, what’s missing from the product, and how pricing and availability compare to expectations. We also explore the differences between Waymo’s partnerships with Uber in Austin and Lyft in Nashville, and whether these models are something Waymo is likely to replicate in other markets. The conversation touches on how the product could improve, and what features are still needed. Finally, we zoom out to discuss Uber’s long-term role as an AV demand aggregator, the balance of power between platforms and autonomy companies, and what’s next for Robotaxi Tracker as the space continues to evolve. Our Urban Autonomy Summit is heading to Detroit on June 9, and we’re excited to bring it to the Motor City. We’ve already brought together hundreds of operators, policymakers, and mobility leaders at past events in New York and San Francisco, and the conversations have been some of the best we’ve seen anywhere in the AV space. It’s a half-day event with panels, networking, and refreshments/light bites, all focused on what’s actually happening on the ground today with ridehailing, autonomous vehicle deployment, and urban transportation policy, and we’ll have some of the smartest operators and builders in the space joining us. You can RSVP here and if you want a preview of what it’s like, check out our highlights clip from SF. Hope to see you there! Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Ethan McKanna and how he got into AVs (04:51) The inspiration behind the creation of Robotaxi Tracker (05:39) Austin gradually becoming the epicenter of AV deployments (06:30) The Waymo on Uber user experience/partnership in Austin (09:39) Missing features in the Waymo on Uber product in Austin (11:51) The customer advantages of the Waymo on Uber product/partnership in Austin, and pricing insights (13:57) How the Waymo-Uber partnership compares to the Waymo-Lyft partnership in Nashville (15:20) Is Waymo likely to repeat their Austin partnership model with Uber in other cities? (16:05) The Waymo-Lyft partnership model in Nashville (19:17) Ways to improve the Waymo product in Austin (22:30) Uber’s future as the AV demand aggregator (27:22) Who needs who more? Uber vs. Waymo (29:40) What’s next for Robotaxi Tracker? (31:30) Conclusion and final thoughts 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 Notes/Links: * You can find Ethan on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. * Check out Robotaxi Tracker (link). * Ethan’s speech at Ride AI 2026 (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

    32 min
  3. Keep On Rolling: Electrifying, Scaling & Automating The Vehicles of Tomorrow (Curbivore 2026)

    APR 27

    Keep On Rolling: Electrifying, Scaling & Automating The Vehicles of Tomorrow (Curbivore 2026)

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post. Join panelists at the just concluded Curbivore conference as they discuss what it takes to electrify, scale, and automate the vehicles of tomorrow, and the key systems supporting autonomy as deployments expand. This panel featured Aileen Zhong (Director of Government Affairs, Starship Technologies), Will Graylin (CEO & Chairman, indiGOtech), Nick Allen (Head of AV/Mobility Solutions, TaskUs), John McLean (Head of Market Development, Voltera), and Ed Walker (Senior Vice President, Hub International), and was moderated by Lloyd Lee (Reporter, Business Insider). The conversation explores the infrastructure backbone enabling autonomy, from charging and fleet support to the human-in-the-loop systems that underpin AV safety today. It also covers key regulatory hurdles in cities, barriers to deploying sidewalk robots, and the most important metrics for early pilot programs. Panelists discuss how insurability evolves with scale, including the role of real-world versus simulated miles, how remote assistance may shift globally, and how risk and compliance frameworks change as drivers are removed. The discussion also touches on labor dynamics, the infrastructure versus scale “chicken-and-egg” challenge, public and regulatory perception, and which pieces of the ecosystem will have the biggest impact on AV growth in the coming years. Curbivore 2026 brought together leaders across autonomy, delivery, and mobility in downtown Los Angeles for a full day of panels, firesides, exhibitions, and street food, focused on the ideas shaping the future of the curb and cities. You can check out the highlights clip here to get a feel for the event, and we’ve curated recordings of the panels, firesides, and speeches here. Also check out hundreds of our event photos here. We’re bringing that same energy to our next Urban Autonomy Summit in Detroit on June 9. After that, we’ll be in Austin this fall and back in San Francisco in the winter for our next series of AV summits. Chapters (00:00) Introduction and overview (03:45) The backbone that makes autonomy work and the infrastructure layer (09:45) The human-in-the-loop layer behind AV safety (11:04) Regulatory hurdles facing autonomous vehicle deployments in cities (14:05) Barriers to deploying sidewalk robots in major cities (15:37) The most critical metrics for AV pilot deployments (19:03) Key requirements for autonomous fleets to ensure insurability at scale (22:09) How physical vs. simulated miles impact AV fleet insurability (23:23) How human-in-the-loop systems will evolve as AVs scale (25:05) Overseas remote assistance for autonomous vehicles (27:34) How risk and compliance dynamics change as drivers are removed (30:34) Balancing labor concerns with scaling autonomy (33:06) The “chicken and egg” problem of infrastructure vs. scaling (36:20) Regulator and public perception of AVs today (40:22) Which infrastructure pieces will most impact AV scaling, and how insurance may evolve - 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

    45 min
  4. Urban Autonomy in America: What’s Real & What’s Next (Curbivore 2026)

    APR 27

    Urban Autonomy in America: What’s Real & What’s Next (Curbivore 2026)

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post. Join panelists at the just concluded Curbivore conference as they discuss how autonomy has progressed over the last few years, the challenges the industry still faces, and what it will take to accelerate progress as AV services begin to scale. This panel featured Pat Tsen (Deputy Executive Director, California Public Utilities Commission), Phillip Pierce (City Policy Lead, Zoox), Jon Miller (Chief Business Officer, Nexar), Ashwini Anburajan (CEO, Obi), and Aaron Park (Chief Business Development Officer, Robotis), and was moderated by Alan Ohnsman (Senior Editor, Forbes). The conversation explores how AV deployments are evolving in real-world environments, including Zoox’s current rollout and safety approach, the regulatory and operational hurdles that remain, and how agencies like the CPUC are handling approvals and data reporting. It also covers early pricing dynamics and consumer perception, how companies like Nexar support AV safety as services scale, the growing role of autonomous robotics and emerging use cases, and how industry players can better align to standardize testing, improve edge case readiness, and support safe, scalable growth. Curbivore 2026 brought together leaders across autonomy, delivery, and mobility in downtown Los Angeles for a full day of panels, firesides, exhibitions, and street food, focused on the ideas shaping the future of the curb and cities. You can check out the highlights clip here to get a feel for the event, and we’ve curated recordings of the panels, firesides, and speeches here. Also check out hundreds of our event photos here. We’re bringing that same energy to our next Urban Autonomy Summit in Detroit on June 9. After that, we’ll be in Austin this fall and back in San Francisco in the winter for our next series of AV summits. Chapters (00:00) Introduction, and overview (06:25) Zoox’s current AV deployment position and the challenges so far (08:51) Steps to a more harmonized system of approval for robotaxis (Federal and state), and the CPUC’s place in this system (12:40) How the CPUC handles data reporting for AV companies in the testing phase, and what qualifies as an autonomous vehicle deployment (14:40) Early pricing trends, and customer perception insights in current robotaxi deployments (21:30) Zoox’s approach to safety and how they handle edge cases (24:20) How Nexar supports AV companies and their safety cases as services begin to scale (30:40) How the autonomous robotics market is developing and how their use cases are evolving. (34:58) Standardizing AV testing and validation, and how to better prepare for edge cases (42:30) Consumer perception of AVs/pricing and how it has evolved (46:20) Projections for the future of autonomy - 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

    51 min
  5. Meet Dot: DoorDash’s Accelerated Autonomous Local Commerce Solution (Curbivore 2026)

    APR 27

    Meet Dot: DoorDash’s Accelerated Autonomous Local Commerce Solution (Curbivore 2026)

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post. Join Harry and Harrison Shih, Senior Director at DoorDash Labs, DoorDash for a fireside chat from the recently concluded Curbivore conference. They dive into DoorDash’s push into autonomy, with a focus on their latest delivery robot, DOT, and how it fits into a broader shift toward multimodal delivery. The conversation covers everything from the timing behind automation to how cities, consumers, and logistics networks are evolving alongside it. They also unpack where DOT fits within DoorDash’s ecosystem, how the company collaborates with cities, and what real-world use cases are emerging today versus what’s coming next. Curbivore 2026 brought together leaders across autonomy, delivery, and mobility in downtown Los Angeles for a full day of panels, firesides, exhibitions, and street food, focused on the ideas shaping the future of the curb and cities. You can check out the highlights clip here to get a feel for the event, and we’ve curated recordings of the panels, firesides, and speeches here. Also check out hundreds of our event photos here. We’re bringing that same energy to our next Urban Autonomy Summit in Detroit on June 9. After that, we’ll be in Austin this fall and back in San Francisco in the winter for our next series of AV summits. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (00:40) Harrison’s background and the philosophy behind DoorDash Labs (02:29) DOT robot specs and design philosophy (04:00) Why now is the right moment for delivery automation (04:59) DOT’s role in a multimodal delivery ecosystem (07:10) How DoorDash works with cities to automate delivery (10:15) Problems autonomy solves in delivery (12:32) Key use cases for DOT (14:00) Consumer behavior trends in delivery (15:44) The “other half” of the delivery equation, alongside autonomy (19:37) How autonomous delivery evolves in cities over time - 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

    21 min

  6. APR 6

    DoorDash’s Autonomous Delivery Strategy with Ashu Rege

    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. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post on the app/web version. You can also access them from the email version by clicking here. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Ashu Rege, Vice President of DoorDash Labs at DoorDash. Ashu shares his journey through the autonomous vehicle industry, including roles at NVIDIA and Zoox, before leading autonomy efforts within one of the largest delivery platforms in the world. We dive into what drew him to DoorDash Labs and how the team is thinking about autonomy differently from robotaxi companies. Ashu explains the origins of DoorDash’s delivery robot DOT, the goals of the DoorDash Labs, and how their Autonomous Delivery Platform (ADP) is designed to support a wide range of delivery modalities. The conversation explores what makes autonomous delivery fundamentally different from human delivery, how mature DoorDash’s delivery solutions are today, and the different categories of autonomy DoorDash is pursuing. We also get into the economics of autonomous delivery and the unique problems autonomy is best suited to solve in delivery. Ashu breaks down how DOT operates in the real world, including its limitations and where it stands out the most. Finally, we look ahead to what’s next for DoorDash and DoorDash Labs’ autonomy efforts over the coming year, including how the company is balancing partnerships with in‑house development. DoorDash will also be bringing a DOT delivery vehicle to our flagship Curbivore conference on April 17 in Downtown LA, and we’ll have Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs, joining me for a fireside chat. Join industry experts across autonomy, mobility, and delivery for a can’t-miss gathering shaping the future of curbside commerce. Register now and use the code Autonomy25 to save an extra 25%. Chapters * (00:00) Introduction to Ashu Rege * (02:47) Ashu’s background in the AV industry (Nvidia, Zoox, and DoorDash). * (04:30) What excited Ashu about joining DoorDash Labs, and its autonomy goals. * (05:43) The story behind the creation of DOT and its perks * (08:23) The goal of DoorDash Labs and what they do * (09:18) DoorDash Labs’ Autonomous Delivery Platform (ADP) explained. * (10:34) One key difference between an autonomous delivery solution and a human. * (11:52) How commercially mature are DoorDash’s autonomous delivery solutions? * (12:54) DoorDash’s autonomous delivery categories, and how they compare to each other. * (14:29) Why is now the right time to scale autonomy in delivery, and how autonomous delivery differs from robotaxis. * (18:30) How DoorDash approaches the balance between partnering and building autonomous delivery solutions in-house. * (23:31) How autonomous deliveries compare to human deliveries in cost, and the unique problem autonomous deliveries solve. * (25:20) How autonomous deliveries work using DOT, its limitations, and where it stands out. * (35:11) What to expect from DoorDash and DoorDash Labs over the next year in autonomy. * (36:52) Conclusions and final thoughts 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 Notes/Links: * You can find Ashu on LinkedIn. * DOT is DoorDash’s first in-house autonomous delivery robot. You can find more info about it here (link). * DoorDash Labs is DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm. You can find more info about them on their website (link). * Open roles at DoorDash Labs (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

    38 min
  7. The Humans Powering Autonomous Vehicle Operations (Omar Zoubi, TaskUs)

    MAR 30

    The Humans Powering Autonomous Vehicle Operations (Omar Zoubi, TaskUs)

    Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post on the app/web version. You can also access them from the email version by clicking here. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Omar Zoubi, VP of Autonomous Mobility & Rideshare Network Strategy at TaskUs. Omar breaks down how TaskUs supports autonomous vehicle operators behind the scenes, from remote assistance to handling edge cases that today’s AI systems still struggle to navigate. We get into TaskUs’ role across the AV ecosystem, including who they partner with and how their human-in-the-loop model helps fleets operate safely and scale more efficiently. Omar explains the types of real-world scenarios where AVs need intervention, how those interventions feed back into improving AI systems, and what it takes to support different types of fleets with varying operational needs. The conversation also covers the current stage of the AV industry, including how companies like Waymo are approaching remote assistance and safety, and what challenges emerge as fleets grow. We discuss operational complexity, cost structures, and how companies think about cost per mile as they move toward commercialization. Finally, Omar shares his perspective on where TaskUs adds the most value today, how the human-in-the-loop model will evolve over time, and what the future of the AV industry looks like as autonomy matures. Chapters * (00:00) Introduction to Omar Zoubi and TaskUs * (03:19) TaskUs’ domain of operation * (03:30) TaskUs’ AV business model, and their partners * (04:43) What services does TaskUs provide to its AV clients? * (06:10) How does TaskUs’ assistance in edge cases help AV clients improve their AI? * (07:53) Common scenarios where AV companies might need remote assistance, and how TaskUs helps. * (09:30) Differences between supporting different AV fleets * (10:41) How Omar thinks about Waymo’s remote assistance and safety * (12:40) What stage of the AV industry are we in? * (14:19) Biggest operational challenges as AV fleets start to scale * (15:46) Common traits across operators and companies in the AV industry * (17:00) How the human-in-the-loop model will evolve as AVs mature * (19:05) How do you plan for unpredictable scenarios, like the recent SF blackout? * (21:38) How AV operational costs are distributed and cost per mile * (23:10) Where does TaskUs offer the biggest value or opportunity for AV companies? * (24:00) What does the future of the AV industry look like? * (25:43) Conclusions and final thoughts Notes/Links: * You can find Omar Zoubi on Linkedin. * TaskUs website (link). * Learn how TaskUs supports AV operations in their case study (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

    26 min

  8. MAR 23

    How the CPUC Handles AV Permits, Data, and Enforcement (Pat Tsen)

    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. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post. In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Shao (Pat) Tsen, Deputy Executive Director for Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). We start with an overview of the CPUC and Pat’s role in it. We also break down the split between the CPUC and DMV, clarifying who regulates what, and what companies actually need to do to launch an autonomous vehicle service in California, including the different permit types required along the way. Pat explains the CPUC’s technology-agnostic approach to AV regulation, and why Tesla’s current robotaxi deployment isn’t considered an autonomous vehicle service under CPUC jurisdiction. We then dig into what it really takes to secure an AV permit, and whether the approval process is more subjective or objective in practice. The conversation also covers enforcement, reporting, and data collection requirements for AV companies, including new stoppage event reporting rules and what data is ultimately made public. We also get into how the CPUC approaches transparency, accountability, and the balance between innovation and public safety—and where its regulatory oversight starts to reach its limits. Chapters * (00:00) Introduction to Shao (Pat) Tsen * (03:34) Introduction to the CPUC and their areas of regulation * (05:03) Pat’s role at the CPUC * (08:37) CPUC vs DMV: Who Regulates What? * (10:54) Steps to launching an autonomous vehicle service in California—and the different types of permits * (14:05) The CPUC’s technology-agnostic role in AV regulation * (15:05) Why Tesla’s robotaxi isn’t considered an autonomous vehicle service in California * (18:35) What it takes to get an AV permit from the CPUC * (21:35) Is the CPUC’s AV permit approval process more subjective or objective? * (24:55) Enforcement, reporting, and data collection for AV companies under the CPUC’s jurisdiction * (30:21) What autonomous vehicle companies currently have to report to the CPUC, including new stoppage event requirements * (32:45) What AV company data is made publicly available? * (37:10) How the CPUC handles new edge cases and teleoperations * (41:44) Limits of the CPUC’s oversight * (43:00) Conclusions and final thoughts 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 Notes/Links: * You can find Pat on Linkedin. * Relevant links for the CPUC’s AV program * Decision and resolution numbers which set rules or approved new authority to operate * D.18-05-043 aka the “Pilot Decision,” created the AV Pilot program and set requirements for participants * D.20-11-046 as modified by D.21-05-017 aka the “Deployment Decision,” created AV Deployment program and set the requirements for participants * D.24-11-002 aka the AV Data Decision, expanded AV data reporting requirements including incident reporting and “stoppage event” reporting * R.-25-08-013 (OIR opened August 2025) – the new AV rulemaking to update policies/processes/rules for AV passenger transportation * General Order (GO) 157-E: TCP Regulations * Resolutions: * Resolution TL-19144 (2023) – approved Waymo for Phase I Driverless AV Passenger Service Deployment * Resolution TL-19145 (2023) – approved Cruise (Phase 1 driverless deployment authorization) * AV Program Quarterly Reporting (link). * To file a complaint, you can fill out this form Passenger complaint form and email to consumer-affairs@cpuc.ca.gov * To submit a public comment in the ongoing AV rulemaking, as mentioned at the 41:25 timestamp, you can access the public comment tab here R2508013 -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

    43 min
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4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

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

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