Uber Freight AI, Tesla Robotaxis & Nikola Trucks - TechCrunch Mobility

TechCrunch Mobility: Your Transportation News Source

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Memorial Day Travel Forecast

For our audience in the United States, we hope you have a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. If travel plans include hitting the road, be prepared for potentially heavy traffic.

AAA forecasts that 45.1 million individuals will journey at least 50 miles from their residences during the Memorial Day holiday, spanning from Thursday through Monday. Approximately 39.4 million of these travelers are anticipated to drive.

This Week's Headlines

Let's dive into the latest developments! This issue features updates from numerous companies, including Aurora, Uber, Tesla, and Waymo.

Furthermore, we'll highlight a selection of promising startups that may capture your interest.

Key Companies Featured

• Aurora
• Uber
• Tesla
• Waymo

Stay tuned for in-depth coverage of these industry leaders and emerging innovators.

Tech Mobility Roundup

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Alternatively, contact Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.

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Uber Freight's AI Investment

Uber Freight is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence. This move is intended to optimize its logistics operations and enhance efficiency.

The company believes AI will be instrumental in matching carriers with loads more effectively, reducing empty miles, and improving overall freight capacity.

Tesla's Robotaxi Plans

Tesla’s ambitions regarding robotaxis are facing scrutiny. While the company continues to develop its autonomous driving technology, the timeline for full self-driving capability remains uncertain.

Recent statements suggest a fully autonomous robotaxi may not be available as soon as initially projected, despite Elon Musk’s optimistic forecasts.

Nikola's Truck Auction

Nikola is auctioning off a portion of its electric trucks. This action comes as the company navigates financial challenges and adjusts its production strategy.

The auction represents a shift in Nikola’s approach, potentially signaling a recalibration of its market position within the electric vehicle sector.

Further Developments

• The integration of AI in logistics is becoming increasingly prevalent.
• Autonomous vehicle development continues to be a complex undertaking.
• Financial pressures are impacting the strategies of emerging EV manufacturers.

These trends highlight the dynamic nature of the tech mobility landscape.

Ongoing innovation and adaptation are crucial for success in this rapidly evolving industry.

Recent Investment and Restructuring News

Luminar, the lidar technology company that went public via a SPAC merger, is actively seeking additional funding. This is evidenced by a recently established agreement with Yorkville Advisors Global.

The deal potentially provides Luminar with up to $200 million over an 18-month timeframe through the issuance of convertible preferred stock.

Initially, $35 million in convertible preferred stock will be issued to investors. Further tranches, up to $35 million each, can be issued every 60 days at a price representing 96% of the stock’s stated value.

It’s worth noting that Austin Russell, the founder of Luminar, was recently replaced as CEO by the company’s board. This change coincides with the company’s third restructuring initiative within the past year.

Other Notable Transactions

SparkCharge, a provider of “charging-as-a-service” solutions for commercial vehicle fleets, has secured $15.5 million in a Series A-1 funding round. Monte’s Fam spearheaded the investment, with contributions from Cleveland Avenue, Collab Capital, Elemental Impact, MarcyPen, and non sibi ventures.

In addition to the equity financing, SparkCharge also obtained a $15 million venture loan from Horizon Technology Finance Corp., bolstering its financial resources.

Sylndr, a used car marketplace based in Cairo, Egypt, has raised $15.7 million to expand its services. These services include auto financing, vehicle servicing, and tools designed for automotive dealers.

Development Partners International’s Nclude Fund led the investment round. Sylndr has also secured approximately $10 million in debt financing from Egyptian banks over the last year.

Asset Liquidation

An auction is currently underway for Nikola’s hydrogen trucks, valued at around $114 million. This represents a significant step in the company’s asset liquidation process following its February bankruptcy filing.

The auction signifies one of the final stages in Nikola’s efforts to divest its holdings after declaring bankruptcy earlier this year.

Recent Developments in Mobility and Tech

Advancements in Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Aurora is now including human observers within its autonomous trucking operations, a decision made at the request of its partner, PACCAR. It’s important to note that these individuals are not safety operators capable of intervention; their function differs from those overseeing supervised hauls.

This development has sparked considerable discussion, leading to inquiries regarding the rationale and purpose of these observer roles.

Robert Falck, the founder of Einride, is transitioning away from his position as CEO. Roozbeh Charli, currently serving as Einride’s CFO, will assume the role of chief executive immediately.

Reliable Robotics, a company focused on autonomous aviation, has appointed Marc Stoll as its new CFO. Stoll brings extensive experience, previously holding the position of VP of Finance at Apple and also serving as a partner at Eclipse Ventures.

Zoox has successfully completed the initial mapping phase for its self-driving vehicles and is scheduled to begin testing in Atlanta later this summer.

The California Public Utilities Commission has granted Waymo permission to broaden its commercial robotaxi service area, extending it to additional communities south of San Francisco. Simultaneously, Waymo and Uber are preparing to offer robotaxi rides in Atlanta to customers who previously registered on a waitlist.

Tesla intends to restrict the operational areas of its robotaxis in Austin, Texas, confining them to zones the company identifies as “the safest.” This represents a significant shift in strategy for Elon Musk, who had previously asserted the development of a universally applicable self-driving system.

Updates on Electric Vehicles, Charging Infrastructure, and Batteries

Arc has introduced a new electric boat, the Arc Coast, priced at $168,000, featuring a center console design.

Senate Republicans have cast votes to revoke a waiver that permitted California to enforce more stringent vehicle air pollution standards. The state has historically received such waivers over 100 times since the granting of this right approximately 50 years ago.

Developments in the Gig Economy

Uber is planning to launch a business-to-business (B2B) logistics service in India, collaborating with a government-supported nonprofit organization. This initiative aims to challenge the dominance of Flipkart, the e-commerce company backed by Amazon and Walmart.

The Growing Influence of Artificial Intelligence

Uber Freight has recently launched a comprehensive suite of AI-powered features for shippers globally, integrated into its existing supply chain software. This includes an expansion of Insights AI, initially launched in 2023, alongside the introduction of over 30 AI agents designed to automate key tasks throughout the freight process.

Senior reporter Sean O’Kane conducted an interview with CEO Lior Ron to discuss the company’s investment in AI, covering the implementation, motivations, and future plans.

Recent Developments in the World of Vehicles

“This Week’s Wheels” returns, featuring Rebecca Bellan’s insights following her experience with the new Heybike Alpha. This robust e-bike, equipped with fat tires and designed for all-terrain use, is priced at $1,699.

A comprehensive review of the Heybike Alpha is available for perusal here.

Key Observations from the Review

Bellan’s assessment highlighted several positive aspects of the Alpha. Specifically, the mid-drive motor, coupled with a torque sensor, and the extended battery life proved to be significant advantages.

However, the experience wasn’t without its drawbacks. Some areas of concern included the assembly process, the functionality of the accompanying app, and the excessive volume of the horn.

Despite these minor issues, Rebecca concluded that the Alpha represents a well-rounded e-bike. It is suitable for both challenging off-road excursions and practical urban tasks, such as grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s.