Rewiring the American Edge | Episode 14 | Aug 23, 2025 – Rideshare, Robotaxi and Biz Models w/ Henriette Cornet

August 23, 2025 • 40 Minutes

Episode 14 | Aug 23, 2025 – Rideshare, Robotaxi and Biz Models w/ Henriette Cornet

In this conversation Henriette Cornet joins co-hosts William Riggs and Vipul Vyas to dive deeper into the evolving autonomous vehicles (AVs) and ride-sharing landscape, focusing on the technological advancements, infrastructure needs, and the importance of public-private partnerships. The experts discuss the shift from personal vehicle ownership to mobility as a service, technological advances, the challenges of integrating AVs into existing transit systems, and the necessity for collaboration among various stakeholders in the industry. They also dissect different business models from Tesla and Waymo that include various operational and technology stack strategies. The dialogue emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to enhance urban mobility and the role of technology in shaping the future of transportation.

Takeaways

- Collaboration among players is essential for AV development.

- The shift from ownership to service is crucial for future mobility.

- Infrastructure needs significant investment and planning.

- Public-private partnerships can enhance transit efficiency.

- Consumer behavior will influence the adoption of AVs.

- Safety and reliability are paramount in AV technology.

- Ride-sharing services must adapt to consumer preferences.

- The role of technology in improving mobility is vital.

- Regulatory frameworks need to evolve with technology.

- Flexibility in transportation options is key for urban areas.

Sound bites

- “Many players realize they should not do everything on their own—there is great value in using what’s already out there.” — Henriette Cornet

- “Tesla has always been about selling more cars, but a robotaxi is a service at the end of the day. That shift is fascinating.” — Henriette Cornet

- “Selling cars changes from a one-time sale to a product you sell multiple times over its life cycle. Few U.S. manufacturers are thinking that way.” — Billy Riggs

- “In the U.S., cars are almost like a portable extension of your home. How do consumers adapt when that’s no longer their space?” — Vipul Vyas

- “ADAS improves safety, but you can’t suddenly mix that with full autonomy. The step from Level 2 to Level 4 is huge.” — Henriette Cornet

- “The amount of depot and digital infrastructure needed is enormous—mapping, data, skills. It’s not something that happens overnight.” — Henriette Cornet

- “Transit agencies shouldn’t be stuck owning fleets. More promising models let private operators deliver mobility while cities set requirements.” — Henriette Cornet

- “The future is incremental, diverse, and driven by partnerships and coordination. At the end of the day, it’s about livable places.” — Billy Riggs

Chapters

- 00:00 Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles and Ride Sharing

- 02:36 The Current Landscape of AV Partnerships

- 05:09 Tesla's Position in the Autonomous Vehicle Market

- 08:08 The Shift from Ownership to Mobility as a Service

- 10:42 Infrastructure Needs for Autonomous Vehicles

- 13:35 Public-Private Partnerships in Transit

- 16:18 The Future of Ride Sharing and Multimodal Mobility

- 18:47 Challenges and Opportunities in AV Operations

- 21:41 The Role of Digital Literacy in Mobility

- 24:21 Conclusion: The Path Forward for Autonomous Mobility