Core Insights - Waymo, a unit of Alphabet, announced plans to enhance its first responder engagement and improve emergency response protocols [1] - The company will implement updates to enable its vehicles to navigate intersections more decisively [1] Group 1 - Waymo is focusing on expanding its collaboration with first responders to improve safety and efficiency during emergencies [1] - The updates to emergency response protocols aim to streamline interactions between Waymo's autonomous vehicles and emergency services [1] - Enhancements in intersection navigation are expected to increase the overall effectiveness of Waymo's autonomous driving technology [1]

December 21, 2025 11:35 PM GMT The Robot Almanac Vol. 6: Autonomous Vehicles Morgan Stanley Global Embodied AI Team December 2025 The content addressing private companies is being provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or imply future research coverage if the company goes public. Content is based on unaudited information. No investment recommendation is provided as there is limited public information available for private companies. Investors should conduct their own ...

Industry Note December 8, 2025 Analysts Seth Basham, CFA (212) 938-9954 Seth.Basham@wedbush.com Scott Devitt (646) 604-4230 scott.devitt@wedbush.com Dan Ives (212) 344-2073 Dan.Ives@wedbush.com Matt Bryson (617) 695-6302 matthew.bryson@wedbush.com Alicia Reese 212-938-9927 Alicia.Reese@wedbush.com Antoine Legault, CFA, CPA (626) 497-1619 antoine.legault@wedbush.com Steven Wahrhaftig (212) 931-7059 steven.wahrhaftig@wedbush.com Matthew Weiss (212) 931-7096 matthew.weiss@wedbush.com Sam Brandeis (212) 833-658 ...

Waymo starts autonomous testing in Philadelphia https://t.co/QSfh7v7G2O ...

Waymo is adding another four cities to its growing list of robotaxi rollouts. The company announced Wednesday it has begun testing its autonomous vehicles (with a safety monitor) in Philadelphia, and that it will start manual driving to collect data in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh.Waymo did not offer a timeline for when it plans to launch commercial services in those locations, nor do we know whether the Alphabet-owned company will partner with other companies to operate robotaxis in each one. That ...

Industry Overview - The auto industry is rapidly evolving with electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs) becoming mainstream, reshaping travel and corporate strategies regarding mobility [2] - Tesla's dominance in the EV market is being challenged by strong competition from Chinese automakers and traditional car manufacturers, along with new EV-only startups [2] Technology Advancements - Improvements in battery technology, including longer lifespan, faster charging, and reduced costs, are making EVs more appealing [3] - The expansion of fast-charging networks is addressing one of the major concerns for EV buyers: charging time [3] Market Growth Projections - The U.S. EV market was valued at approximately $131 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $439 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 13.6% [5] - The International Energy Agency anticipates global EV sales to surpass 20 million units in 2025, accounting for over 25% of all cars sold worldwide [5] - The global AV market is expected to increase from about $106 billion in 2021 to over $2.3 trillion by 2030 [6] Investment Opportunities - Both EVs and AVs present significant long-term investment opportunities, characterized by growth and innovation [7] - Notable companies for investors include QuantumScape Corp. (QS), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Rivian Automotive (RIVN) [7] Company Highlights: QuantumScape - QuantumScape is advancing its solid-state battery technology, achieving a major milestone with the introduction of the Cobra manufacturing process, which is 25 times faster than the previous system [9] - The company has begun customer testing of its new battery cells, with significant interest from leading automakers [10] - QuantumScape recorded $12.8 million in customer billings for the first time in Q3, indicating progress towards commercialization [12] Company Highlights: Alphabet (Waymo) - Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving unit, operates the most advanced robotaxi service in the U.S., with fully driverless services in several major cities [14][15] - The company has received substantial funding for research and fleet expansion, enhancing its competitive position [16] - Waymo recently began offering driverless freeway rides, marking a significant milestone in autonomous driving [17] Company Highlights: Rivian - Rivian is focusing on expanding its EV market presence with plans for lower-priced models, including the R2 midsize SUV expected to launch in 2026 [19][20] - The company has a strategic partnership with Volkswagen, which plans to invest up to $5.8 billion, aiding Rivian's next-generation electrical architecture [21] - Rivian aims to reduce material costs by about 20% for its second-generation models and nearly 50% for the R2, positioning itself for growth [22]

RT Jeff Dean (@JeffDean)Exciting expansion! @Waymo now serves the whole SF Bay Area Peninsula from SF to San Jose and is taking riders on freeways.https://t.co/fNgqQtHB7b https://t.co/m2paGRRDIO ...

Group 1 - Robotics and autonomous vehicles are advancing rapidly due to breakthroughs in AI and semiconductor technology [1] - China is emerging as a significant center for innovation, driven by self-reliance needs stemming from US technology embargos [1] - The industry is experiencing a shift as companies seek to enhance their value propositions through new technologies and business models [1] Group 2 - The analyst has extensive experience across various industries, including airlines, oil, retail, mining, fintech, and e-commerce, which informs their understanding of market dynamics [1] - Historical experiences through multiple crises, such as the dot-com bubble and the COVID-19 pandemic, provide a robust foundation for analyzing current trends [1]

My name is Marco Pavon and I lead autonomous vehicle research at Nvidia. I'm also a professor at Stanford where I lead the autonomous systems lab. I was used to tell my students maybe 3 four years ago that as a researcher I felt a bit stuck.Of course we were making progress but that was very incremental. But in the past three years, there's been a massive influx of new technologies primarily from the field of artificial intelligence that have revolutionized essentially all the building blocks through which ...

Core Viewpoint - Uber's stock is declining despite a revenue beat in Q3, primarily due to concerns over future earnings and the impact of autonomous vehicles on the ride-sharing industry [1][2]. Financial Performance - Uber reported third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, but operating income fell short of estimates [1]. - Gross bookings are on the rise, with projections for Q4 bookings to increase by 18% to 22% [7]. Industry Dynamics - The introduction of autonomous vehicles poses a significant risk to Uber's business model, potentially leading to a more concentrated supply of ride-sharing services [2][3]. - The ride-sharing market may experience fragmentation similar to human drivers, but advancements in technology from companies like Waymo and Tesla could disrupt this balance [3][9]. Competitive Landscape - Uber's current business performance is strong, but concerns exist regarding the long-term implications of autonomous technology, contrasting with Tesla's perceived future potential despite its current struggles [4][6]. - The risk of supply concentration could diminish Uber's role as a middleman, affecting its revenue model and market position [10][11]. Technological Considerations - The rapid advancement of autonomous vehicle technology could lead to significant changes in the transportation landscape, potentially sidelining traditional ride-sharing models [8][9]. - Companies like Tesla and Waymo are at the forefront of this technology, which may alter the competitive dynamics in the ride-sharing industry [12][13].