TechCrunch Mobility: Travis Kalanick’s return proves it really is 2016 again

Travis Kalanick is back, launching a robotics company called Atoms and reportedly acquiring autonomous vehicle startup Pronto, co-founded by Anthony Levandowski. Rivian revealed pricing for its R2 SUV at SXSW, starting at $57,990, with a new edge-computing OS and haptic steering wheel controls. Rivian-spun industrial robotics lab Mind Robotics raised a $500M Series A at a $2B valuation. Other highlights include Lucid Motors showing a robotaxi concept (still just a concept), FAA approving eight electric air taxi pilot programs across 26 states, Wayve partnering with Uber and Nissan for a Tokyo robotaxi service, Zoox mapping Dallas and Phoenix, and the Chevy Bolt EV making a return.