Atoms plans robotaxi push with Uber talks, hiring spree

Travis Kalanick‘s startup Atoms, which raised a $1.7 billion round led by Andreessen Horowitz earlier this summer, is reportedly preparing to enter the robotaxi business.

According to a Financial Times report, Atoms is planning a hiring spree and acquisitions that could make it a major player in the autonomous vehicle industry.

The startup has talked to Uber about how the ride-hailing company could use Atoms‘ robotaxi technology. Uber has already invested $100 million in Atoms, a figure previously confirmed by TechCrunch.

While sources emphasized that robotaxis are not the entirety of Atoms‘ plans, the direction is consistent with Kalanick’s description of the round as ‘unfinished business.

‘ It also aligns with Atoms‘ acquisition of Pronto, an autonomous mining startup led by Uber‘s former self-driving chief Anthony Levandowski, who was convicted of stealing trade secrets and later pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Travis Kalanick’s Atoms might be getting into the robotaxi business | TechCrunch

View Original