Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility – your go-to source for all things transportation and tech. If you’re a regular reader, you might have noticed this newsletter in your inbox on a Friday this time. We’re switching things up to bring you a full rundown of the week’s news.
Last week, I was at SXSW, a festival in Austin that covers tech, film, comedy, and music. Check out our live blog for updates on all things transportation, AI, social media, and more from the event.
Austin has seen some changes lately, like the addition of bike lanes, making it easier to get around on Lime scooters and Mod Bikes e-bikes. The city is also becoming a hotspot for autonomous vehicle testing, with companies like Avride, Zoox, and Waymo in the mix.
Speaking of Waymo, I had the chance to ride in two of their robotaxis during my time at SXSW. It’s pretty wild to think that Waymo and Uber are collaborating. Stay tuned for updates on my experience in a Waymo-Uber robotaxi ride.
Got a tip for us? Shoot an email to Kirsten Korosec, Sean O’Kane, or Rebecca Bellan. Or check out our guide on how to reach us securely.
Now, let’s dive into some recent deals and industry news. Carpool Logistics raised $12 million in funding, while Daqus Energy snagged $6 million for their battery materials work. Nirvana, an AI-based insurance platform for truckers, secured an $80 million investment.
On the electric vehicles front, Rivian introduced a hands-free driving feature, Hugging Face and Yaak are teaming up to expand LeRobot, and Northvolt faced bankruptcy in Sweden. Don’t miss out on all the exciting developments in the EV space.
Finally, this week I had the pleasure of testing out the Groove e-bike from Mod Bikes. Priced at $1,999, this all-electric bike offers a smooth ride with plenty of power and thoughtful design details. With a range of 50 miles and a payload capacity of 275 pounds, the Groove is a solid option for city commuters.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest transportation products and innovations we’re putting to the test each week.
