TechCrunch Mobility continues to serve as an essential source for updates and insights on the transportation industry’s future. Although the regular segment “This Week’s Wheels” is on a temporary pause, coverage of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, e-bikes, and robotaxis will continue to hold readers’ attention.
Waymo has secured an agreement with the San Francisco Airport Commission, allowing its vehicles to map airport roadways. This development, which has captured extensive media interest, could potentially lead to expanding Waymo’s robotaxi services to the airport in the future. Currently, the focus remains solely on mapping, with vehicles being driven manually. Sources indicate that the agreement necessitates Waymo to provide detailed data after each mapping session, including information such as geographic location and vehicle identifiers. Additionally, the agreement forbids the use of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles for the transportation of commercial goods.
In funding news, several startups have made significant strides. Coreshell, specializing in battery materials, has secured $24 million in a Series A2 round, with Ferroglobe as a leading investor. Einride, a Swedish company in the driverless truck sector, is reportedly considering an Initial Public Offering with a potential valuation exceeding $5 billion. French EV subscription service Evera has raised 2 million euros, while African logistics software provider Leta received $5 million in seed funding. Pulsetrain, focused on battery technology, obtained €6.1 million in seed funding, and Seadronix, an autonomous ship navigation firm, raised $11.3 million in a Series B funding round.
Professional observers have noted some key industry trends. Nvidia’s commitment to self-driving vehicles was influenced significantly by developments over a decade ago, as highlighted by CEO Jensen Huang during a recent keynote. Following announcements at Nvidia’s GTC conference, partnerships with companies like Gatik, GM, and Torc were spotlighted. Meanwhile, Zoox has voluntarily recalled 258 vehicles due to a flaw in its autonomous driving system.
In the sphere of electric vehicles, BYD has introduced new charging technology that promises rapid charging times, rivaling traditional fueling cars. Additionally, Honda and its luxury brand Acura will soon gain access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. However, Tesla has faced a recall challenge with its Cybertruck model because of exterior panel issues. Analyst Dan Ives has suggested that Tesla CEO Elon Musk should focus on company challenges, as Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration has reportedly created a difficult situation for Tesla.
Joby Aviation has entered a partnership with Virgin Atlantic to launch electric air taxis in the U.K., expanding their reach to a seventh international market. In car technology, General Motors has joined forces with Nvidia to develop custom AI systems applicable in factories, robots, and vehicles. Clarity has been provided on Tesla’s new transportation charter permit from the California Public Utilities Commission, outlining its specific capabilities and restrictions.
