Waymo’s NYC Expansion & Nvidia’s Nuro Investment: TechCrunch Mobility
▼ Summary
– The author missed Monterey Car Week due to injury but noted key electric vehicle reveals like the Cadillac Opulent Velocity and Lucid Gravity X.
– Serve Robotics acquired AI robotics startup Vayu Robotics for an estimated $45–50 million to enhance its autonomous delivery capabilities.
– Nuro raised $203 million in Series E funding with investments from Uber, Nvidia, and others to advance autonomous vehicle technology.
– Several mobility startups secured funding, including Pony.ai ($12.9M), Grid Aero ($6M), Group14 ($463M), and Oway ($4M).
– Notable industry updates include Hertz selling used cars on Amazon, Tesla integrating new AI voice assistants, and Waymo receiving NYC testing permits.
The future of transportation continues to accelerate with major developments from autonomous vehicle leaders and significant investment activity shaping the industry. This week brought notable updates from Waymo, Nuro, and several emerging startups, highlighting both technological progress and strategic financial moves.
Missing Monterey Car Week was a disappointment, especially with intriguing reveals like the all-electric Cadillac Opulent Velocity and Lucid Gravity X concepts. Unfortunately, a foot injury kept me from joining the Champagne-soaked crowds at Quail or the stylish gatherings at Pebble Beach. Next year, hopefully.
With the federal EV tax credit set to expire on September 30, it’s worth considering what lies ahead for automakers and electric vehicle sales. While I’ll keep my predictions to myself for now, it’s clear that manufacturers will need creative strategies to maintain consumer interest beyond incentives.
In acquisition news, Serve Robotics, known for its autonomous sidewalk delivery robots, has acquired Vayu Robotics. The deal, valued between $45 million and $50 million, brings together Vayu’s AI foundation models and simulation-powered data engine with Serve’s operational expertise.
Investment activity remains robust. Nuro’s Series E round has now reached $203 million, with new backing from Nvidia and continued support from Baillie Gifford, among others. Uber’s previously undisclosed multimillion-dollar commitment forms part of this round, reinforcing confidence in Nuro’s autonomous delivery technology.
Other noteworthy deals include ARK Invest’s $12.9 million stake in Pony.ai, Grid Aero’s $6 million seed round, and Group14’s impressive $463 million raise backed by SK, Microsoft, and Porsche. Oway also closed a $4 million seed round to advance its decentralized freight platform, while Via’s potential IPO could raise up to $500 million.
Several updates caught our attention this week. Hertz will now sell preowned vehicles through Amazon Autos, and Redwood Materials is collaborating with Caterpillar to recycle battery packs from electric loaders. Tesla plans to integrate voice-assistant functions using AI from DeepSeek and Doubao, and Zoox has partnered with The Routing Company to enhance its robotaxi service efficiency.
Volkswagen faces a lawsuit in New Jersey over allegedly oversensitive steering wheel buttons in models like the ID.4. In a landmark move, Waymo received approval to test its autonomous vehicles in New York City, marking the first such permit issued by the city. Testing is expected to begin immediately.
On the lighter side, Zipline and Chipotle have teamed up for drone delivery in the Dallas area, blending tech and tacos in a partnership aptly nicknamed “Zipotle.”
For those interested in leadership insights, Vanity Fair recently profiled Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, exploring her management style and career journey. Mawakana is also scheduled to appear at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco this October.
(Source: TechCrunch)
