Austin Russell’s journey to becoming the world’s youngest self-made billionaire started in 2012, when he founded Luminar Technologies. The company specializes in cheap, compact lidar systems, which use lasers to help cars see their surroundings—a technology important to developing self-driving vehicles. But Russell says he’s more focused on making driving safer than getting rid of the humans at the wheel—and his approach has paid off. Ten years in, Luminar is a leader in the industry, creating lidar systems for companies like Volvo and Nissan.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- What Wildfire Smoke Does to the Human Body
- Teens Are Taking Wegovy for Weight Loss
- Why Pence Launched His Presidential Bid in Iowa
- Prince Harry Breaks Royal Convention to Testify in Court
- Elliot Page: Embracing My Trans Identity Saved Me
- How a Texas High Jumper Has Earned Nearly $1 Million
- The Best TV Shows of 2023 So Far
- 7 Ways to Get Better at Small Talk