Source: Fortune
Summary
Waymo’s co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana claims that the company’s autonomous vehicle technology is not eliminating jobs, but rather creating new ones. Despite concerns from human drivers, Mawakana says that Waymo’s robotaxis have not eliminated jobs in the markets where they operate. The company is also investing in infrastructure and growing services, which will create opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds. The US robotaxi market is projected to grow from 1,500 in 2025 to 35,000 in 2030, with automated services accounting for 8% of the total American ride-share market.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. Waymo’s robotaxis are rolling out, and the company claims it’s not eliminating jobs. But the real story is in the numbers: 9 million AVs will be deployed over the next 15 years, creating over 114,000 new jobs in AV production, distribution, maintenance, upgrades, and repairs. Humans won’t be totally left out of the process; companies will need about 190 workers to manufacture and service the cars, for every 1,000 AV created and deployed each year. The shift to driverless will open up new jobs, but it’s unclear if they’ll be enough to offset the losses. One thing is certain: the future of work is changing, and companies like Waymo are leading the charge.
Author: Evan Null
