Travis Kalanick’s Atoms may enter robotaxis — TechCrunch
Atoms, a startup linked to Uber founder Travis Kalanick, may move into robotaxi technologies. According to TechCrunch, the Financial Times reported that the company is preparing for large-scale hiring and acquisitions that could make it a notable player in autonomous vehicles.
Contacts with Uber
According to the Financial Times, Atoms discussed with Uber the possibility of the ride-hailing service using the startup’s robotaxi technology. Uber already has partnerships with a number of companies working on autonomous vehicles.
The Financial Times also noted that Uber invested $100 million in Atoms. TechCrunch had previously confirmed this amount.
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Funding and Pronto
At the beginning of summer, Atoms announced a $1.7 billion funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. After raising the funds, Kalanick did not disclose in detail what exactly the company would do, describing the round as “unfinished business.”
According to Financial Times sources, robotaxis are not the only direction in Atoms’ plans. This direction is consistent with the company’s acquisition of Pronto, a startup developing autonomous technologies for the mining industry that was led by Anthony Levandowski, the former head of Uber’s self-driving car unit.
TechCrunch notes that Levandowski was convicted of stealing trade secrets and sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was later pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump.
