Autonomous Ride-Hailing

This application area focuses on replacing human drivers in passenger transportation with fully autonomous vehicles that can operate as on‑demand ride-hailing and robotaxi services. These systems integrate perception, prediction, planning, and control to navigate urban and suburban environments safely, handle traffic and pedestrians, and complete point‑to‑point trips without a safety driver. Platforms like Waymo and other global robotaxi operators exemplify this shift, offering door‑to‑door mobility through apps similar to today’s ride-hailing services, but with no human behind the wheel. Autonomous ride-hailing matters because it fundamentally changes the cost structure, scalability, and accessibility of urban mobility. By removing labor as the dominant variable cost, operators can run vehicles 24/7, lower per‑mile prices, and expand coverage to underserved areas and populations who can’t or don’t want to drive. At scale, these systems promise fewer accidents due to reduced human error, more consistent service quality, and new business models for cities, fleet operators, and logistics providers who can deploy autonomous fleets instead of building traditional car-ownership–based infrastructure.