Travis Kalanick’s Atoms Explores Robotaxi Business With Autonomous Vehicle Expansion

Travis Kalanick’s startup Atoms may be preparing to enter the autonomous vehicle market, with reported plans that include potential robotaxi technology.

The company, which announced a $1.7 billion funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz earlier this year, has kept many details of its long-term goals private. A Financial Times report provides additional details about the startup’s plans, including possible expansion efforts and acquisitions.

According to the report, Atoms has discussed how Uber could potentially use its autonomous vehicle technology for robotaxi services. Uber already works with several autonomous vehicle companies as part of its broader self-driving transportation strategy.

Sources cited in the report said robotaxis are not the only focus of Atoms’ business plans. However, the direction aligns with Kalanick’s previous description of the company’s funding round as “unfinished business.”

Atoms’ autonomous vehicle ambitions also align with its acquisition of Pronto, a self-driving mining technology company led by Anthony Levandowski, Uber’s former head of self-driving. Levandowski was previously convicted of stealing trade secrets and later received a presidential pardon.

The reported moves suggest Atoms is positioning itself as a potential participant in the autonomous transportation sector, although the company’s full strategy has not been publicly disclosed.