Kalanick's Atoms Recruits Uber AV Veterans for Robotaxi Push
What's the deal? Uber co-founder Travis KalanickDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → is developing robotaxi technology at his new venture Atoms, reuniting with former members of Uber's autonomous vehicles team, according to the Financial Times. The push follows Atoms' $1.7 billion fundraise led by Andreessen Horowitz, announced in July. Uber has also invested $100 million in the company.
Why now? A tie-up with Uber would mark Kalanick's first involvement in ride-hailing since he left the company's board in 2019, two years after being forced out as chief executive amid scandals. "A lot of the things that would have happened with Uber over time are things we're doing now," Kalanick said this month at an Andreessen Horowitz event.
Company denial: Atoms disputes the framing. It said it is "an industrial software company focused [on] industrial applications" with "no plans to enter the saturated robotaxi market," adding that Uber is a partner that "can use our technology for its ridesharing business if it is helpful."
The M&A: Atoms acquired Anthony Levandowski's startup Pronto, an automation company focused on heavy industry and mining, in March. Kalanick launched Atoms the same month by rebadging his real estate group, City Storage SystemsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the holding company behind dark-kitchen operator CloudKitchens.
The hire: Kalanick brought on Pronto founder and former Uber self-driving chief LevandowskiDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → to lead Atoms' autonomous vehicle work, including robotaxi development, the people said. Levandowski's theft of trade secrets from Google's self-driving unit contributed to Kalanick's Uber ousting and cost the company nearly $350 million in legal settlements; he was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2021.
The team: Kalanick has turned to several former Uber colleagues, including ex-finance chief Gautam GuptaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, now Atoms' chief financial officer. Eric MeyhoferDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, who succeeded Levandowski as Uber's robotaxi development chief, runs Atoms' Lab37Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → kitchen-automation arm and has recruited from Amazon's Zoox, Tesla, and Alphabet's Waymo.
What's the endgame? Atoms has more than 2,000 employees across its various arms, most in its food division, though a growing number focus on autonomous vehicles. The company plans a hiring spree, including potential acquisitions, to bring in autonomous engineering talent.
The signal: Atoms is taking a similar approach to AV companies such as Wayve and Nuro, which want to build the technology for robotaxis but not the vehicles themselves. If the Uber talks advance, Kalanick's "physical AI" bet could put him back in the market he helped create — nearly a decade after leaving it.
Read more: TechCrunch, Financial Times
Image credit: jurvetson
