TechCrunch Mobility: Zoox prepares for launch and Uber’s AV empire
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, the role AI is playing in it.
Amazon-owned Zoox will commence charging for robotaxi rides in just a few days, marking a significant step for the company's autonomous vehicle (AV) venture. This move comes after Zoox received an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to operate a fleet of up to 2,500 vehicles commercially for two years.
The exemption allows Zoox to function without many traditional vehicle controls, such as a steering wheel and pedals, as it primarily relies on sensors and other advanced technologies for navigation and safety. This development has the potential to influence other AV developers, like Tesla, who are also working on robotaxis.
Meanwhile, Uber's extensive AV empire has been the subject of a comprehensive assessment, revealing that the company has invested approximately $10 billion over the coming years to deploy 120,000 driverless vehicles. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed this commitment during the company's latest earnings call. Additionally, Moove, a ride-hail fleet owner with a diverse portfolio across 13 countries, has expanded its operations to include autonomous vehicles.
The company has raised $250 million in a Series C funding round, which it plans to use for scaling its AV fleet management business.
Other notable deals include Accell Group Holding, a Dutch bike manufacturer, which is now undergoing insolvency proceedings; Advanced Electric Machines Group, a UK-based firm focusing on electric motors; Chargepoly, a French company specializing in heavy-duty vehicle electrification; Hadrian, a defense tech company; Matel Motion & Energy Solutions, an India-based energy-efficient motors company; River, an Indian electric vehicle startup; and Ford's upcoming midsize EV, the Fathom.
Ford plans to launch the Fathom at $28,350 in 2027. Lastly, Joby Aviation, an electric vertical takeoff and landing company, announced a partnership with Travis Kalanick's AI and industrial automation startup, Atoms, to develop a network of transportation hubs for air taxis and autonomous ground vehicles in Florida, New York, Texas, and California.
Written by urgent.news from TechCrunch's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
