TechCrunch Mobility: Carma Challenges Uber’s Ride-Sharing Dominance, Tesla’s European Troubles, and Delivery Robots Hit Texas

Welcome to TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for the latest news and insights in the world of transportation. This week’s edition is packed with significant developments, ranging from a patent infringement lawsuit that could shake up the ride-sharing industry to updates on electric vehicle performance and autonomous delivery solutions.

Carma Technology vs. Uber: A Patent Dispute with Teeth

Carma Technology, founded in 2007 by Sean O’Sullivan, is challenging Uber’s business model with a patent infringement lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Uber infringed on five of Carma’s patents related to matching riders with available vehicle capacity—essentially, the core of ride-sharing. According to IP attorney Larry Ashery, Carma isn’t just asserting five patents; they’ve had a sophisticated strategy of patent procurement for the past 18 years. These patents are part of a 30-patent family connected to the original filing date, making this a complex and challenging case for Uber, as they must defend against each asserted claim.

Autonomous Vehicle Innovations and Setbacks

The autonomous vehicle sector continues to evolve, with notable advancements and cautionary tales:

Bedrock Robotics: A stealth startup led by former Waymo executive Boris Sofman is developing self-driving kits for construction equipment and heavy machinery. The company has reportedly raised significant venture funds.
Rivr and Veho: Rivr’s dog-like delivery robots are being piloted by Veho in Austin, Texas, to handle last-mile parcel delivery directly to customers’ doors.
TuSimple (CreateAI): Despite security agreements, TuSimple allegedly sent sensitive self-driving data to a Beijing-owned firm, raising national security concerns.
Zoox: Following a collision, Zoox issued its second voluntary software recall in a month. However, they’ve also partnered with Resorts World Las Vegas as their official robotaxi partner.

Electric Vehicle Market: Tesla’s Challenges and New Entrants

Tesla is facing headwinds in several areas:

Cybertruck Issues: Unsold Cybertrucks are accumulating in Detroit, and owners trading in their vehicles are experiencing steep depreciation.
Sales Decline: Tesla’s sales in Europe and the U.K. have fallen by nearly half, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Volkswagen Fallout: Former Volkswagen executives received prison sentences for their roles in the 2015 emissions cheating scandal.

EV Battery Innovations and Grid Support

Volteras, a London-based startup, is building virtual connective tissue to allow plugged-in EVs to support the grid by offering their batteries. They recently closed an $11.1 million Series A round.

Stellantis Pivots from Amazon to Android for In-Car Tech

Stellantis is ending its partnership with Amazon to create in-car software and will instead pivot to an Android-based system.

Funding and Investment in Mobility Startups

Firefly Aerospace: Received a $50 million investment from Northrop Grumman to advance its Eclipse medium launch vehicle.
Pallet: Raised $27 million in a Series B funding round to scale its AI workforce for logistics.
Way Data Technologies: Raised €2.6 million in pre-seed funding for its fleet management startup.