Uber Bets Big on Premium Robotaxis for Future Mobility
▼ Summary
– Uber is aggressively investing in autonomous vehicle technology, partnering with companies like Lucid and Nuro, including a $300 million investment in Lucid and around $400 million in Nuro.
– Bedrock Robotics, a startup founded by ex-Waymo employees, raised $80 million to focus on autonomous heavy equipment for construction sites.
– Several mobility and EV companies secured funding, including Amogy ($23M), Zeekr (going private), Gridserve (£100M), and Pronto (acquired SafeAI).
– Lucid is rolling out hands-free highway driving via a software update, while Uber partnered with Baidu to deploy robotaxis outside the U.S. and China.
– Tesla opened its first showroom in India after years of delays, while Cybertruck sales declined, and Joby Aviation expanded its eVTOL production facility.
Uber is making bold moves in the autonomous vehicle space, with significant investments aimed at securing its position in the future of premium robotaxis. The ride-hailing giant has been quietly building partnerships across the AV industry, from delivery services to self-driving trucks, but its latest financial commitments reveal just how serious it is about dominating this emerging market.
Recent filings show Uber poured $300 million into Lucid Motors, the electric vehicle manufacturer known for its luxury sedans. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sources indicate the company also invested over $400 million in Nuro, a startup specializing in autonomous delivery vehicles. These deals signal Uber’s strategy to integrate high-end, self-driving technology into its platform, offering riders a seamless, premium experience.
Meanwhile, the autonomous vehicle sector continues to evolve rapidly. Former Waymo executive Boris Sofman has launched Bedrock Robotics, a new venture focused on automating heavy construction equipment. The startup recently secured $80 million in funding from prominent investors like Eclipse and 8VC. With a team of industry veterans, Bedrock aims to revolutionize how large-scale machinery operates on job sites.
Other notable developments in mobility tech include:
- Amogy, a Brooklyn-based firm converting ammonia into clean energy for shipping, raised an additional $23 million, bringing its total recent funding to $80 million.
- Geely Auto announced plans to take its luxury EV brand Zeekr private, just over a year after its NYSE debut.
- Gridserve, a UK mobile charging provider, landed £100 million ($134 million) to expand its EV infrastructure.
- Pronto, a self-driving tech company for off-road vehicles, acquired rival SafeAI in a move to bolster its engineering talent and intellectual property.
In the electric vehicle space, Lucid Motors is rolling out hands-free highway driving via a software update later this month, marking a major milestone for its advanced driver-assistance system. Meanwhile, Rivian is preparing to restart construction on its Georgia factory, according to documents obtained through public records requests. The company also unveiled a revamped navigation system, replacing Mapbox with a custom-built solution powered by Google Maps.
Tesla’s long-awaited entry into India finally materialized with the opening of its first showroom, though Cybertruck sales have dipped significantly since their initial surge. The GMC Hummer EV even outsold Tesla’s angular pickup in Q2. On the legal front, a federal lawsuit examining whether Tesla’s driver-assistance tech contributed to a fatal 2019 crash is underway, with jury selection highlighting the polarizing views surrounding CEO Elon Musk.
The future of flight is also taking shape, with Joby Aviation expanding its manufacturing facility in California as it gears up to launch electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles by early 2025.
From robotaxis to eVTOLs, the race to redefine transportation is heating up, and Uber is placing big bets to stay ahead of the curve.
(Source: TechCrunch)
