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TechCrunch Mobility: Google’s Gemini is coming to your car, chaos comes for Luminar, and the Amazonification of Uber 2.0 | TechCrunch

May 16, 2025 - techcrunch.com
TechCrunch Mobility reports on significant developments in the transportation sector, highlighting Sterling Anderson's move from Aurora to General Motors as chief product officer, overseeing GM's entire vehicle portfolio. The article also covers the unexpected departure of Luminar's founder, Austin Russell, following an ethics inquiry, and the subsequent resignation of board member Jun Hong Heng. Additionally, it mentions Uber's plan to offer $1 billion in exchangeable senior notes, impacting Aurora's stock value.

The piece touches on various industry updates, including Tesla's upcoming robotaxi service in Austin under federal scrutiny, Waymo's software recall, and GM's new battery chemistry aimed at reducing costs. It also notes Uber's shift towards becoming a super app, legislative efforts to lift the ban on supersonic flights, and advancements in in-car tech with Apple's CarPlay Ultra and Google's Gemini AI for Android Auto.

Key takeaways:

  • Sterling Anderson, co-founder of Aurora, has joined General Motors as chief product officer to oversee its entire product line of gas-powered and electric vehicles.
  • Austin Russell, founder of Luminar, was pushed out as CEO and board chair following an ethics inquiry, leading to further resignations within the company.
  • Uber is expanding beyond transportation to become a super app, integrating various services behind a paywall.
  • U.S. lawmakers are considering revising the FAA's ban on supersonic flight, which could benefit startups like Boom Supersonic.
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