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With a decade of experience covering Tesla and CEO Elon Musk, I have a unique perspective on the recent fallout between Musk and President Donald Trump. While many have already shared their opinions on this public feud, I believe it’s essential to look back at Musk’s history of forming strong alliances only to see them crumble.
As Tim De Chant pointed out, Musk is now navigating the world of politics, a space where risk and gravitas often collide. While some may expect a change in behavior from Musk, history suggests a roller-coaster of peace followed by outbursts.
The implications of this fallout could have far-reaching effects on Musk’s various enterprises, particularly Tesla. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Tesla’s EV sales numbers and how potential legislation, like the Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act, could impact the automaker’s business.
A little bird
Rivian’s spin-off of Also, a micromobility startup, has piqued our interest. Recent revelations shed light on how this program evolved into a standalone company, with surprising involvement from Jony Ive’s creative firm LoveFrom. Stay tuned as we uncover more details on this collaboration.
If you have any tips or insights to share, feel free to reach out to us at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com.
Deals!
A recent memorandum of understanding between Joby Aviation and Abdul Latif Jameel has caught our attention. This potential partnership could pave the way for Joby to expand its electric aircraft distribution in Saudi Arabia, leveraging an existing investor to accelerate growth.
Other deals worth noting…
California-based startup Obvio, which combines AI with cameras for road safety, raised $22 million to expand its operations. Similarly, e-commerce fulfillment startup Portless secured $18 million in funding to support its innovative business model. AI voice startup Toma also raised $17 million to revolutionize the car dealership experience.
What Uber’s executive shuffling is telling us
Uber’s recent executive changes hint at a strategic focus on autonomy. With the appointment of Andrew “Mac” Macdonald as president and COO, and the departure of Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, Uber is doubling down on its autonomous strategy. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s emphasis on supporting the AV ecosystem reinforces the company’s commitment to safer transportation options.
In addition, Uber introduced a new account type with a simplified UI tailored for older users.
Notable reads and other tidbits
Autonomous vehicles
Tesla’s trademark filings for “Tesla Robotaxi” indicate progress towards its self-driving vehicle service. Despite previous challenges, Tesla remains focused on advancing autonomous technology.
Electric vehicles, batteries, & charging
Redwood Materials’ decision to walk away from a DOE loan underscores the company’s growth and financial stability. With significant private funding and revenue generation, Redwood chose to forego the loan due to its constraints.
Future of flight
Walmart and Alphabet’s Wing are expanding drone delivery services to more customers, with plans to operate in five additional U.S. cities. This partnership aims to enhance the delivery experience for consumers across various locations.
People
Trevor Milton’s legal battles with Nikola’s creditors highlight the challenges faced by the founder of the bankrupt electric trucking company. As the case unfolds, Milton’s financial obligations and past disputes continue to impact his professional endeavors.
