Autonomous vehicles: Arriving soon in autopia

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are here and more will arrive in 2026. Over 500,000 weekly rides are being currently taken in Waymos across America. With both technology and safety levels improving rapidly, scepticism towards driverless cars is diminishing. They can help save both time and lives as well as improving urban environments. Greater AV supply should fuel increased demand. By 2035, the overall autonomous vehicle market could be worth up to $400bn. The journey forward will not be linear. Inevitable accidents, increased regulatory scrutiny and fears of potential cyber-compromise may delay progress. Regardless, significant sums of (often private) capital are being ploughed into the industry. Waymo appears to be an early leader, but many other players are developing rival businesses, while companies such as Uber are seeking to position themselves as platforms for demand aggregation. Buckle up for an exciting journey.