Waymo & Nuro: TechCrunch Mobility News

TechCrunch Mobility: Navigating the Future of Transportation

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Missed Opportunities at Monterey Car Week

Regrettably, I was unable to attend Monterey Car Week this year. Several unveilings piqued my interest, including the fully electric Cadillac Opulent Velocity.

The Chevrolet Corvette CX and CX.R Vision Gran Turismo concepts, as well as the Lucid Gravity X reveals, were also highlights.

However, the expansive grounds of The Quail and the traditional attire seen at Pebble Beach Golf Course were not ideal environments given my recent foot injury and subsequent immobilization. I anticipate attending next year!

Forecasting the Post-Tax Credit Landscape

I’m reaching out to you, our valued reader, to gather your perspectives on the future facing automakers and electric vehicle (EV) sales within the United States. This is in anticipation of the federal EV tax credit’s expiration on September 30th.

Anticipating Automaker Responses

My assessment is that manufacturers will need to implement strategies to incentivize customers in the near future.

This need extends beyond the impending expiration of the EV tax credit.

Factors beyond the credit will necessitate proactive measures to maintain sales momentum.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts on how the automotive industry will adapt to these changing conditions.

Serve Robotics Acquires Vayu Robotics

Serve Robotics, a company specializing in autonomous sidewalk delivery via robotic systems, has recently announced the acquisition of Vayu Robotics. Vayu Robotics is a startup focused on the creation of AI foundation models and a data engine for robots, powered by simulation.

The financial details of this transaction were not publicly revealed by either company.

Deal Valuation

However, through estimations and informed sources, it has been determined that Serve Robotics likely paid between $45 million and $50 million to acquire Vayu Robotics.

This valuation reflects the strategic importance of Vayu’s technology in advancing Serve Robotics’ capabilities.

AI Foundation Models are crucial for enhancing the intelligence and adaptability of autonomous robots.

The simulation-powered data engine developed by Vayu Robotics allows for robust testing and refinement of robotic systems in a virtual environment.

Contact Information

Tips and inquiries can be directed to Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or via Signal at kkorosec.07.

Sean O’Kane can also be reached at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.

Recent Investment Activity

A few weeks prior, a collaborative agreement involving Uber, the autonomous vehicle technology company Nuro, and electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid was brought to attention. Details regarding this arrangement can be found in a previous report, with the key takeaway being Uber’s pledge to contribute an unspecified “multimillion-dollar” sum to Nuro. Information received suggests this investment exceeds the $300 million Uber previously allocated to Lucid.

Nuro has successfully secured additional funding through a Series E round, totaling $203 million. This round attracted a diverse group of new investors, including Nvidia, Baillie Gifford, Icehouse Ventures, Kindred Ventures, and Pledge Ventures. A segment of Uber’s investment was directed towards this Series E funding.

Notable Investment Highlights

ARK Invest, managed by Cathie Wood, has reportedly invested approximately $12.9 million in the Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai, as confirmed by the company itself.

Grid Aero, a company specializing in aerospace technology, has obtained $6 million in seed funding from Calibrate Ventures and Ubiquity Ventures.

Group14, a startup focused on battery materials, has raised $463 million in a funding round spearheaded by battery manufacturer SK. Participation in this round included ATL, Lightrock, Microsoft, Porsche, and OMERS. Concurrently, Group14 announced the complete acquisition of its joint venture with SK in South Korea.

Oway, established in 2023 and supported by Y Combinator and General Catalyst, has recently finalized a $4 million seed round. Further information is available regarding the company’s strategy to develop a decentralized freight network, functioning as a “Uber for freight.”

Regarding the planned Via IPO, Renaissance Capital projects potential proceeds of up to $500 million.

Industry Updates and Recent Developments

Hertz is initiating the sale of used vehicles through the Amazon Autos platform.

Redwood Materials has announced a collaboration with Caterpillar focused on the recycling of battery packs originating from the company's battery-electric underground loaders.

Tesla intends to integrate advanced in-car voice assistant capabilities, leveraging artificial intelligence technologies from DeepSeek and ByteDance’s Doubao.

The Routing Company, a company specializing in efficient transit solutions, has secured Zoox as its inaugural robotaxi customer. Zoox will acquire a non-exclusive license for the company’s technology and integrate five of its engineers to enhance the service’s scalability and efficiency.

Volkswagen is currently defending against a legal challenge filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey concerning the steering wheel buttons found in vehicles like the ID.4. The claim centers around the buttons being overly sensitive and prone to accidental activation.

Waymo has received authorization to conduct testing of its autonomous vehicles within New York City, marking the first approval of its kind issued by the city. The company has indicated plans to commence testing without delay.

A novel delivery concept has emerged with the combination of drone technology and fast-casual dining. Zipline, a drone delivery service, is partnering with Chipotle to deliver orders via autonomous drones to customers in the Dallas metropolitan area.

A Profile of Waymo’s Tekedra Mawakana

Vanity Fair recently published an extensive profile of Tekedra Mawakana, the co-CEO of Waymo. The article delves into her professional background, leadership approach, and contrasts her style with that of Elon Musk.

Insights from the Vanity Fair Feature

The piece offers a detailed look at Mawakana’s career trajectory and the principles guiding her management decisions. It highlights a leadership philosophy distinctly different from more publicly flamboyant figures in the tech industry.

The author specifically points out Mawakana’s approach as being notably unlike that of Elon Musk. This distinction is a key takeaway from the in-depth reporting.

Upcoming Appearance at Disrupt 2025

We are pleased to announce that Tekedra Mawakana will be a featured speaker at Disrupt 2025. The event is scheduled to take place from October 27th to 29th in San Francisco.

This will be a valuable opportunity to hear directly from a leading figure in the autonomous vehicle space. Attendees will gain insights into Waymo’s future plans and Mawakana’s vision for the company.