FAA Clears Advanced Air Mobility for Takeoff
Chipotle's splashy tech investments, Pony.ai gallops to IPO
Thanks to everyone that came out to last week’s Tech Week happy hour — what an amazing gathering!
New FAA Rules Clear Path for Delivery Drones, Air Taxis
The Federal Aviation Administration has published its hotly anticipated new regulations for eVTOLs, which the industry hopes will finally usher in a new era for devices like air taxis and delivery drones; it’s the first time the FAA has added a new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years. The new rules makes changes to numerous existing regulations and establishes a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) with new requirements to facilitate instructor and pilot certification and training, which should be a boon for companies like Archer and Joby.
Chipotle Makes New AI Investments
Foodtech stalwart Chipotle isn’t resting on its laurels, with its Cultivate Next fund pouring money into a new AI-powered supply chain platform: Lumachain. The company also just launched a new AI chat bot, with the too cute name of Ava Cado, aimed at speeding up hiring time by as much as 75%. It’s built with tech provider Paradox, and is set to launch just before the holiday hiring surge.
Carbon Robotics Raises $70 Million
Seattle-based Carbon Robotics just closed on $70 million in Series D financing. The financing was led by new investor BOND with participation from existing investors NVentures, Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Revolution, Sozo Ventures, and Voyager Capital. This brings the company’s total funding to $157 million. Carbon Robotics’ core product is the LaserWeeder agricultural robot. Other ag-bots are having a field day as well, with many vendors, including Robotics Plus, gathering at FIRA USA in California’s Central Valley.
Kernel Expands to Lower Manhattan
Robo-friendly restaurant group Kernel is ready to expand beyond its first location, with the Steve Ells-helmed fast casual brand announcing its second location: 15 East 4th St., in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood. That’s less than a mile away, but seemingly a world apart, from the chain’s flagship in Midtown. The veggie-forward chain is hosting an opening party on Thursday night. (If you go, report back!)
Pony.ai Readies for IPO
Chinese autonomous vehicle player Pony.ai is getting ready to go public on the Nasdaq, looking to raise a humble $200 million at a $4 billion valuation. TechCrunch combed through the S1 to find relevant details and notes the company operates 190 robotrucks in Beijing and Guangzhou, and over 250 robotaxis in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. Pony claims each robotaxi gets 15 orders per day, and it has logged 2.4 million miles without a human in the driver’s seat.
Starship Delivering Groceries Across Tallinn
Starship Technologies is expanding its partnership with European 3PD Bolt Food, with its autonomous delivery bots now offering grocery delivery in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. The robots, which have now made over seven million deliveries, are live in the neighborhoods of Tulika, Pallasti and Mustika, delivering for Bolt’s private brand Bolt Market.
In Other News
Watch a robo-dog run underwater. Amazon launches new grocery sub-brand, using traditional self-checkout machines. Meituan ups its delivery drone ambitions. Simbe Robotics adds brand insights. Richtech opening 20 more automated restos inside Walmarts.