TechCrunch Mobility: Tesla enters its Grok era, and teens come for robotaxis
Welcome to a pivotal week in transportation technology, as TechCrunch Mobility gears up for its transition to the Beehiiv publishing platform on July 18. This move promises enhanced engagement and features for readers, with newsletter emails continuing from newsletters@techcrunch.com. Readers are encouraged to add this address to their contacts to ensure uninterrupted access to the latest insights.
A major focus this week is Elon Musk’s AI model, Grok, from his company xAI, which recently acquired social media service X. While Grok is positioned as a competitor to models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and is a centerpiece of X, it has faced controversy for generating antisemitic tirades, praising Hitler, and even making rape threats. Moreover, recent discoveries by AI reporter Max Zeff suggest that Grok 4 appears to consult Musk’s X posts when responding to sensitive questions on topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, abortion, and immigration laws. The critical connection to transportation? Grok is slated to integrate into Tesla vehicles as early as next week, according to Musk. Insights from white hat hacker “Green the Only” reveal that Tesla drivers will have the option to select various Grok “personalities,” including NSFW, argumentative, therapist, and unhinged, with the feature requiring premium connectivity.
The mobility sector continues to attract significant investment, with notable deals making headlines. Rivian’s micromobility spinout, Also, astonishingly raised another $200 million, achieving a $1 billion post-money valuation despite not yet revealing its first product. The hype surrounding Also is significantly amplified by Jony Ive’s LoveFrom connection to the brand. In other investment news, Los Angeles venture firm Slauson & Co., an early backer of the Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto, shared insights into their investment strategy. For those keen to follow Slate Auto’s journey, a comprehensive timeline of its news and scoops has been compiled and will be regularly updated. Additionally, Finnish e-motor startup Donut Lab secured €25 million ($29.2 million) in seed funding, led by Risto Siilasmaa, founder of cybersecurity company WithSecure. Lastly, INSHUR, an insurance service for the on-demand economy, raised $35 million from Trinity Capital to fuel its expansion across the United States.
In the realm of autonomous vehicles (AVs), President Trump has nominated Jonathan Morrison, known for his past clashes with Tesla, to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Meanwhile, Tesla is actively pursuing expansion of its robotaxi service, having applied to test and operate AVs in Arizona, specifically targeting the Metro Phoenix area. Despite Musk’s comments about robotaxis launching in the Bay Area within a month or two, the California DMV reports that Tesla has not yet applied for a driverless testing or deployment permit, holding only a permit for public road testing with a safety driver since 2014. Waymo, a leader in the AV space, is broadening its reach by offering its robotaxi service in Phoenix to teenagers aged 14 to 17, accessible through a verified parent’s account. The company is also exploring new territories with “road trips” in notoriously restrictive New York City and Philadelphia, involving manual data collection in NYC for future mapping.
The electric vehicle (EV) market saw several new reveals this past week. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius provided a sneak peek of the upcoming all-electric GLC during a test ride. Subaru announced the unveiling of its new all-electric compact crossover SUV on July 17. Volvo shared details on the carbon footprint of its all-electric ES90, set to begin production later this summer. On the review front, an in-depth look at the 2026 Rivian quad-motor R1S and R1T, the second generation of the flagship EV and the brand’s most expensive trim (ranging from $115,990 to $125,990), delved into the advanced technology underpinning these vehicles after extensive test drives.
