Waymo’s Tekedra Mawakana on Scaling Self-Driving Beyond the Hype

The article highlights Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana’s upcoming appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where she will provide an in-depth discussion on the current realities and challenges of scaling autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. Moving beyond the common hype and sensational headlines about crashes or overpromises, Mawakana aims to address the practical aspects of deploying self-driving cars at scale, including rider safety, public trust, regulatory hurdles, operational complexities, and competition from companies like Tesla. Her session promises a grounded perspective on what is working in the AV industry, what still requires improvement, and the broader implications of bringing autonomous mobility to mainstream use. Mawakana brings over 20 years of experience in global tech strategy to her leadership role at Waymo, where she is focused on advancing the Waymo Driver technology and expanding its reach. In addition to her role at Waymo, she serves on Intuit’s board and advises various tech and social impact ventures. The article positions her session