Earlier this summer time, 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 truly aiming to do.
Now a story in the Financial Times provides extra particulars about Atoms’ targets. The startup is reportedly making ready for a hiring spree, in addition to acquisitions, that would make it a serious participant within the autonomous automobile business.
Actually, the FT stated Atoms has talked to Uber about how the ride-hailing firm might 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 symbolize the whole lot of Atoms’ plans, this path appears in step 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.)
