Elisa de Martel, former chief financial officer of Waymo, has moved to self-driving tech firm Wayve in a similar role. Wayve, known for its self-learning driving software, is preparing to launch its technology in robotaxis and passenger vehicles, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s journey.

De Martel, whose career has spanned tech giants like Apple and 3D printing company Carbon, brings extensive financial management experience to Wayve. Her appointment comes as the company aims to scale its automated driving technology, with recent investments and partnerships with automakers like Nissan and Stellantis.

Wayve’s approach to self-driving technology focuses on an end-to-end neural network that learns from data, eliminating the need for high-definition maps or custom hardware. This agnostic technology has attracted interest from automakers looking for flexible solutions and investors seeking a capable player in the self-driving space.

The company has already launched public rides in London with human safety operators and plans to expand to Tokyo. However, the challenge now lies in scaling from limited deployment to a high-volume supplier in the automotive industry.

As Wayve steps up, de Martel’s financial expertise will be crucial in navigating this critical phase. With the potential to revolutionize transportation, the race is on for self-driving tech to become a mainstream reality.