Travis Kalanick’s startup Atoms, which raised a $1.7 billion funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz earlier this summer, appears to be preparing a major push into the autonomous vehicle industry. According to a Financial Times report, the company is planning a hiring spree and potential acquisitions that could position it as a significant player in the robotaxi sector. The report also indicates that Atoms has held talks with Uber about how the ride-hailing company might use its robotaxi technology. Uber has already invested $100 million in Atoms, a figure previously confirmed by TechCrunch.
The reported direction aligns with Kalanick’s earlier characterization of the funding round as unfinished business, suggesting he views the autonomous vehicle effort as a continuation of his prior work. Sources cited by the Financial Times emphasized that robotaxis do not represent the entirety of Atoms’ plans, but the focus on self-driving cars is a clear signal of its ambitions. Kalanick, who co-founded Uber, has remained relatively opaque about Atoms’ specific goals even after securing the mega-round.
The startup’s trajectory is further underscored by its acquisition of Pronto, an autonomous mining company led by Anthony Levandowski, who previously served as Uber’s self-driving chief. Levandowski was convicted of stealing trade secrets and sentenced to 18 months in prison, but was later pardoned by President Donald Trump. That acquisition, combined with the new funding, suggests Atoms is assembling both capital and specialized talent to compete in the autonomous vehicle market.
For US technology observers, the development is notable because it signals renewed activity from Kalanick in a sector he helped define through Uber’s early self-driving efforts. Atoms’ potential partnership with Uber would mark a strategic overlap, given that Uber has already partnered with a long list of autonomous vehicle companies. The reported $100 million investment from Uber creates a direct financial link between the two firms, even as Atoms explores independent robotaxi operations.
The Financial Times report does not specify a timeline for Atoms’ hiring or acquisition plans, nor does it detail the scope of any potential Uber collaboration. However, the combination of a $1.7 billion war chest, the Pronto acquisition, and ongoing discussions with Uber points to a startup intent on scaling quickly. Whether Atoms ultimately deploys its own robotaxi fleet or supplies technology to others remains an open question, according to the sources cited.
Kalanick’s history with Uber, including his ouster as CEO, adds a layer of context to Atoms’ moves, though the report offers no commentary on his past leadership. The startup’s focus on autonomous vehicles also comes at a time when the broader industry faces regulatory and technical hurdles, though the source article does not address those challenges directly. For now, Atoms appears to be laying the groundwork for a significant entry into the robotaxi business, with Uber potentially serving as both investor and customer.
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