TechCrunch Mobility: The Robotaxi Expansion That Really Matters

TechCrunch Mobility: Waymo's Critical Expansion

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Waymo's Focus Shifts to Freeways

Barely a day passes without an announcement from Waymo regarding its growth. Cities like Detroit, Las Vegas, Nashville, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., are among those slated to receive Waymo’s robotaxi service in the near future. However, a different type of “expansion” is arguably more significant, as previously discussed in this newsletter.

That expansion centers around freeways.

Freeway Access Now Operational

Following extensive testing and development, Waymo’s commercial robotaxi service is now utilizing freeways in the areas surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

This represents a pivotal expansion for the company. Freeways are the fundamental infrastructure connecting expansive metropolitan areas, such as the Bay Area. This newly available freeway access is directly contributing to Waymo’s expansion within that region, now covering 260 square miles and including both Silicon Valley and San Francisco.

Improved Efficiency and Airport Access

The integration of freeways also allows for more efficient routing of robotaxi rides. Waymo reports potential ride time reductions of up to 50%.

Furthermore, freeway access is crucial for Waymo to provide transportation to and from San Francisco Airport, a location currently undergoing testing.

The ability to seamlessly travel between the airport and destinations via freeway will be a major advancement for Waymo. Whether this will be sufficient to achieve profitability remains uncertain, pending a review of the company’s financial statements. It will undoubtedly be a convenient choice for travelers, but convenience doesn’t guarantee financial success.

More Mobility News

Read on for additional updates, including Einride’s pursuit of a SPAC deal, funding rounds for Harbinger and Teradar, an analysis of Via’s initial earnings report, and the impending closure of Rad Power Bikes. Don't forget to scroll down to view the results of the recent Tesla poll!

• Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service to include freeway access.
• This expansion covers the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
• Freeway access could reduce ride times by as much as 50%.

Lucid Motors CEO Search

Nearly nine months have passed since Lucid Motors CEO Peter Rawlinson stepped down from his position. The company has been operating without a permanent leader since that time.

However, a potential resolution to this leadership gap appears to be approaching. Sources indicate that Lucid Motors has identified a candidate for the role of CEO.

The anticipated appointment is expected to be an individual from outside the current Lucid Motors organization. This aligns with previous reports from August, detailing a broad search conducted by the company and its recruitment firm.

The search included proactive outreach to numerous potential candidates. Should this appointment occur, Marc Winterhoff is likely to resume his former position as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

He had previously held the COO role prior to Mr. Rawlinson’s departure.

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Recent Investment Activity

The autonomous vehicle sector continues to attract investment, with another company opting to become publicly listed through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). While the SPAC market isn't experiencing a full resurgence, these transactions remain a popular route for autonomous vehicle firms seeking capital.

Einride, a Swedish company specializing in electric and autonomous trucks, is planning to go public via a merger with Legato Merger Corp. This move follows a recent $100 million investment round, and values Einride at $1.8 billion in pre-money equity.

Notably, Einride currently generates revenue, a characteristic distinguishing it from some other transportation companies that have pursued SPAC mergers in recent years.

Currently, the company’s income is primarily derived from its software-as-a-service offerings and a fleet of 200 heavy-duty electric trucks utilized by major companies such as Heineken and PepsiCo. Its uniquely designed, pod-like autonomous trucks are still undergoing pilot testing.

The completion of this merger is anticipated in the first six months of 2026, after which Einride will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Further noteworthy deals from the past week include:

Funding Rounds and Partnerships

Forterra, a developer of autonomous technology for defense applications, secured $238 million in combined equity and debt financing. Moore Strategic Ventures spearheaded the equity portion, with Crescent Cove providing the debt component.

Gopuff, a rapid-delivery service, raised $250 million in a funding round led by Eldridge Industries and Valor Equity Partners. Additional investors included Baillie Gifford, Robinhood, Equalis Capital, George Ruan, Yakir Gabay, and Gopuff’s founders. Bloomberg reports this funding values the company at $8.5 billion, representing a decrease from its valuation in 2021.

Harbinger, an electric truck startup based in Los Angeles, completed a $160 million Series C funding round, co-led by FedEx. As part of this investment, FedEx has placed an order for 53 of Harbinger’s electric truck chassis.

Octopus Electric Vehicles, a U.K.-based electric vehicle leasing company, has secured a £2 billion ($2.6 billion) funding line through agreements with lenders including Lloyds Banking Group, Morgan Stanley, and Credit Agricole, as reported by Sky News.

Teradar, a Boston-based startup focused on solid-state sensor technology, raised $150 million in a Series B funding round. Investors included Capricorn Investment Group, Lockheed Martin’s venture arm, Ibex Investors, and VXI Capital, a new defense-focused fund led by the former CTO of the U.S. military’s Defense Innovation Unit.

Upway, a company specializing in e-bike refurbishment, secured $60 million in a Series C funding round led by A.P. Moller. Galvanize, Ora Global, and Sequoia Capital also participated in the round. The company has now raised over $125 million since its establishment in 2021.

Vay, a German startup that utilizes remote piloting for rental cars delivered to customers, announced a $60 million investment from Grab, a major Singaporean technology company. Subject to regulatory approval, expected by year-end, this deal could be followed by an additional $350 million contingent upon achieving specific milestones within the first year.

Recent Developments in the Automotive and Transportation Sectors

Ford is set to broaden the reach of its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology across Europe. This advanced system will be integrated into several vehicle models, specifically the Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga, and Ranger PHEV 5, with availability commencing in spring 2026.

Advancements in Vertical Take-Off and Landing Technology

Joby Aviation has successfully completed the inaugural flight of its turbine-electric, autonomously operated VTOL aircraft. It’s important to note that this demonstrator differs from the company’s fully electric air taxi, though it leverages the same foundational platform. The aircraft utilizes a hybrid turbine powertrain and is intended for defense-related applications.

Lyft Expands Ride-Hailing Options

A new partnership between Lyft and Curb, a ride-hailing service specializing in licensed taxis, has been established. Through integration with the Curb Flow platform, Lyft users will gain access to Curb’s driver network, initially in Los Angeles, with further city expansions planned.

Challenges for Rad Power Bikes

Rad Power Bikes, a prominent e-bike manufacturer, is facing potential closure. An internal email, reviewed by TechCrunch, indicates the company will cease operations in January unless it secures new funding or is acquired.

Tesla and Potential Software Integration

Speculation surrounds Tesla potentially incorporating Apple CarPlay into its electric vehicles. However, questions arise regarding the necessity of this integration at this juncture. Simultaneously, the company’s energy storage division is addressing an expanded recall of its Powerwall 2 product due to reported incidents of fires.

Concerns Regarding The Boring Company

The Boring Company, founded by Elon Musk, is once again under investigation. Reports indicate that firefighters conducting a safety exercise at a Las Vegas construction site sustained chemical burns from substances used during tunnel excavation. Further controversy surrounds these events.

Toyota's Investment in Battery Production

Toyota has initiated production at a new $13.9 billion battery manufacturing facility in North Carolina. This marks Toyota’s first battery plant constructed outside of Japan, and the company intends to invest an additional $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years.

Uber's New Initiatives

Uber is currently testing in-app video recording for drivers in India. In addition, the company is targeting a more affluent customer base through services like Uber Ski, allowing riders to pre-book transportation to approximately 40 popular ski resorts in North America and Europe, including Vail, Colorado, and Park City, Utah.

Via's Financial Performance

Via has released its first earnings report since becoming a publicly traded company, revealing a financial loss. The tech transit software company reported a loss of $36.9 million in the third quarter, representing a 73% increase year-over-year. Revenue increased to $109.6 million, a 32% year-over-year growth.

Recent Insights from Our Reader Poll

Last week’s newsletter featured a poll inquiring about the most probable product achievement for Tesla by the year 2035. The choices presented were directly derived from the ambitious objectives outlined in Elon Musk’s $1 trillion compensation plan.

• Delivery of 20 million Tesla vehicles
• Activation of 10 million Full Self-Driving subscriptions
• Distribution of 1 million robots
• Deployment of 1 million robotaxis for commercial use
• Failure to achieve any of these targets

The results indicate a divergence of opinion, with respondents primarily favoring either 20 million vehicle deliveries – garnering 34.7% of votes – or the belief that none of these goals will be met, receiving 32% of the vote.

A clear consensus emerged regarding the less likely prospects. Only 9.5% of participants anticipate the delivery of 1 million robots.

Furthermore, 12.6% believe 10 million active Full Self-Driving subscriptions will be attained, while 10.5% foresee 1 million robotaxis operating commercially within the next decade.

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Please note: A correction has been made regarding Via’s Q3 revenue, which is now accurately reported as $109.6 million.