Waymo driverless taxi parks in lower Manhattan in New York City, U.S., Nov. 26, 2025.Waymo is starting to take San Francisco passengers to the airport.The Alphabet-owned company said in a blog post Thursday that it is opening up San Francisco International Airport access to a select number of customers, and will gradually welcome all riders over the coming months. Pickups and drop-offs will initially take place at the airport's rental car center, and will eventually expand to additional locations like termi ...

Core Insights - The launch of Tesla's driverless taxi service in Austin marks a significant shift towards mainstream adoption of autonomous vehicles, with positive consumer feedback highlighting comfort and safety [1][2][5] - Tesla plans to gradually scale its robotaxi fleet, aiming for 50 vehicles in operation by Q4 2025 and over 1,000 by the end of 2026, with potential expansion into California [3][5] - Analysts predict that the success of Tesla's autonomous vehicles could pressure other automakers to accelerate their own autonomous technology timelines [5] Company Analysis - **Tesla**: The company is positioned as a leader in the driverless transport sector, with autonomous vehicles accounting for approximately 59% of its price target, equating to an implied value of $800 billion [8] - **Alphabet (Waymo)**: Waymo is ahead in robotaxi testing, operating in four U.S. cities and planning to expand to 17 more, with expectations to capture 10% of the autonomous vehicle market by the end of the decade [10] - **Nvidia**: The chipmaker is expected to benefit from the growth of autonomous vehicles, as its chips are integral to most autonomous driving systems [11] Competitive Landscape - **Uber**: While Uber's stock has seen short-term gains, the long-term outlook is uncertain as driverless taxis may offer cheaper alternatives, potentially impacting Uber's market position [12][15] - **Lyft**: The company is planning to launch its own autonomous vehicle line but faces challenges in competing with larger players like Tesla, which is projected to capture a significant market share [14][15] - **Traditional Automakers**: Companies lacking robust electric and autonomous vehicle strategies may struggle to keep pace, particularly those reliant on traditional sales models [16][17]