Robotaxi Expansion to Texas & Archer's $300M Funding

TechCrunch Mobility: Navigating the Future of Transportation

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Department of Transportation Funding Pause

Consider the Department of Transportation’s recent decision to temporarily suspend funding for a $5 billion electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure initiative. As reported by senior journalist Sean O’Kane, this action extends beyond a typical attempt by the Trump administration to curtail federal investments in renewable energy projects nationwide, a clear objective of the current president.

This situation also highlights a developing tension between the political views of Elon Musk and the sustainable energy objectives of his automotive company. Tesla, led by Musk and in which he holds the largest stake, was allocated $31 million through this program.

Staying Informed: Tesla's Dojo Program

We also proactively track specific areas of interest and deliver updates as necessary. Journalist Rebecca Bellan is consistently monitoring Tesla’s Dojo program, providing regular updates on its progress. You can find her latest report here.

Our goal is to provide clarity and insight amidst the complexities of the mobility landscape.

We believe in delivering information that is not only timely but also meaningful and relevant to your understanding of the future of transportation.

A Notable Personnel Shift

Information recently surfaced, corroborated by a post on LinkedIn, regarding a key appointment. Brian Lerner, previously a software engineer at Apple and, for the last four years, with Built Robotics, has accepted the position of director of factory software at Ford.

Details of the Appointment

The news was initially shared with me through a confidential source. This information was subsequently verified through a public announcement on the professional networking platform, LinkedIn.

Lerner’s expertise will be instrumental in Ford’s ongoing efforts to optimize its manufacturing processes through advanced software solutions.

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Do you have information you’d like to share? You can reach Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.

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Recent Investment Activity

another robotaxi operation heads to texas and archer scores $300m for its defense mission

Technologies with applications in both civilian and military sectors garnered significant investment throughout 2023 and 2024. Current projections indicate an even more substantial level of funding this year, as companies leverage the policy environment fostered by President Donald Trump.

Archer Aviation Secures Funding

Archer Aviation, a company specializing in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, has recently adjusted its strategic focus to capitalize on opportunities within the dual-use technology market.

Having become a publicly traded company in September 2021 through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger, Archer Aviation successfully raised $300 million from institutional investors. These investors included prominent firms such as BlackRock and Wellington. The acquired funds will primarily support the acceleration of collaborative efforts with Anduril, aimed at creating a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

This latest funding round brings Archer’s total capital raised to approximately $3.36 billion. As highlighted by reporter Rebecca Bellan, this new investment follows a $430 million round secured in December to specifically fund its newly established Archer Defense program.

It is worth noting that Archer Aviation initially centered its business strategy around establishing an air taxi network spanning multiple cities within the U.S. and internationally.

Other Notable Funding Rounds

Auto Hauler Exchange, a Michigan-based startup operating a digital marketplace for vehicle transportation, completed a $5 million Series A funding round. MHS Capital led the investment, with participation from Golden Ventures, who also spearheaded the company’s seed funding round.

Endera, an Ohio-based manufacturer of electric buses, secured $49 million through a combination of equity and debt financing. This included a $36 million equity investment led by Magnetar, alongside participation from Pulse Fund, and a $13 million credit facility.

GreenSpark Software, a New York City startup developing software solutions for the metal recycling industry, revealed last month that it had raised $9.4 million from investors including Zero Infinity Partners, Third Prime, Bienville Capital, and several undisclosed strategic investors. BMW i Ventures has now been identified as one of these strategic investors.

Innoviz, a lidar technology company, raised $40 million from institutional investors at a share price of $1.39. This discounted price resulted in a significant decline in the company’s stock value. As of Wednesday, the stock had decreased by 37% from its Friday closing price of $1.59.

Expansion and Infrastructure Investments

JLR is expanding its U.S. technology center in Portland with a $180 million investment planned over the next decade. This hub will focus on developing advanced connected car technologies and “autonomous driving technologies” for future JLR vehicles. The facility was initially opened in 2014, with subsequent expansions in 2016, 2017, and 2024.

Revel, initially known for its electric shared moped service, and now focused on EV charging infrastructure, has secured a $60 million loan from NY Green Bank. This loan will enable the company to more than triple its existing public fast-charging network within New York City.

Self Inspection, a San Diego-based startup offering an AI-powered vehicle inspection service, raised $3 million in a seed round. The round was co-led by Costanoa Ventures and DVx Ventures, founded by former Tesla president Jon McNeill. Westlake Financial, which processes over 1 million vehicle transactions annually, also participated in the investment.

Recent Developments in Automotive Technology and Mobility

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

BYD has introduced “God’s Eye,” a sophisticated driver-assistance system. This technology will be integrated across the entirety of their vehicle range, including the affordable $9,600 Seagull model.

A defamation case involving Tesla and Zhang Yazhou has concluded. Ms. Yazhou alleged a crash in a Tesla Model 3 was due to brake failure; however, released telemetry data indicated the braking system functioned correctly. The incident resulted in a four-day hospitalization for her parents.

Autonomous Vehicle Progress

Aurora Innovation remains on schedule for the commercial deployment of its autonomous trucking technology. Initial operations are anticipated to commence in April 2025, following a postponement to allow for further validation of the self-driving capabilities.

Lyft is planning the integration of fully autonomous robotaxis, utilizing Mobileye technology, into its ride-hailing application. Deployment is targeted for Dallas as early as 2026, with expansion to additional markets planned. Marubeni will own and finance the Mobileye-equipped vehicles.

The partnership between Lyft and Mobileye highlights a shift in autonomous vehicle activity. While California and Arizona were previously dominant, Texas is rapidly emerging as a key location for both testing and commercial operations. Cities like Austin are attracting significant investment from companies such as Tesla, Waymo, Uber, and Avride. Furthermore, Aurora and Kodiak Robotics maintain a presence within the state.

May Mobility has initiated its first fully driverless commercial service in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Unlike broader services, this deployment operates with a defined route, utilizing eight pre-determined stops.

Waymo is continuing to broaden the operational area of its robotaxi service, now including Westchester and portions of Inglewood and Crenshaw in Los Angeles. This expansion provides access to prominent venues like SoFi Stadium and HHLA Entertainment.

Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure

Mercedes-Benz is extending its EV charging network to Canada. Vancouver will be the first city to benefit, with expansion to the Toronto metropolitan area planned for 2026. The company currently has 300 charging stalls in operation or under construction across 11 U.S. states.

Rivian is now offering its commercial electric vans for sale to all U.S. businesses. This follows the termination of an exclusivity agreement with Amazon, which had previously limited sales.

Personnel Updates

Jonathan Morrison, a former Apple executive, has been appointed to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mr. Morrison previously served as chief counsel for NHTSA during the Trump administration and held positions at Auto Advisory Services and the California New Car Dealers Association.

Ride-Hailing and Gig Economy Performance

The latest earnings reports from leading ride-hailing companies, Lyft and Uber, provide insights into their recent performance.

Lyft reported record growth and achieved its first full-year of GAAP profitability in 2024, with a net income of $22.8 million. This contrasts with a net loss of $340.3 million in 2023. However, investor focus centered on lower-than-anticipated guidance for first-quarter gross bookings.

Lyft attributes the Q1 forecast to seasonal factors and the loss of a partnership with Delta, which has been secured by Uber. Notably, the company’s board authorized a $500 million share buyback program, a first for Lyft.

Uber exceeded revenue expectations in the fourth quarter, achieving a 20% increase to $11.96 billion. Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.84 billion for Q4 and $6.84 billion for the full year. Despite this, shares experienced a decline following the report of EPS falling short of analyst predictions and cautious forward guidance.

Uber projects gross bookings between $42 billion and $43.5 billion for Q1, lower than the $44.2 billion recorded in Q4 2024. Currency fluctuations, the impact of Los Angeles fires, and adverse weather conditions in January were cited as contributing factors by CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah.

Featured Vehicles

Due to the length of this current newsletter, the regular "This Week’s Wheels" segment will be omitted. Expect updates on new vehicle testing in future publications.

We are continuously evaluating a diverse range of transportation options. This includes electric vehicles, hybrid cars, e-bikes, and even opportunities to experience autonomous vehicle technology.

Understanding "This Week’s Wheels"

“This Week’s Wheels” provides insights into the various transportation products undergoing evaluation. Our testing process covers a broad spectrum of options.

The aim is to keep you informed about the latest advancements in personal and public transportation. We strive to offer comprehensive reviews and observations.