On February 4, 2026, the U.S. Senate convened a hearing focused on autonomous driving, with executives from both Waymo and Tesla in attendance. During the hearing, Waymo disclosed that its self-driving taxis transition to remote human control when faced with challenging road conditions. Notably, some of these remote operators are based overseas, particularly in regions like the Philippines. This revelation has sparked concerns over cybersecurity risks, the qualifications of remote operators, and the potential impact on employment. Meanwhile, both Waymo and Tesla have called on Congress to enact legislation that would facilitate the wider deployment of autonomous driving technologies. However, lawmakers continue to exercise caution in approving related bills, primarily due to lingering safety concerns.
