Zoox

Enterprise

Zoox’s Autonomous Vehicles Set to Hit the Roads of Austin and Miami

The self-driving technology company announced Wednesday plans to begin testing in Austin and Miami this summer. Earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requested more information from Zoox to aid its probe into rear-end crash risks posed by unexpected braking. Zoox also didn’t say when it aims to remove the safety driver or begin commercial operations in Austin or Miami. The plans to test in Austin and Miami come as Zoox gears up for its first commercial launch. The company won’t be testing those vehicles on public roads in Austin or Miami, just yet.

Dylan Williams
June 5, 2024

CES, Enterprise, Startups, Transportation, Venture

Yet another startup for self-driving cars closes down, Zoox widens its driverless trials, and interest in AI among investors intensifies.

Zoox Robotaxi Driving Down A Road In Las Vegas

Deal of the weekIf you’re looking for yet another example of investor enthusiasm for AI just take a look at the latest fundraise over at autonomous vehicle software company Applied Intuition. Other deals that got my attention …Anaphite, a battery technology startup, raised £1.6 million ($2 million)via a government-backed grant investment led by Elbow Beach Capital. Motional, the autonomous vehicle technology startup Motional, secured a bridge loan that provides a temporary financial reprieve as the company searches for a longer-term source of funding, TechCrunch exclusively learned. Phantom Auto, a remote driving startup that launched seven years ago amid the buzz of autonomous vehicle technology, shut down after failing to secure new funding. You might recall that VW’s autonomous vehicle ambitions were wrapped up in Argo AI, a startup backed solely by the automaker and partner Ford.