At CES 2026, Lloyd Lee found Waymo far ahead in the robotaxi sector. Other companies face significant challenges in competing, highlighting the complexity of autonomy and profitability in this emerging market.
Waymo appears to lead in robotaxi tech.
Major hurdles remain for widespread adoption.
CES showcased extensive automobility innovations.
Vay offers a compelling remote driving model.
Operational management is crucial for success.
Rise of convergence across various tech fields.
Lloyd Lee’s visit to CES 2026 revealed a clear leader in the robotaxi arena: Waymo. The competition is significant, but other companies lag due to various hurdles they still need to overcome, especially if they want to make a real impact in the industry.
Waymo’s Dominance in Robotaxis
Waymo stands out as the most advanced robotaxi service, in contrast to newer players like Zoox. The complexity of scaling management systems and operations remains their significant challenge. While many firms are developing technology, having a viable business model is proving to be difficult. Waymo is already dealing with financial losses but is managing to create a service that feels accessible to city dwellers.
Innovations and the CES Experience
CES 2026 embraced a vast display of automotive technology beyond just computers. Hyundai’s booth, featuring its Boston Dynamics robot, yet again emphasized this trend—turning the event into a key showcase for automobile advancements. Lee noted how the industry is evolving toward increased integration of robotics and AI.
Hyundai’s extensive tech demonstration.
Remote driving gains traction with Vay.
Industry experts discuss future trends.
Challenges and Future Predictions
The journey forward for robotaxis isn’t straightforward. Company leaders often struggle to provide clear answers about the future, indicating uncertainty surrounding these technologies. Lee aims to incorporate these ambiguities into his reporting—acknowledging that not all questions have clear answers is critical.
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.
Business Insider is a global news organization that provides business, technology, and finance news for young professionals and decision-makers.
It is known for its fast-paced, digital-first approach and covers a wide range of topics including politics, careers, lifestyle, and innovation. In 2021, the company, now owned by Axel Springer SE, rebranded its main publication to Insider, while keeping Business Insider as the name for its business-specific subsidiary.
