# Kalanick's Atoms eyes robotaxi business

> The Uber founder's secretive startup raised $1.7 billion and is now reportedly preparing to enter autonomous vehicles.
- Title: Kalanick's Atoms eyes robotaxi business · TechCrunch
- Summary: The Uber founder's secretive startup raised $1.7 billion and is now reportedly preparing to enter autonomous vehicles. Travis Kalanick's Atoms is pivoting…
- Keywords: travis kalanick, atoms, uber, robotaxi, autonomous vehicles, andreessen horowitz, anthony levandowski, pronto, self-driving, funding round, Kalanick's, eyes
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/06/travis-kalanicks-atoms-might-be-getting-into-the-robotaxi-business
- Author: Anthony Ha
- Published: 2026-09-06T16:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: travis kalanick, atoms, uber, robotaxi, autonomous vehicles, andreessen horowitz, anthony levandowski, pronto, self-driving, funding round
## Atoms raises $1.7 billion
Travis Kalanick's startup Atoms announced a massive funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The Uber founder stayed vague about his actual plans.
## Robotaxi plans emerge
Financial Times reports Atoms is preparing for a hiring spree and acquisitions to become a major autonomous vehicle player.
## Uber talks underway
Atoms has discussed providing robotaxi technology to Uber, which already partners with multiple autonomous vehicle companies. Uber invested $100 million in Atoms.
## Unfinished business
Sources say robotaxis aren't Atoms' only focus, but the direction fits Kalanick's description of the round as "unfinished business."

> unfinished business
## Pronto acquisition adds expertise
Atoms acquired Pronto, an autonomous mining startup led by Uber's former self-driving chief Anthony Levandowski.
## Key takeaway

Travis Kalanick's Atoms is pivoting toward robotaxis after raising $1.7 billion, with talks already underway with Uber.