Welcome to JS Mobility: Aurora’s Last-Minute Triumph
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Today, I, Rebecca Bellan, will be taking over from the usual host, Kirsten, to bring you an exciting update on Aurora Innovation and its recent success.
Aurora had set ambitious goals to launch the U.S.’ first fully autonomous commercial trucking service in April of this year, moving up its original 2024 debut date. With just moments to spare, Aurora managed to pull off a remarkable feat.
The company has successfully completed over 1,200 miles of freight transportation this week between Dallas and Houston in collaboration with launch partners Hirschbach Motor Lines and Uber Freight. This milestone was achieved using a single autonomous truck, with plans to scale up to a fleet of “tens of self-driving trucks” and expand operations to El Paso and Phoenix by the end of 2025.
While this achievement marks a significant milestone for Aurora and the industry as a whole, challenges such as the impact of Trump’s tariffs on shipments loom large. The question remains: will Aurora capitalize on this momentous achievement, or will prolonged delays pose a threat to its survival?
A Glimpse Into the Future
If you have any tips or insights to share with us, feel free to reach out to Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or myself, Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. You can also follow these instructions to reach us via encrypted messaging apps or SecureDrop.
Latest Deals in the Industry
In recent news, drone maker AeroVironment has completed its acquisition of space and defense engineering company BlueHalo in a $4.1 billion all-stock deal. The merged entities will form a new defense tech powerhouse named AV, capable of developing technology across various warfighting domains.
Additionally, defense-focused aerospace startup True Anomaly has secured $260 million in a Series C funding round led by VC firm Accel.
Noteworthy Updates and Insights
Autonomous Vehicles
May Mobility has joined forces with Uber to deploy autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform by the end of 2025, starting in Arlington, Texas. Similarly, Chinese AV startup Momenta is collaborating with Uber to launch Momenta robotaxis in Europe by 2026.
Furthermore, Waymo and Toyota are exploring a potential partnership to develop a new self-driving vehicle tailored for ride-hailing services and potentially personal autonomous transportation.
Electric Vehicles, Charging, & Batteries
The bankruptcy proceedings of Canoo are ongoing, with a London investor making a $20 million bid to acquire the EV startup’s assets, surpassing the $4 million bid from Canoo CEO Anthony Aquila.
Rivian has amassed a stockpile of batteries for its electric trucks, SUVs, and vans, positioning the company favorably amidst challenges posed by tariffs on the auto industry.
Slate Auto, a new EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, is eyeing a printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, as its future production site for affordable electric trucks.
Reports suggest that Tesla‘s board is scouting for a successor to CEO Elon Musk amid concerns over the brand’s value and margins. Board member Joe Gebbia recently acquired 4,000 shares of Tesla stock worth $1 million.
Miscellaneous
Ford has terminated its FNV4 software architecture initiative, a project aimed at integrating vehicle software across its gas and electric lineup to compete with EV leaders like Tesla.
Joby Aviation achieved a milestone by transitioning its eVTOL from horizontal to vertical flight with a pilot onboard, a crucial step towards FAA certification.
Ride-Hailing and Delivery
DoorDash is facing a lawsuit from Uber alleging anti-competitive practices, with DoorDash dismissing the claims as a tactic to avoid competition.
