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For common readers of TechCrunch Mobility, it’s possible you’ll be questioning, “Why did this article land in my inbox on Friday?” Folks, we’re transferring days in an effort to deliver you a extra full rundown of the information of the week.
I spent the final week at SXSW, the annual tech, movie, comedy, and music competition in Austin. I like to recommend scrolling by means of our reside weblog to compensate for all of the transportation, AI, social media, creator financial system — mainly tech — information that occurred through the convention.
I’ve watched Austin evolve over time with some good and unhealthy outcomes. Protected bike lanes have been one constructive growth, which I appreciated as I rode just a few Lime scooters and two Mod Bikes e-bikes across the metropolis. Austin can also be changing into a hub for autonomous automobile exercise with Avride headquartered there, Zoox testing on public roads, and Waymo launching a business robotaxi service.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to be matched with two Waymo robotaxis — all ride-hails happen by means of the Uber app, so it’s by no means a assure. I additionally had one coordinated match courtesy of Waymo. As I wrote earlier this week, it’s completely wild that Waymo and Uber are working collectively. Here’s why.
Oh, and here’s what I found in my Waymo-Uber robotaxi trip. Hint: some updates to the consumer interface.
A bit of hen
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Deals!
Senior reporter Sean O’Kane took a deep dive into a brand new enterprise agency referred to as Leitmotif that’s been quietly making a great deal of offers for the previous 16 months. The agency, which has funded round 20 startups, broadly focuses on decarbonization with a portfolio that features EV corporations, area and battery performs, and 4 nuclear fusion startups.
That’s not the attention-grabbing half. Here’s what’s: All of the cash in its fund got here from the Volkswagen Group. Check out the total story about why the German automotive big has dedicated $300 million to Leitmotif’s first fund.
Other offers that acquired my consideration …
Carpool Logistics, a automobile logistics platform, raised $12 million in a Series A funding spherical led by Wavecrest Growth Partners, with participation from CarMax, Impel founders Devin Daly and Michael Quigley, and automotive business veteran David Metter.
Daqus Energy, a startup engaged on battery supplies, raised $6 million in a seed spherical led by Morningside with participation from unnamed particular person traders.
Nirvana, an AI-based insurance coverage platform that makes use of real-time driving telematics and 20 billion miles of truck driving information to construct and handle insurance coverage insurance policies for truckers, raised $80 million in a Series C spherical of funding led by General Catalyst. Lightspeed Venture Partners and Valor Equity Partners additionally participated. The funding values Nirvana at $830 million post-money.
Northvolt filed for chapter in Sweden, the most recent blow to Europe’s makes an attempt to create a battery-manufacturing juggernaut that might rival the Chinese giants.
Notable reads and different tidbits
ADAS
Rivian rolled out a hands-free model of its driver-assistance system for freeway driving, which founder and CEO RJ Scaringe mentioned onstage at SXSW in Austin. The new hands-free characteristic places Rivian in competitors with Ford and GM, which have comparable hands-free methods that management steering, acceleration, and braking below sure circumstances and areas.
Autonomous autos
Hugging Face teamed up with AI startup Yaak to broaden LeRobot — a set of open AI fashions, datasets, and instruments to assist construct real-world robotics methods — with a coaching set to permit robots and automobiles to navigate environments like metropolis streets autonomously.
Trucks VC common companion Reilly Brennan had an attention-grabbing column, Don’t mistake ridehailing for AV ridehailing.
Travis Kalanick, the previous CEO of Uber, thinks the corporate’s determination to desert its autonomous driving program was a mistake. Reminder: Uber ATG was burning by means of money when it was bought to Aurora in 2020.
Waymo retains increasing — this time in Silicon Valley. And that enlargement has include a whole bunch of parking tickets.
Electric autos, charging, & batteries
The Mint 400 off-road race put two EVs — a Rivian R1T truck and a Chevrolet Silverado EV ZR2 off-road race truck idea — to the take a look at.
Rad Power misplaced its CEO and gained a brand new one in a span of some days.
President Donald Trump stated he’ll label violence towards Tesla dealerships as home terrorism — yet one more signal of his deep help for Elon Musk. As reporter Sean O’Kane notes, “Tesla Takeovers” have been breaking out throughout the globe at Tesla dealerships as individuals protest what they see as a hostile takeover of the federal authorities by Musk (who’s CEO of Tesla and its largest shareholder) and his Department of Government Efficiency. Some of the protests have resulted in graffiti on Tesla indicators, charging stations set on hearth, even Molotov cocktails being thrown in a single dealership’s lot.
This week’s wheels
This week I attempted two e-bikes from Austin-based Mod Bikes. I’ll give attention to its latest one, the Groove, which launched earlier this week.
I spent 24 hours with the Groove, an all-electric step-through bike with a souped-up seashore cruiser feel and look. The Groove existed earlier than, however Mod Bikes discontinued it. Now it’s again and has been up to date all through, together with the body, battery, torque sensor, good show, and motor.
The bike itself is sporty and polished with plenty of considerate particulars that make the $1,999 worth look like a steal. The design is considerate with easy-to-read and easy-to-operate controls and an built-in bike lock that folds neatly on the body.
The Groove is a throttle and pedal help bike, and I discovered it simple to modify between the varied modes. I hardly ever relied on the throttle alone as a result of the help offered loads of oomph. The bike has a payload capability of 275 kilos and reaches a prime velocity of 28 miles per hour. The Groove has 50 miles of vary; nevertheless, there’s a dual-battery choice that pops it as much as 100 miles.
One notice, although: Wow, this bike is hefty. And whereas that’s typically an excellent factor, of us ought to give themselves a little bit of time to regulate to its weight.
I additionally examined Mod Connect, which permits customers to wirelessly pair a Lumos ultra-smart helmet to sync and management flip alerts instantly from the bike. The related bike helmet made me really feel way more seen to drivers as I navigated the busy streets of downtown Austin.
What is “This week’s wheels”? It’s an opportunity to be taught in regards to the totally different transportation merchandise we’re testing, whether or not it’s an electrical or hybrid automobile, an e-bike, or perhaps a trip in an autonomous automobile.
