Yes, it is.
> Do you think Google's main motivation behind starting AV work 14 years ago and incinerating billions on it over the years was really rooted in speculative profit years down the road?
Yes, along with a pile of other moonshots. That's what moonshots are for.
There's a lot of profit potential in AVs, and even if you fail at it there is a lot of potential for profitable spinoffs of the research.
And if you fail at both, well, moonshots are high-risk, high-reward.
To add to your comment, the billions "incinerated" in Waymo (~$5bn) is about what New York City pays for a single subway station qua shopping mall.
yes!!!
imagine if everyone that commutes could watch ads, sorry, use Google's valuable products and services for an extra 3 hours a day
Honest question: why do you think Google funded this?