Waymo Leads Robotaxi Race After CES 2026

Reporter Lloyd Lee attended CES 2026 in Las Vegas to investigate the current state of autonomous vehicle technology. After testing services from Amazon's Zoox and others, Lee concluded that Waymo holds a substantial lead in the robotaxi industry. The experience highlighted the immense difficulty of creating a profitable business case for these services, emphasizing that operational challenges like fleet scaling are just as critical as the driving technology itself. The event also showcased broader trends in autonomy, including humanoid robotics and remote driving solutions.

CES 2026 proved to be a massive event with a heavy focus on the automotive sector. According to Lloyd Lee, the convention dedicated significant space to automobility, blurring the lines between a traditional tech show and a car show. This sentiment was echoed by Paul Costa, a former Apple veteran now at Ford, who noted that CES has evolved into a comprehensive automotive showcase.

Among the displays, Hyundai Motor Group stood out for its extensive presentation of autonomous technology. The booth featured everything from EV charging stations to robotic arms. Specifically, Boston Dynamics, a unit of Hyundai, demonstrated its Atlas humanoid robot. Lee described the robot's activation and movement as both terrifying and awe-striking.

Lee's firsthand experience testing robotaxi services solidified his view of the industry's hierarchy. He tried services from Amazon's Zoox and others, leading him to believe that Waymo is significantly ahead of the competition. He attributes this lead not just to the autonomous driving technology, but to the operational side of the business, such as fleet scaling and management, which Waymo has developed to create a usable ride-hailing service.

Despite Waymo's lead, the financial reality remains difficult. Lee acknowledged that even Waymo is currently burning money on its service. The challenge of making a profitable business case for robotaxis is a major hurdle the industry must overcome before these vehicles can go mainstream.

Discussions with industry experts at CES highlighted potential shifts in the market. Chris Ahn, a principal at Deloitte specializing in software-defined vehicles, suggested that automakers will likely pursue different levels of autonomy based on customer needs rather than chasing full autonomy universally. He questioned whether adding the cost of LiDAR systems is necessary for suburban families.

Ahn also predicted a convergence of emerging technologies. He stated that humanoid robotics, generative AI, and software-defined vehicles will likely merge into a single conversation regarding mobility tech.

Additionally, Lee noted the German startup Vay for its contrarian business model. Unlike competitors who avoid the stigma of remote driving, Vay built its entire service around it. The company uses remote driving to deliver cars to renters without a human inside, offering a unique solution to the delivery problem.

CES 2026 demonstrated that while the robotaxi race is competitive, Waymo currently maintains a healthy lead due to its operational maturity. However, the path to profitability remains uncertain for all players. As the technology evolves, the convergence of AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles will likely reshape the industry further. For now, the focus remains on overcoming the significant hurdles of cost and scalability to bring these services to the mainstream market.