Can fully autonomous vehicles finally eliminate the tragedy of fatal car accidents?
In short: Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana discusses the potential for driverless technology to move beyond novelty status. In conversation with Sal Khan, she explores how removing human error from the driving equation could fundamentally transform road safety and end the dangerous status quo of modern transportation.
Recorded at TED2026 on April 15, 2026, this discussion centers on the promise of fully autonomous vehicles. Mawakana argues that these systems, which require no human intervention at the wheel, represent a critical shift in how we approach public safety.
The conversation frames autonomous driving not merely as a technological achievement, but as a necessary evolution to address the persistent problem of fatal traffic accidents. By replacing human drivers with automated systems, the goal is to mitigate the risks inherent in current driving habits.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Waymo’s Case for a Driverless Future | Tekedra Mawakana, Sal Khan | TED
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