Sebastian Thrun

Sebastian Thrun, roboticist and self-driving pioneer, joins Alex Davies, journalist and author of Driven. They trace the secret Google project that put driverless cars on real roads. The conversation dives into DARPA races, machine learning breakthroughs, internal rivalries, Uber’s reckless push, and the big question of whether robots are actually safer behind the wheel.

PJ Vogt, Search Engine reporter and narrator, follows the secret Google project that put driverless cars on real roads. Don Burnette, Kodiak AI founder and early Google self-driving engineer, recalls the messy challenge of teaching a Prius human-like judgment. Sebastian Thrun, Stanford roboticist and DARPA winner, revisits the race, the Google bet, Waymo’s rise, Uber’s chaos, and the looming threat to driving jobs.

Join Sebastian Thrun, the visionary behind self-driving cars and Udacity, as he explores the future of technology and education. He shares how autonomous driving could become a lifesaver and his journey from academia to Silicon Valley. Thrun emphasizes choosing meaningful projects over money and discusses the challenges of making AI work in everyday shopping. As he reflects on family, grit, and curiosity, he reveals his commitment to innovation and the transformative potential of technology in urban environments.

Sebastian Thrun, co-founder of X and a pioneer in self-driving technology, teams up with Andre Prager, chief engineer at Wing, who has long been passionate about aviation. They recount the incredible journey of self-driving cars and drone deliveries, from skepticism to reality. The conversation dives into the transformative impact of autonomous vehicles on urban mobility and logistics, touching upon regulatory hurdles and community engagement. They also explore the ethical responsibilities of innovation, emphasizing collaboration for societal benefits.

Sebastian Thrun, a pioneering roboticist and educator, shares insights from his work on self-driving cars and online learning. He discusses the journey from traditional vehicle autonomy to cutting-edge technologies, emphasizing teamwork and problem-solving. Thrun explains the transformative potential of machine learning in various fields, including healthcare. They dive into the ambitious future of flying cars, highlighting advancements in electric propulsion and urban transport. The conversation also touches on how AI impacts jobs and the necessary balance of skills for future workplaces.