Travis Kalanick’s Atoms might be getting into the robotaxi business
Travis Kalanick’s startup, Atoms, is reportedly expanding into the autonomous vehicle industry with a focus on robotaxi technology. The company has secured significant funding and is exploring potential partnerships with Uber, which is also an investor.
Why it matters
The entry of a high-profile founder like Kalanick into the autonomous vehicle space signals potential consolidation and renewed competition in the robotaxi market.
Earlier this summer, Travis Kalanick’s Atoms announced a $1.7 billion funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz . But even after raising that mega round, the Uber founder remained a bit cagey about what he was actually aiming to do.
Now a story in the Financial Times offers more details about Atoms’ goals. The startup is reportedly preparing for a hiring spree, as well as acquisitions, that could make it a major player in the autonomous vehicle industry.
In fact, the FT said Atoms has talked to Uber about how the ride-hailing company could use the startup’s robotaxi technology. (Uber has already partnered with a long list of autonomous vehicle companies .) The report also noted that Uber has invested $100 million in Atoms — a figure previously confirmed by TechCrunch .
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