URGENT UPDATE: Three leading CEOs in driverless technology—Don Burnette, Raquel Urtasun, and Dave Ferguson—have just shared groundbreaking insights that challenge conventional wisdom on self-driving vehicles. Speaking to Business Insider, the CEOs, who collectively have nearly five decades of experience, emphasize that the future of autonomous driving is not just about technology—it’s about profitability and scaling operations.
Don Burnette, CEO of Kodiak, confirmed that his company has currently deployed eight driverless trucks in the Permian Basin, transporting sand for hydraulic fracking. Meanwhile, Raquel Urtasun, founder of Waabi, plans to introduce fully autonomous trucks in partnership with Volvo by the end of this year. Dave Ferguson, co-CEO of Nuro, is gearing up to compete with major players like Waymo by launching robotaxis with Uber in 2026.
The AI frenzy surrounding autonomous driving is at an all-time high, prompting a critical reevaluation of what we think we know about driverless technology. All three CEOs agree that the prevailing focus on technical challenges is outdated; the real questions now revolve around achieving profitability and scaling operations effectively. “Everyone focuses on the technology. But we’re really past the point where the technology is the question mark,” Burnette stated.
In a striking revelation, Urtasun pointed out that the commonly cited metric of miles driven is misleading. “It has nothing to do with the advancements of the technology,” she explained. The safety claims based on mileage are insufficient, particularly when considering that the fatality rate for large truck drivers is 1.3 fatal crashes per 100 million miles. In contrast, there have been no fatalities involving autonomous trucks, although collisions have occurred. Urtasun insists that the current data set is too small to make a valid safety comparison.
Ferguson added that transitioning from supervised self-driving to fully autonomous systems is a monumental leap. He noted that while advanced assisted-driving technologies exist, the gap between Level 2 and Level 4 autonomy remains significant. “Even if the underlying AI is quite similar, hardening that system for safe community driving is a monumental leap,” he remarked.
The ongoing debate about the necessity of different sensors—such as lidar and cameras—has been labeled a distraction by the CEOs. Ferguson emphasized that the focus should be on cost-effectiveness and safety rather than sensor preferences. “If adding lidar increases safety significantly, why wouldn’t you do that?” he questioned.
As these leaders push the boundaries of what is possible with driverless technology, the implications for the transportation industry are profound. The move towards scaling operations could redefine logistics and urban mobility, making these insights not only timely but crucial for stakeholders in the sector.
Stay tuned for further developments as these pioneering companies strive to reshape the future of transportation. The journey towards autonomy is just beginning, and every milestone counts.