Autonomous vehicles have long been touted as “just around the corner,” but the reality of bringing self-driving cars to the streets is far from simple. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco — Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana joins the Disrupt Stage for a wide-ranging conversation on the true state of AVs and where the industry goes from here.
Inside the self-driving reality check
While headlines often highlight crashes, controversies, or overblown promises, Mawakana has spent years navigating the real-world path to autonomous mobility. At Disrupt, she’ll dig into what it actually takes to scale AV deployment — from rider safety and public trust to regulation, operations, and competitive pressure from Tesla and others.
This session isn’t about vague timelines or flashy demos. It’s about what’s working, what still needs work, and what it means to bring autonomy to life at scale. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious about the road ahead, you won’t want to miss it.
Image Credits:Waymo
Meet the leader behind the wheel
Tekedra Mawakana brings more than two decades of experience shaping global strategy at major tech companies. As co-CEO of Waymo, she guides the company’s mission to bring the Waymo Driver to the masses and lead the next generation of autonomous innovation. She also serves on Intuit’s board and advises several technology and social impact ventures.
The future of mobility, live at Disrupt
Waymo’s story is a central chapter in the future of transportation, and this session offers a rare inside look at the journey behind the headlines. Join us at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where 10,000+ startup and VC leaders gather to shape what’s next. Register today and save up to $650 before rates rise.
Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images
