Waymo’s head of policy for the east, Matt Walsh, joined Dream City to make the company’s case for operating in D.C., right as council members debate one of the country’s most ambitious robotaxi bills.

Cuneyt presses Walsh on labor’s warnings about lost driving jobs, the company’s safety record, and whether a multibillion-dollar technology company is prepared to make a significant investment in D.C.

They also get into Waymo’s response to labor's accusations that it is trying to “steamroll” the city, the possibility of a deal with unions and Janeese Lewis George, and when riders might finally be able to take a driverless car to DCA or Dulles.

00:00 Introduction to the Dream City Podcast

01:14 Getting Over the Fear of a Driverless Car

05:08 Is D.C. Falling Behind Other Cities?

05:49 Charles Allen’s Robotaxi Bill, Vehicle Caps, and New Fees

09:15 Why D.C.’s Robotaxi Report Is Years Late

11:52 Waymo, Tesla, Uber, and the Robotaxi Competition

13:28 How Many Driving Jobs Could Be Lost?

16:22 Waymo Responds to Labor’s “Steamrolling” Charge

21:30 Waymo’s Investment and Job Plans for D.C.

24:26 Are Robotaxis Really Safer Than Human Drivers?

27:31 Waymo’s Collision Record in D.C.

28:12 Robotaxis, First Responders, and Motorcades

30:50 Are Waymos Learning to Drive Like New York Cabbies?

33:19 The Cameras, Lidar, and Radar Behind a Waymo

35:05 No, Waymo Cannot See Through Your Clothes

35:35 When Could Waymo Reach DCA and Dulles?

The Dream City Podcast will hold the powerful accountable and take you inside D.C.’s business and political worlds. Along the way: Revelatory conversations with city officials, business leaders, and the best-sourced journalists in town.

Music credit: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions

The Dream City Podcast is a product of COSMOS Media LLC.