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For regular Techcrunch mobility readers, you might ask yourself, “Why did this bulletin sit in my box on Friday?” Folks, we are moving days to try to bring you a more complete summary of the news of the week.
I spent the last week at SXSW, the annual festival of technique, film, comedy and music in Austin. I recommend moving through our direct blog to capture all transportation, he, social media, the creator’s economy – essentially technology – news that took place during the conference.
I have seen Austin evolve over the years with some good and bad results. Protected bicycle lanes have been a positive development, which I appreciated as I rode some lime and two fashionable e-bicycle bicycles around the city. Austin is also becoming a center for autonomous Avride vehicle activity based there, testing zoox on public roads and Waymo starting a commercial robotaxi service.
I have been lucky enough to match the two robotaxis Waymo all travel greetings occur through Uber app, so it’s never a guarantee. I also had a coordinated Waymo match courtesy. As I wrote earlier this week, it is absolutely wild that Waymo and Uber are working together. That’s why.
Oh, and here is what I discovered on my Waymo-Ober Robotaxi journey. Tip: Some updates on the user interface.
A small bird
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Deals!
Old Sean O’Kane reporter got a deep diving in a new venture firm called Leitmotif This has been quietly making a lot of agreements for the last 16 months. The firm, which has funded about 20 startups, focuses widely on decarbonizing with a portfolio that includes EV companies, space and battery games, and four nuclear melting startups.
This is not the interesting part. Here’s what it is: all the money in its fund came from the Volkswagen Group. Look at the full story of why the German automobile giant has engaged $ 300 million for Leitmotif’s first fund.
Other deals that got my attention
CarpoolA vehicle logistical platform collected $ 12 million in a series A -led series -led funding round of partners’ growth, with participation by Carmax, founders of Impel Devin Daly and Michael Quigley, and David Metter automotive veteran.
Daqus EnergyA start -out battery material collected $ 6 million in a round of seed led by Morningside with participation by nameless individual investors.
NirvanaAn insurance platform that uses real -time direction telematics and 20 billion miles of truck driving data to build and manage truck insurance policies collected $ 80 million in a round of Serie C funding by General Catalyst. Venture Lightspeed partners also participated in Valor Equity Partners. The investment estimates Nirvana with $ 830 million after money.
North Filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, the latest blow to Europe’s efforts to create a battery production fraud that can rival Chinese giants.
Visible readings and other announcements
Adas
Redeem Rolled a hand -free version of his system for the driver’s help to run the highway, which the founder and CEO RJ Scaringe discussed on stage at SXSW in Austin. The new hand -free feature puts Rivian in competition with Ford and GM, which have similar hand -free systems that control direction, acceleration and inhibition in certain conditions and locations.
Autonomous vehicles
Cuddle He joined the beginning of that Yaak to expand the Lerobot-a collection of open models of he, data and tools to help build real world robotics systems-with a training to allow robots and cars to sail in environments like autonomous ways.
Truck General partner VC Reilly Brennan There was an interesting column, don’t go to travel.
Travis kalanickUber’s former -Ceo thinks the company’s decision to abandon its autonomous management program was a mistake. Memory: Uber ATG was burning with money when it was sold in Aurora in 2020.
path Continues to expand – this time in Silicon Valley. And this expansion has come with hundreds of parking tickets.
Electric vehicles, charging and batteries
Mint 400 The off-road racing placed two EV-one truck Rivian r1t and a concept of chevrolet Silverado EV2 Tasting Truck Truck.
Rad power lost her CEO and won a new one in a few days space.
President Donald Trump He said he would label violence against Tesla traders like family terrorism – another sign of his deep support for Elon Musk. Reporter Sean o’kane Notes, “Tesla takeovers” have exploded across the globe in Tesla traders while people protest those who see as a federal government’s hostile taking from Musk (who is CEO of Tesla and its biggest shareholder) and its government efficiency department. Some of the protests have resulted in inscriptions on Tesla signs, lit loading stations, and even Molotov cocktails have been laid in the draw of a trade.
This week’s wheels
This week I tried two electronic bicycles by Austin based Bicycle. I will focus on her newest one, Blockswhich began at the beginning of this week.
I spent 24 hours with BlocksA comprehensive bike with a soup look and beach. Grooves existed before, but fashion bicycles interrupted it. It has now returned and updated throughout, including frame, battery, torque sensor, smart screen and engine.
The bike itself is sporty and polished with many thoughtful details that make the price of $ 1,999 look like theft. The design is thoughtful with easy -to -read controls and easy to operate and an integrated bike blockage that is neatly folded into the frame.
Groove is a bike with help and pedals, and I saw it easy to change between different ways. I rarely rested only on drowning because the aid provided a lot of oomf. The bike has a load capacity of 275 pounds and reaches a high speed of 28 miles per hour. Groove has 50 miles of range; However, there is a double battery option that opens it up to 100 miles.
A note, though: wow, this bike is heavy. And while this is generally a good thing, people have to give themselves some time to adapt to its weight.
I also test Mod Connect, which allows users to join the wirelessly an ultra-Smart Lumos helmet to synchronize and control the turn signals directly from the bike. The bike -tied helmet made me feel much more visible to the drivers as I sailed on the busy streets of the city of Austin.
What is the “wheels of this week”? It is a chance to find out about the various transport products we are testing, whether it is an electric or hybrid car, an electronic bike, or even a trip to an autonomous vehicle.
