Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility! In today’s edition, we’ll be diving into the latest news and insights on the future of transportation. From Tesla’s recent developments to new regulations on autonomous vehicles, we’ve got it all covered. So sit back, relax, and let’s get started!
First up, let’s talk about Tesla. The week started off with news of layoffs, with about 10% of the company’s workforce being let go. CEO Elon Musk also made headlines with his declaration to go “balls to the wall” on autonomy. However, the week ended on a sour note with a Cybertruck recall. Despite these ups and downs, it’s clear that Tesla is still making waves in the industry.
Moving on from Tesla, let’s discuss some other notable stories. Serve Robotics, a sidewalk robot delivery company backed by Nvidia and Uber, made its public market debut this week. The company expects to raise around $40 million in funding, which will be used for research and development of future robots, expansion to multiple U.S. cities, and more. Serve’s goal is to increase its fleet from 100 robots to 2,000 robots by the end of 2025, with plans to generate between $60 million and $80 million in annual revenue by that same deadline.
In regulatory news, our little birds in Washington, D.C. have informed us that federal regulators are getting close to publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on autonomous vehicle regulations. This would be the first set of federal guardrails proposed for the industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to release a proposal by this summer or fall, establishing a minimum safety standard for AVs to operate on public roads. However, state governments may have the power to enforce stricter regulations within their own borders. This development marks a significant step forward in the long-awaited federal AV regulations.
Now, let’s turn our attention to some interesting deals that caught our attention this week. Found Energy, a startup that uses waste aluminum to generate heat and hydrogen, raised a $12 million seed round. This innovative solution not only addresses environmental concerns but also has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry. Getir, a Turkish delivery company worth $12 billion, is reportedly considering asset sales and exits from non-core markets due to investor pressure to cut losses. Lastly, Swtch Energy, a company specializing in EV charging solutions for apartment buildings, raised $27.2 million in a Series B funding round to expand its charging network and improve its technology.
In the world of autonomous vehicles, Mobileye has secured orders to ship 46 million of its EyeQ6 Light ADAS chips to automakers over the next few years. These chips promise improved sensing capabilities on wet roads, detection of objects at greater distances, and better text recognition on road signs. This advancement in ADAS technology is expected to be well-received by automakers. On the other hand, Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, has begun data collection and mapping in Atlanta. While there is no official announcement regarding a commercial launch in the city, this development suggests that Waymo is expanding its presence.
In the realm of electric vehicles, General Motors has launched a home EV charger and vehicle-to-home (V2H) kit that allows homes to draw energy from an EV battery during blackouts. This innovative solution offers a backup power source and further highlights the advantages of EVs. Gogoro, a battery-swapping company, and TSMC, a semiconductor company, have partnered to introduce GoStations across Taiwan that use 100% clean energy. They will also be launching a scooter-sharing service and expanding the charging network. These initiatives aim to promote sustainable transportation in the region.
Lastly, let’s delve into the world of Tesla once again. The week kicked off with company-wide layoffs that affected approximately 10% of the workforce. Two high-profile executives also departed from the company. Despite these changes, Tesla’s proxy statement calls for the reinstatement of CEO Elon Musk’s $56 billion payout. However, a Delaware judge voided this payout earlier this year, adding further complexity to the situation. Tesla also made headlines by ditching EV inventory price discounts and announcing plans to build an electric big rig charging corridor from Texas to California. Additionally, the company had to recall 3,878 Cybertrucks due to faulty accelerator pedals.
That wraps up this week’s edition of TechCrunch Mobility! We hope you found these insights and news stories informative and thought-provoking. Join us next week for more updates on the future of transportation.
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