TechCrunch Mobility: Jony Ive’s LoveFrom & Rivian, Uber’s Autonomy Play

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility! This week, we delve into the intriguing intersection of design, electric vehicles, and autonomous technology. Let’s explore the key developments shaping the future of transportation.

Musk and Politics: A Familiar Roller Coaster

Elon Musk’s recent public disagreements are nothing new. His history includes forming strong alliances only to dismantle them later. As Tim De Chant pointed out, Musk is getting a harsh introduction to politics, but his embrace of risk suggests his behavior won’t change easily. Expect a cycle of peace and public outbursts. The effects of this fallout could impact Tesla’s sales and how the proposed “Big, Beautiful Bill” affects the company. Keep an eye on Tesla’s robotaxi experiment in Austin and how Musk’s relationship with the Department of Transportation evolves, especially concerning autonomous vehicle legislation like the Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act.

LoveFrom’s Touch on Rivian’s Micromobility

Following Rivian’s spin-off of micromobility startup Also, details have emerged about Jony Ive’s firm, LoveFrom, collaborating with Rivian’s design team. LoveFrom worked alongside Rivian’s design team and the staff under the skunkworks program to design Rivian’s first electric bike. Get the full story on TechCrunch.

Deals on Wheels (and Wings!)

Joby Aviation and Abdul Latif Jameel: Joby Aviation and Saudi Arabian conglomerate Abdul Latif Jameel signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a distribution agreement for up to 200 electric aircraft. The partnership could expedite Joby’s entry into the Saudi Arabian market, but turning an investor into a customer can create complications.

Other deals worth noting:

Obvio: The AI-powered stop sign camera startup, raised $22 million to expand beyond Maryland.
Portless: This e-commerce fulfillment startup raised $18 million using a Shein-like model for tariff management.
Toma: An AI voice startup for car dealerships, raised $17 million led by a16z.

Uber’s Autonomy Focus

Uber’s recent executive changes and CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s comments clearly indicate a strong push towards autonomy. The appointment of Andrew “Mac” Macdonald as president and COO, overseeing mobility, delivery, and autonomy, underscores this strategic shift. Khosrowshahi emphasized Uber’s commitment to supporting the AV ecosystem, highlighting their investments in companies like Aurora and Waabi. He sees autonomous vehicles as a safer mode of transport that can expand access to safe transportation in cities. In other news, Uber has introduced a simpler UI for older users.

Notable Reads and Tidbits

Autonomous Vehicles

Tesla: Tesla has filed new trademark applications for “Tesla Robotaxi”.

Electric Vehicles, Batteries, & Charging

Redwood Materials: Redwood Materials declined a Department of Energy loan due to the lengthy process and associated costs, opting for private funding instead.

Future of Flight