When previously asked who is leading the AV development race, Cruise CEO and founder Kyle Vogt said it is hard to know, but pointed to two models. For him the “proof point” is – and by implication will be – vehicles on the road. Some companies are writing software that they assume can be applied to future vehicles. Cruise is starting with a well-equipped vehicles now and working on making them function, optimizing them and getting the costs out. Ultimately both approaches could converge. Moreover, software is notoriously fickle in vehicles and difficult to test in simulations involving people.