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What It Would Take for Waymo to Launch in New York City (Podcast)
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. We now have transcripts available too (Click on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post to access them).In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Dawood Mian, a long time NYC fleet owner, and founder of AutoMarketplace, the largest content platform focused exclusively on New York city’s TLC market. We get into what makes the NYC TLC ecosystem unlike any other market in the country — from the regulatory framework and driver pay rules to the insurance realities. And why it’s such an important market for ridehail players like Uber and Waymo. Dawood breaks down how the market has evolved over the past years, the origin of lockouts, and how the economics of operating a rideshare fleet in New York differ dramatically from the rest of the U.S.Dawood also walks through the details of running a rideshare fleet in NYC: managing insurance costs, sourcing and maintaining vehicles, plate values, and the operational challenges for future AV fleets, like finding real estate for parking, staging, and maintenance.We also explore what it would take for a robotaxi operator like Waymo to launch in NYC — the regulatory steps, business barriers, and technical constraints that make New York one of the toughest markets for AV deployment. Dawood shares what he sees coming next for mobility in the city, and how both human-driven and future autonomous fleets may coexist in such a dense, tightly managed market.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Dawood Mian(01:30) What makes the NYC TLC market unique(04:40) Why is insurance different for rideshare in NYC?(07:20) How the NYC rideshare/taxi market has evolved(09:50) NYC’s driver pay model, and the origin of lockouts(13:19) How the rideshare rental business works in NYC(16:30) Dawood’s fleet and business strategy(19:51) Insurance in NYC’s rideshare fleet business(22:57) Cost of an NYC TLC plate, and transferability(24:47) The mechanics of Waymo’s entry into the NYC ridehail market(30:00) Business and regulatory barriers to Waymo’s entry into New York city(36:35) The future of AVs in NYC(37:07) Are there technical/additional constraints to the operation of AVs in NYC?(39:50) Real estate challenges for fleet operators in NYC(43:55) Key NYC mobility issues to watch(46:26) Conclusion and final thoughtsNotes/Links:Check out Dawood’s website (AutoMarketplace), and you can follow his newsletter for the latest in NYC’s TLC market (link).- HarryThanks 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
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47:32
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47:32
Inside Bot Auto’s Driverless Trucking Milestone with CEO Xiaodi Hou
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. We now have transcripts available too (Click on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post to access them).In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Xiaodi Hou, founder and CEO of Bot Auto, a company making big strides in autonomous trucking. Most recently, they completed their first human-less autonomous truck validation run — a major milestone in the push toward fully driver-out operations.We talk about Xiaodi’s journey before founding Bot Auto, how the autonomous vehicle landscape has evolved over the years, his perspective on whether autonomous driving has truly been “solved,” and the key milestones Bot Auto has hit on its road to commercialization. Xiaodi also dives into the cost savings from driver-out operations, and the unique economics of running a driverless fleet. We unpack how Bot Auto is able to achieve multiple operational milestones with relatively small capital and what it’ll take to boost revenue beyond their cost per mile.We also discuss the business side of autonomy — from Bot Auto’s model and approach to optimizing costs, to balancing cutting-edge technology with the realities of operations and customer acquisition. Xiaodi explains why Bot Auto doesn’t see itself as competing against human drivers, but rather solving the industry’s biggest pain points and creating value where it’s needed most.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Xiaodi Hou(01:40) Background on Bot Auto(02:27) Xiaodi’s background and early ventures before Bot Auto(04:03) The early days of AV development vs now(06:15) Has autonomous driving been solved?(08:05) Key milestones in the commercialization of autonomous driving at Bot Auto(10:20) Cost savings from driver-out operations in autonomous trucking(13:50) Broad insights into the trucking industry (15:25) How autonomous trucks solve human/time factor limitations in trucking(17:10) Bot Auto’s business model(19:06) Optimizing the cost of autonomous trucking(24:40) Bot Auto’s human-less validation run, and its significance(28:35) How were you able to achieve multiple operational milestones with relatively small capital?(31:32) What would it take for Bot Auto to make money, and increase revenue over cost-per -mile?(32:53) How to balance the technology and business operations(34:33) Customer acquisition in autonomous trucking(35:55) Why does Bot Auto not compete against Humans? and their value proposition(37:45) How does highway driving compare to urban driving for autonomous trucks vs robotaxis?(41:25) Conclusion and final thoughtsNotes/Links:Bot Auto’s first human-less autonomous truck validation run* Full timelapse (link).* Article: Bot Auto Completes Human-Less Hub-To-Hub Validation Run In Texas (link, no paywall).- HarryThanks 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
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42:13
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42:13
Preparing Fleets and Streets for Responsible Operations (Urban Autonomy Summit NYC)
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. We now have transcripts available too (Click on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post to access them).Join panelists at the just concluded Urban Autonomy Summit at Newlab in Brooklyn as they discuss how cities, fleets, and regulators can work together to ensure AVs are deployed safely and responsibly. The panel featured Zach Greenberger (CEO, Nexar), Sarah Kaufman (Commissioner, NYC TLC), Jeremy Moskowitz (EVP Rideshare, VGM), and Aparna Paladugu (VP Policy & Government Affairs, Via), moderated by Andrew Hawkins, Transportation Editor at The Verge.The conversation explores when robotaxis might realistically arrive in New York, how cities can balance safety and job security as AVs scale, and what kinds of data are most important in the AV deployment journey. The panelists also touch on policy pointers for the next NYC mayoral administration, the growing role of computer vision in rideshare and AV operations, and how partnerships between AV companies and public transit can support safer, more efficient streets.They dive into questions around liability, fleet management, and public trust, and discuss how equitable robotaxi distribution could shape the future of mobility in New York and beyond.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to panelists(00:44) When are robotaxis coming to New York?(03:08) How to bridge the gap between safety and job security in AV deployment(05:28) What kind of data is important in the AV deployment journey?(10:36) Pointers for the next NYC mayoral administration on AV deployment(13:38) Partnerships between AV companies and public transit(18:44) Importance of computer vision is AV deployment and rideshare(22:26) Questions around safety, fleet management, and liability as AVs begin to scale?(26:57) How to build public trust around robotaxi/rideshare data collection/sharing(33:25) How can robotaxis distribution be more equitable?(38:20) Conclusion and final thoughts- HarryThanks 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
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38:45
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38:45
AVs’ Coming Impact on Existing Fleets & Driver Earnings (Urban Autonomy Summit NYC)
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. We now have transcripts available too (Click on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post to access them).Join panelists, at the just concluded Urban Autonomy Summit at Newlab in Brooklyn as they dissect the impact the impact of AVs to existing fleets and driver earnings. The panel featured Ashwini Anburajan (CEO, Obi), Ryan Green (CEO, Gridwise), Daniel Muñoz (Co-Founder & COO, Tower Mobility), and Yariel Diaz (Director of Government Affairs, Serve Robotics), moderated by Natalie Lung, Tech Reporter at Bloomberg.The conversation explores how AVs are already affecting drivers’ earnings, how drivers and fleets are adapting, and where delivery bots fit into the mix. The panelists also touch on the kinds of new jobs AV deployment could create for humans — from fleet management to remote operations etc. They dive into AV ride pricing dynamics, the importance of pricing transparency for riders and drivers alike, and what the near future could look like for the gig economy.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to panelists(01:30) How AVs are affecting driver earnings(04:19) How are drivers adapting to AVs?(06:09) How has fleet management been affected by AVs?(08:34) The role of delivery robots in AV deployment(10:18) AV pricing dynamics for riders(14:23) Importance of rideshare pricing transparency(15:24) What jobs will AVs create for humans?(21:43) How is trust from drivers in existing fleets and AV partners maintained?(29:14) Data sharing between fleets and rideshare/AV companies(30:30) How do you improve utilization with additional AV deployment?(31:40) Mitigating adverse weather conditions for delivery robots- HarryThanks 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
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33:16
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33:16
David Zipper on AVs, Congestion, and the Future of Cities
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. We now have transcripts available too (Click on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post to access them).In today’s episode, I’m speaking with David Zipper, a Senior Fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative known for his writing on transportation policy, technology, and urban planning. He often writes about the impacts of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on cities, emphasizing concerns about increased congestion, safety risks from “car bloat”, and the potential for AVs to undermine public transit.We discuss the evolution of the ridehail industry and its broader impact on cities and mobility. David shares his perspective on the early days of autonomous vehicles, highlighting both their promise and the risks they pose — particularly around congestion and the potential to draw riders away from public transit.He breaks down why cheaper AV rides could worsen traffic, the role that policy tools like bus rapid transit, congestion pricing, and deadheading fees could play in addressing it, and whether robotaxis can meaningfully improve road safety. We also touch on the shared responsibilities of governments and AV companies, potential synergies between AVs and transit, and how cities can better design pickup and drop-off zones to serve riders, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to David Zipper(02:29) David’s new transportation podcast(03:39) Overall view of the ridehail industry and its impact on society(07:30) How do you feel about AVs at this early stage?(09:34) The biggest potential negative impact of AVs (Congestion)(11:45) Should ridehail be blamed for congestion in cities?(15:20) How price reduction in AVs could potentially affect congestion(17:14) What are the solutions to congestion in the advent of AVs?(24:11) Can robotaxis reduce road fatalities?(30:40) The role of Government and AV companies in road safety(31:01) AVs vs Public Transit(34:24) Possible synergies between AVs and Transit(37:13) Improving pickup and drop-off points for ridehail/AVs(39:30) Cyclists and Pedestrians in the Age of AVs(43:00) Conclusion and final thoughtsNotes/Links:* Check out David’s website (link) to join his newsletter and explore his past writing.* David’s new podcast: Look Both Ways with David & Wes (link).* David’s Vox Article: A self-driving car traffic jam is coming for US cities (link).Designing Charging Hubs for Autonomous FleetsWe 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 [email protected] 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
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43:47
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43:47