Earlier this summer season, Travis Kalanick’s Atoms introduced a $1.7 billion funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. However even after elevating that mega spherical, the Uber founder remained a bit cagey about what he was really aiming to do.
Now a story in the Financial Times gives extra particulars about Atoms’ objectives. The startup is reportedly making ready for a hiring spree, in addition to acquisitions, that would make it a significant participant within the autonomous car business.
In reality, the FT stated Atoms has talked to Uber about how the ride-hailing firm may use the startup’s robotaxi expertise. (Uber has already partnered with a long list of autonomous vehicle companies.) The report additionally famous that Uber has invested $100 million in Atoms — a determine beforehand confirmed by TechCrunch.
Whereas sources emphasised that robotaxis don’t characterize everything of Atoms’ plans, this course appears in keeping with Kalanick’s description of the spherical as “unfinished enterprise.”
It additionally suits with Atoms’ acquisition of Pronto, an autonomous mining startup led by Uber’s former self-driving chief Anthony Levandowski. (Levandowski was convicted of stealing commerce secrets and techniques and sentenced to 18 months in prison, however was then pardoned by President Donald Trump.)