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Autonomous vehicles have long been touted as “just around the corner,” but the reality of what it takes to bring self-driving cars to the streets is anything but simple. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening 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 current state of AVs — and where the industry goes from here.

Inside the self-driving reality check

While the headlines often focus on crashes, controversies, or overblown promises, Tekedra 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 the nuances of 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 truly autonomous vehicles to life at scale. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or just curious about the road ahead, you won’t want to miss it.

Image Credits:Waymo

Meet the leader behind the wheel

Tekedra Mawakana brings over two decades of experience shaping global strategy for some of the world’s biggest tech companies. As co-CEO of Waymo, she guides the company’s long-term mission to bring the Waymo Driver to the masses and lead the next generation of autonomous innovation. She also serves on the board of Intuit, advises Boom Technology, and supports a number of social impact ventures through her work as an investor and LP with Operator Collective.

Get your pass to Disrupt before rates rise

Waymo’s story is a central chapter in the future of mobility, and this session offers a rare inside look at the journey behind the headlines. Join us at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — where more than 10,000 startup and VC leaders gather to shape what’s next. Register today and secure your spot with up to $675 in ticket savings before prices increase.

Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images