After completing a $1.7 billion funding round, Atoms, founded by Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, is reportedly shifting its expansion focus toward autonomous driving. Recent reports indicate that the company is preparing for large-scale hiring and considering acquisitions to accelerate its strategy, with one potential target being its robotaxi business.
Accelerating expansion after financing
This summer, Atoms announced the completion of a $1.7 billion funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. At the time, Kalanick did not elaborate on the specific use of these funds. Now, the Financial Times has revealed that Atoms is preparing for a new phase of expansion, aiming to strengthen its presence in the autonomous driving industry through talent acquisition and mergers and acquisitions.
From the disclosed information, Robotaxi is not the only focus for Atoms, but it has become the primary area of external attention. The report suggests that this strategic move aligns with Kalanick’s previous characterization of this funding round as an “unfinished business.”
Technical integration with Uber has been discussed.
Reports indicate that Atoms has discussed with Uber how the company might use its robotaxi technology in the future. Given Uber’s recent partnerships with multiple autonomous driving companies, such discussions are not surprising.
The report also mentioned that Uber has invested $100 million in Atoms. TechCrunch previously confirmed this investment. If the two parties deepen their collaboration in the future, Atoms could leverage Uber’s existing transportation platform to accelerate its path to commercialization.
Acquiring Pronto provides a ready-made team.
Atoms previously acquired the autonomous mining company Pronto, led by Anthony Levandowski, former head of Uber’s autonomous driving division. This acquisition is seen as a significant step for Atoms in gaining access to autonomous driving technology and talent.
Lewandowski was previously convicted of stealing trade secrets and sentenced to 18 months in prison, before receiving a pardon from former U.S. President Trump. This report does not indicate that this background directly impacts Atoms’ current expansion plans, but Pronto’s addition means Atoms now has an existing foundation ready to advance its autonomous driving business.
Overall, following its large funding round, Atoms is shifting from a relatively vague narrative to a more concrete industrial strategy. If hiring, acquisitions, and discussions regarding a partnership with Uber continue to progress, the company’s role in the robotaxi sector may become clearer more quickly.