Travis Kalanick is leveraging a $1.7 billion funding round to expand his new venture, Atoms, which he describes as a physical AI company. The startup is planning a hiring spree to attract autonomous engineering talent, aiming to develop robotaxi technology by reuniting with former Uber autonomous vehicle team members.
Kalanick's return to the ride-hailing sector follows his 2017 departure as CEO of Uber and his 2019 exit from the board. The project is led by autonomous vehicle work overseen by Waymo co-founder and former Uber self-driving chief Anthony Levandowski.
Atoms has held early talks with Uber about integrating its technology into Uber's ride-hailing network. Uber has invested $100 million in the startup, establishing a partnership where Uber can utilize Atoms' technology for its ridesharing business.
Kalanick views industrial AI—comprising software, sensors, and robotics—as the driver of the next Industrial Revolution. He identifies mining, construction, heavy transport, and food production as trillion-dollar industries poised for digital transformation over the next decade.
