07 Feb 2026
33m

Is Waymo Actually Profitable? The Real Cost of the Robotaxi Revolution

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The Data Exchange with Ben Lorica

The podcast explores the economics and challenges surrounding self-driving cars and the growing opposition to data centers. It highlights the shift in autonomous vehicle technology, comparing the sensor-heavy approach of Waymo to Tesla's camera-centric system, and debates the necessity of LiDAR for safety and public trust. The discussion also covers the financial realities of Waymo's expansion and Tesla's potential impact on the market. Shifting to data centers, the podcast examines the rising local resistance due to concerns about electricity usage, noise, and especially water consumption, further exacerbated by AI-specific data centers. It questions the long-term viability of tax subsidies and the potential for overcapacity, drawing parallels to the Bitcoin era and emphasizing the need for transparency and understanding at both local and national levels.

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