Atoms, led by Travis Kalanick, announced a $1.7 billion funding round earlier this summer, led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup is reportedly preparing for a hiring and acquisition spree, aiming to become a major player in the autonomous vehicle industry, according to a Financial Times report.
The Financial Times noted that Atoms has discussed potential collaborations with Uber, including how the ride-hailing company could integrate the startup’s robotaxi technology. Uber has already partnered with a long list of autonomous vehicle companies and has invested $100 million in Atoms, a figure previously confirmed by TechCrunch.
"This direction seems consistent with Kalanick’s description of the round as 'unfinished business,'" said a source familiar with the discussions. The move also aligns with Atoms’ acquisition of Pronto, an autonomous mining startup led by Uber’s former self-driving chief Anthony Levandowski.
The report emphasized that robotaxis do not represent the entirety of Atoms’ plans, but the direction fits with Kalanick’s vision for the startup. The company has not yet disclosed specific timelines or targets for its robotaxi initiatives.
Atoms did not say when it plans to launch its robotaxi services or which markets it will target first. The startup is also exploring other opportunities beyond autonomous vehicles, according to the report.
Source: techcrunch
