Travis Kalanick's Atoms secures $1.7 billion with backing from Uber

Atoms, a holding company born from Kalanick’s ghost kitchen project, is pivoting toward industrial automation. The company recently acquired Pronto, an autonomous trucking startup founded by Anthony Levandowski, who was famously at the center of a trade secret lawsuit between Waymo and Uber in 2017. The new capital, led by Andreessen Horowitz with participation from Bain Capital and Fifth Wall, aims to scale practical, OEM-agnostic autonomy for mining and transport sectors. Ben Horowitz is set to join the board as part of the deal.

While this investment suggests a strategic alignment, the broader mobility landscape remains volatile. Tesla recently signaled a retreat from its 2026 production targets for the Cybercab and Semi, with quarterly data revealing a 36% drop in paid robotaxi miles for its Model Y fleet. Meanwhile, other players are shifting tactics: Aurora has deployed its second-generation driverless trucks on the Dallas-to-Houston route, and Ford has announced plans to integrate Apple Maps into its upcoming electric vehicle line. As the sector matures, companies like Waymo are reportedly reevaluating their long-term partnerships, including the existing contract with Uber set to conclude in 2028.