Robotaxis & Dividends: A Fool’s Errand (Or Is It?)

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Alright, settle in, folks! You want to talk about the future of transportation? Robotaxis? Sounds like something out of The Jetsons, doesn’t it? Except instead of Rosie the Robot maid, you’re trusting a computer to not drive you into a lamppost. And I, your humble dividend hunter, am here to tell you whether this is a road to riches… or a highway robbery. Honestly, I’ve seen more reliable navigation from a pigeon. But, business is business, and where there’s innovation, there’s potential for a nice, steady payout. Maybe.

Now, McKinsey—those folks who get paid to predict things—say 2030 is the year. Robotaxis everywhere! Level 4 or Level 5 autonomy, they call it. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Like a secret agent code. Level 5 means no driver ever. Just a car, a destination, and a prayer. Frankly, I’m sticking with human drivers until I see one successfully parallel park in Manhattan. But enough about my personal anxieties.

We’ve got a couple of contenders in this automated race. Alphabet’s Waymo, and Tesla. Tesla, of course, is run by that fella Elon. A character! He’s like a Bond villain who also sells electric cars. Always a good combination. Waymo, on the other hand, is the slightly more sensible sibling. Still a bit wacky, mind you—it is Alphabet—but at least they’re not simultaneously trying to colonize Mars.

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More of Waymo’s Robotaxis Are Already… Well, Rolling Around

Here’s the kicker: Waymo is actually doing this. They’ve got over a million autonomous rides a month in places like Atlanta, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. A million! That’s a lot of people trusting a computer to not confuse a stop sign with a suggestion. They did 14 million trips last year, tripling their volume. They’re planning to expand to 20 more cities next year. I say, good for them! More data points for my dividend calculations.

Tesla, bless their heart, is rolling out their “Robotaxi” service. They’re predicting $75 billion in revenue by 2030. That’s a lot of zeroes. But, as of now, it’s mostly in Austin and San Francisco, and still has a human “safety supervisor” ready to grab the wheel. A human! In a robot taxi! It’s like having a lifeguard at a swimming pool full of robots. Makes you wonder who’s really in charge.

Right now, Waymo has more actual autonomous vehicles on the road, in more places. It’s a simple equation, folks. More cars, more rides, more potential for a dividend payout. Elementary, my dear Watson!

Waymo Might Be the Premium Brand… Or Just Expensive

Waymo just raised $16 billion in funding, valuing the company at $126 billion. That’s… a lot of money. They’re talking about expanding internationally, to London and Tokyo. They’re calling themselves a “technology leader” in the “trillion dollar transportation market.” It’s all very grand. And, let’s be honest, a little bit hyperbolic. But hey, you gotta talk big to attract investors.

Interestingly, a study found that Waymo rides are more expensive than Uber, Lyft, or even Tesla. But people are still choosing them! They’re paying a premium for the privilege of being driven by a robot. It’s like paying extra for a slightly malfunctioning butler. The absurdity! But, from a dividend hunter’s perspective, it’s a good sign. People are willing to pay more, which means more revenue, which means… you guessed it!

Can Waymo Ride Out the Risks? (And Will We All Survive?)

Look, this isn’t all sunshine and robot roses. There are risks. Regulatory hurdles, profitability concerns, the potential for rogue robots… the list goes on. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates Waymo’s per-vehicle costs are two to three times higher than Tesla’s. That’s a big difference. It’s like trying to win a race with a horse-drawn carriage against a rocket ship.

But here’s the thing: people are getting comfortable with robotaxis. A recent poll showed that 63% of people are comfortable with autonomous vehicles. Up from 35% just a couple of years ago. It’s a slow burn, but the tide is turning. And that, my friends, is where the opportunity lies.

If I had to pick one of these stocks to buy today? Alphabet. Waymo seems like the better bet to lead the way to the robotaxi future. It’s not a guaranteed win, mind you. This is still a highly speculative investment. But, hey, a little risk is good for the soul… and potentially good for your dividend portfolio. Just don’t blame me if a robot car runs you over.

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2026-02-05 15:33