Kalanick's Atoms reportedly in talks with Uber on robotaxi tech

Travis Kalanick's startup Atoms may be moving into the robotaxi business, according to a Financial Times report cited by TechCrunch. The company is reportedly preparing a hiring spree and acquisitions that could make it a major player in autonomous vehicles, and has talked to Uber about how the ride-hailing company could use its robotaxi technology.

The report follows Atoms' $1.7 billion funding round announced earlier this summer, led by Andreessen Horowitz. Uber has already invested $100 million in Atoms, a figure TechCrunch previously confirmed. Kalanick, who founded Uber, has described the round as "unfinished business."

The robotaxi direction fits Atoms' acquisition of Pronto, an autonomous mining startup led by Anthony Levandowski, Uber's former self-driving chief. Levandowski was convicted of stealing trade secrets and sentenced to 18 months in prison before being pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Sources emphasized that robotaxis do not represent the entirety of Atoms' plans. Uber has already partnered with a long list of autonomous vehicle companies.