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

The article highlights the surprising return of Travis Kalanick, Uber’s co-founder and former CEO, to the mobility and autonomous vehicle (AV) space. After resigning in 2017 amid controversies, Kalanick is now building a robotics company called Atoms and is poised to acquire Pronto, an autonomous vehicle startup focused on industrial and mining applications founded by his former Uber colleague Anthony Levandowski. Kalanick is already the largest investor in Pronto, signaling a renewed push into AV technology reminiscent of the intense activity and legal battles in 2016, when Uber acquired Levandowski’s startup Otto, leading to a high-profile lawsuit from Waymo. The article also covers Rivian’s recent activities at SXSW, where the EV maker unveiled details about its upcoming R2 SUV. The performance launch edition of the R2 will start at $57,990, with a more affordable $45,000 version expected in late 2027. Rivian is focusing on experiential marketing aimed