TechCrunch Mobility: Applied Intuition’s Soaring Valuation, Micromobility’s Evolution, and Waymo’s Busy Week

Welcome to the latest edition of TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for insights and news on the future of transportation. This week, we delve into Applied Intuition’s impressive valuation, the resurgence of micromobility, and the dynamic developments at Waymo.

Waymo’s Rollercoaster Week:

Waymo, despite being the largest commercial robotaxi operator with 250,000 weekly paid rides, is experiencing a period of significant change. Recent events highlight the complexities of the autonomous vehicle business. The company had to limit its service nationwide on June 13 due to scheduled protests. However, just days later, Waymo announced an expansion of its robotaxi service area by 80 square miles in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley.

Adding to their ambitious plans, Waymo is now targeting New York City. The company is seeking a permit to test its autonomous vehicles in the city, although driverless testing will require a change in state law, indicating potential lobbying efforts ahead.

Deals: Applied Intuition’s Massive Series F Round:

Applied Intuition, a startup specializing in software for autonomous vehicle development, has secured a $600 million Series F and tender offer, co-led by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins. This round values the company at a staggering $15 billion. Other investors include Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Greycroft, General Catalyst, Lux, Elad Gil, and Bond.

This significant funding comes just a year after a $250 million Series E, which valued the company at $6 billion.

Other Notable Deals:

• Archer Aviation: Raised an additional $850 million following President Trump’s executive order to implement an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program in the United States.
• Senra Systems: Secured $25 million in a round co-led by Dylan Field (Figma), CIV, General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Sequoia Capital, 8VC, and Andreessen Horowitz.

Micromobility’s Evolution:

Micromobility is experiencing a resurgence, evolving from a public nuisance to a viable transportation mode. At the Micromobility Europe event in Brussels, industry leaders discussed the sector’s progress.

• Shared micromobility is becoming integrated into public transportation systems, with cities like Paris offering four-year contracts to operators.
• Europe is ahead of North America in accepting micromobility, with the U.S. lagging by 18 to 24 months.
• Companies are focusing on profitability and growth in core markets. Bird, for example, anticipates being 12 to 18 months away from free cash flow positivity.
• Operators are leveraging LLMs for user feedback analysis and considering acquisitions to expand their footprint.
• Companies plan to increase their e-bike offerings and use data to optimize vehicle deployment.
• Industry leaders are calling for greater support from cities in enforcing regulations and creating dedicated infrastructure.

Other Micromobility News:

• Honda: Launched the Fastport eQuad, an all-electric last-mile delivery vehicle.
• VanMoof: Re-entered the market with a new e-bike and a revamped repair network.
• A wave of early-stage micromobility startups is emerging in Europe.

Notable Reads and Tidbits:

Autonomous Vehicles:

• Zoox: Opened its first full-fledged production facility, targeting 10,000 robotaxis per year.

Electric Vehicles, Batteries, & Charging:

• Tesla: Partnered with Electrify Expo to launch full-weekend EV test drives.

Car-Sharing and Ride-Hailing:

• Zoomcar: Reported that a hacker accessed the personal data of at least 8.4 million customers.

Future of Flight:

• The Paris Air Show featured several key announcements, including:
• The FAA and other regulators collaborating on an advanced air mobility (AAM) roadmap.
• Archer Aviation showcasing its Midnight aircraft.
• Beta Technologies’ Alia becoming the first electric aircraft to fly at the show.