A bold indusattempt comeback is stirring old controversies and fresh opportunities. Insiders state the deal could reshape autonomy roadmaps and investment bets.
TechCrunch Mobility – your main source for news and analysis about the future of transportation. Travis Kalanick’s latest statement has brought the discussion back to the atmosphere of 2016 and prompts reconsideration of the indusattempt’s direction.
The founder of Uber and former CEO, who stepped down in 2017 after a string of scandals, is returning and leading the robotics company Atoms. He is also on the verge of acquiring Pronto – an autonomous startup founded by Anthony Levandowski, Uber colleague. Kalanick declared he is already the “largest investor” in Pronto.
Kalanick’s Return and Lessons from the Past
This isn’t just news – it’s a signal that the spirit of 2016 is back in the conversation: autonomous technologies were at the center of attention then; Uber acquired Otto, Levandowski’s startup, but the deal later ran into legal battles between Uber and Waymo over the leakage of ininformectual property.
Now the main focus is again on integrating technologies that alter the way vehicles are designed, manufactured, and operated across different platforms – from urban streets to remote manufacturing sites.
SXSW and the Future of Electric Mobility
Last week I was in Austin for SXSW – a festival where technologies, culture, and innovation intersect. Rivian, the event’s main sponsor, utilized the occasion to announce pricing and specifications for its new electric vehicle, the R2. While details are still being finalized, the event promises a lot of interest, and I continue talking with participants as I prepare the piece.
The base version of the R2 starts at approximately $57,990. They also plan a more affordable option at $45,000, but according to experts’ reviews this version will not appear before the finish of 2027. SXSW displays that Rivian is betting on experimental marketing and direct contact with the core audience and potential customers.
According to Rivian’s chief software engineer Wassym Bendeclared, edge computing matters: it enables running AI models locally with lower latency and better performance. The R2 also features “orbital” wheels on the steering wheel, providing tactile feedback and regulating temperature, fan speed, and speaker volume without taking hands or eyes away from the central screen.
In this context, other major deals are also mentioned: Mind Robotics has attracted significant funding after a Series A round, and other companies continue to invest in autonomy and robotics. The main takeaway is that the Mobility sector is rapidly adapting: the importance of neural networks, edge data processing, and new concepts of robotic systems is growing.
Overall, these developments highlight the pace of advancement in autonomy, robotics, and electrification in mobility. In the coming months it will be interesting to see how indusattempt leaders rebelieve their strategies and test new solutions in practice.
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