The article also covers various funding rounds and deals in the transportation and tech sectors, such as BetterFleet's $15 million Series A, The Bot Company's $150 million raise, and Fleetio's $450 million funding. Notable developments include Waymo's planned robotaxi service in Washington, D.C., BYD's EV-charging breakthrough, and Rivian's spin-out of its micromobility startup, Also. In-car tech updates include Waze removing Google Assistant from iOS, with plans for a new voice interaction solution.
Key takeaways:
- Elon Musk's close ally, Trump, has placed 25% tariffs on all cars imported to the United States, which could benefit Tesla.
- Lucid is exploring partnerships to enhance autonomy in its vehicles, particularly with the new Gravity SUV.
- TechCrunch was acquired by private investment firm Regent, with Yahoo Holdings retaining a small share of ownership.
- Waymo plans to offer robotaxi rides in Washington, D.C., by 2026, but must navigate regulatory challenges requiring a human driver.