Travis Kalanick, the former co-founder of Uber, has launched a new company called Atoms, which focuses on robotics technology. Atoms aims to operate within the food, mining, and transportation sectors, signaling a strategic shift in Kalanick’s entrepreneurial endeavors.
Kalanick is integrating his existing ghost kitchen enterprise, CloudKitchens, into Atoms. While specifics on Atoms’ approach to mining and transportation remain undisclosed, the company’s vision involves developing a ‘wheelbase for robots.’ In a recent interview, Kalanick emphasized Atoms’ commitment to creating ‘specialized robots’ for efficient and large-scale industrial operations, rather than humanoid robots.
To bolster its foray into mining, Atoms is reportedly in the process of acquiring Pronto, an autonomous vehicle startup founded by Kalanick’s former Uber colleague, Anthony Levandowski. Kalanick’s substantial investment in Pronto underscores his ambition to capitalize on industrial automation, positioning it as a key focus area for Atoms.
While Kalanick refrained from discussing immediate plans for utilizing Atoms robots in passenger transport, he hinted at the vast potential of leveraging robotic movement capabilities. This strategic direction aligns with reports indicating Kalanick’s renewed interest in self-driving technology, with purported substantial backing from Uber.
Atoms’ emergence marks a significant technological evolution in Kalanick’s portfolio, illustrating his continued pursuit of innovation beyond his tenure at Uber. As Atoms ventures into the realms of robotics and automation, the tech industry will closely monitor the impact of Kalanick’s latest technological endeavors.
Source: TechCrunch