TechCrunch Mobility: Applied Intuition’s Soaring Valuation, Micromobility’s Evolution, and Waymo’s Eventful 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’re diving into Applied Intuition’s impressive valuation, the evolving landscape of micromobility, and the rollercoaster that was Waymo’s week.
Waymo’s Wild Ride: Waymo, despite being the largest commercial robotaxi operator with 250,000 weekly paid rides, is navigating a dynamic and sometimes bumpy road. Recent events highlight the challenges and opportunities in the robotaxi business. The company had to limit its service nationwide due to scheduled protests. However, just days later, Waymo announced an expansion of its service area by 80 square miles across Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley.
Adding to the excitement, Waymo is now eyeing New York City. While this marks a significant step, it’s expected to be a long journey. Waymo is applying for testing permits, but driverless operations will require a change in state law, suggesting increased lobbying efforts in the future.
Applied Intuition’s Skyrocketing Valuation: Applied Intuition, a startup specializing in software for autonomous vehicle development, has secured $600 million in a Series F and tender offer. This latest funding round, co-led by BlackRock-managed funds and Kleiner Perkins, has propelled the company’s valuation to an astounding $15 billion. Other investors included Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Greycroft, and existing investors such as General Catalyst, Lux, Elad Gil, and Mary Meeker’s Bond also participated.
This milestone arrives just a year after a $250 million Series E, which valued the company at $6 billion, underscoring its rapid growth and investor confidence.
Micromobility’s Maturation: Micromobility is experiencing a resurgence, transitioning from a disruptive nuisance to a recognized mode of public transportation. At the Micromobility Europe event in Brussels, industry leaders like Voi CEO Fredrik Hjelm, Bird co-CEO Michael Washinushi, and Dott/Tier CEO Henri Moissinac discussed the industry’s evolution. Europe is ahead of North America in accepting micromobility solutions, and companies are focusing on profitability and strategic growth. Companies are looking into LLMs to turn user feedback into actionable insights. There’s also a move toward integrating more e-bikes into fleets and using data to optimize vehicle deployment. The industry urges cities to enforce scooter caps, regulate rider behavior, and invest in dedicated infrastructure such as protected bike lanes.
Micromobility News: Honda has entered the last-mile delivery market with the Fastport eQuad, an all-electric vehicle available in two sizes designed for bike-lane legality. VanMoof has returned with a new e-bike and a revamped repair network after bankruptcy, and several early-stage micromobility startups are emerging in Europe.
Additional Highlights:
Autonomous Vehicles: Zoox has inaugurated its first full-scale production facility, aiming for an annual production capacity of 10,000 robotaxis.
Electric Vehicles: Tesla is partnering with Electrify Expo to offer full-weekend EV test drives.
Car Sharing: Zoomcar, an Indian car-sharing marketplace, reported a data breach affecting 8.4 million users.
Future of Flight: The Paris Air Show featured the announcement from U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy that the Federal Aviation Administration and four other regulators will collaborate on an advanced air mobility (AAM) roadmap. Archer Aviation showcased its Midnight aircraft, and Beta Technologies’ Alia was the first electric aircraft to fly at the show.
