Welcome to the Future of Mobility

Strap in, because the future of transportation is about to hit you like a supersonic BOOM. Elon Musk, the maverick CEO of Tesla, just dropped a bombshell during Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call: a paid ride-hailing service with a fleet of driverless vehicles is launching in Austin this June. That’s right—just five months away. But here’s the kicker: Musk left out the juicy details, like the geo-fence constraints or how this service will actually work. Is this a masterstroke of hype or a distraction from Tesla’s flat automotive business? You decide.

“Elon Musk is the king of audacious promises, but this one feels like a game-changer.”

TechCrunch Mobility

What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes?

While Musk is busy hyping up Tesla’s self-driving future, Cruise—GM’s robotaxi arm—is navigating choppy waters. Sources reveal that Cruise has started handing out retention offers to engineers, signaling a potential pivot in strategy. CEO Marc Whitten’s email to employees hinted at a “go-forward” plan, but the Cruise board’s decision in early February will determine the fate of thousands of workers. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is getting a hardware upgrade, meaning those with older vehicles will need to cough up for the latest tech to unlock future capabilities.

Moove: The African Mobility Fintech Taking Over the World

If you’re not paying attention to Moove, you’re missing out on one of the most explosive growth stories in mobility. From 76 cars in Lagos in 2020 to 36,000 vehicles across 19 cities today, Moove is rewriting the rules of urban transportation. Their recent acquisition of Brazil’s Kovi—an all-share deal—has catapulted their annual revenue to $275 million. And let’s not forget their partnership with Waymo, which is set to revolutionize driverless fleet operations in Phoenix and Miami.

Big Moves in Mobility Tech

• Angell: The French e-bike startup is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
• Bonsai Robotics: Raised $15 million in Series A funding to bring autonomy to agriculture.
• TravelPerk: Snagged $200 million at a $2.7 billion valuation and acquired Swiss startup Yokoy.
• UVeye: The Israeli “MRI for cars” startup raised $191 million, with Toyota leading the charge.
• Voi: The Swedish micromobility giant just turned its first profit in 2024.

Waymo’s Busy Week: From Hidden Features to Freeway Testing

Waymo had a week packed with wins and weirdness. A security researcher uncovered a hidden feature in the Waymo app that lets you display custom messages on the robotaxi’s top display. Meanwhile, Waymo is expanding its driverless testing to Los Angeles freeways—though only employees can ride for now. And if that’s not enough, they’re ramping up lobbying efforts in San Francisco to unlock airport access. Oh, and they’re bringing robotaxis to 10 U.S. cities this year. Talk about ambition.

Boom Supersonic: Breaking the Sound Barrier

In a moment that felt straight out of a sci-fi movie, Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator plane hit Mach 1 and stayed supersonic for four minutes over California’s Mojave Desert. This isn’t just a test flight—it’s a glimpse into the future of high-speed travel. Buckle up, because the supersonic revolution is here.

What’s Next?

From Tesla’s self-driving dreams to Moove’s global domination, the mobility sector is firing on all cylinders. But the real question is: are you ready for the ride? Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to sign up for TechCrunch Mobility to stay ahead of the curve.

“The future of transportation isn’t just coming—it’s already here.”

TechCrunch Mobility