## Aurora’s Autonomous Trucking Dreams Take Off as Canoo’s Bankruptcy Drama Intensifies: TechCrunch Mobility Roundup
Welcome back to the latest installment of TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for insights into the ever-evolving world of transportation. This week, we’re diving into the launch of Aurora’s autonomous trucking service and the unexpected twist in Canoo’s bankruptcy saga, alongside other notable deals and developments shaping the future of mobility.
**Aurora Hits the Road with Driverless Commercial Trucking**
After a slight delay, Aurora Innovation has officially launched its fully autonomous commercial trucking service in the United States. The company completed its first freight run between Dallas and Houston, covering over 1,200 miles with its initial launch customers, Hirschbach Motor Lines and Uber Freight. While currently operating with a single truck, Aurora plans to expand its fleet to “tens of self-driving trucks” and extend its routes to El Paso and Phoenix by the end of 2025. This marks a significant milestone for Aurora and the autonomous trucking industry as a whole. However, the impact of ongoing tariff disputes and potential shipment delays remains a critical factor in Aurora’s long-term success.
**Canoo’s Bankruptcy Takes a Dramatic Turn**
The bankruptcy proceedings surrounding electric vehicle startup Canoo have taken an unexpected turn. A London-based investor has stepped in, urging the judge to halt the sale of Canoo’s assets to its CEO, Anthony Aquila, deeming the process “flawed.” The investor has submitted a $20 million offer for the assets, significantly exceeding Aquila’s $4 million bid. This development throws a wrench into the existing plans and raises questions about the future of Canoo and its technology.
**Deals on Wheels: Acquisitions and Funding Rounds**
* **AeroVironment** has finalized its $4.1 billion acquisition of BlueHalo, creating a defense tech powerhouse capable of building technology across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
* **True Anomaly**, a defense-focused aerospace startup, secured $260 million in a Series C round led by Accel, bolstering its efforts to develop spacecraft and software for U.S. national security missions.
**Autonomous Vehicles: Partnerships and Pilot Programs**
* **May Mobility** is the latest company to partner with **Uber**, with plans to deploy its autonomous vehicles on the Uber platform in Arlington, Texas, by the end of 2025.
* Chinese AV startup **Momenta** is also collaborating with **Uber** to launch robotaxis in Europe, slated for 2026.
* **Waymo** and **Toyota** are exploring a potential partnership that could lead to the development of a new self-driving vehicle for ride-hailing and personal use.
**Electric Vehicles, Charging, and Batteries: A Charged-Up Landscape**
* **Rivian** is reportedly sitting on a stockpile of tariff-free batteries, providing a buffer against the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on the automotive industry.
* **Slate Auto**, a new Jeff Bezos-backed EV startup, is considering a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, as the production site for its affordable electric truck.
* **Tesla**’s board allegedly explored potential successors to CEO Elon Musk, with Tesla chair Robyn Denholm denying the reports.
* Tesla board member Joe Gebbia purchased approximately 4,000 shares of Tesla stock, valued at $1 million, a notable move as board member stock purchases are relatively uncommon.
**Miscellaneous Mobility News**
* **Ford** has discontinued its FNV4 software architecture initiative, a project designed to vertically integrate vehicle software across its gas and electric lineups.
* **Joby Aviation** successfully transitioned its eVTOL from horizontal to vertical flight with a pilot on board, marking a crucial step towards FAA certification.
**Ride-Hailing and Delivery: Competition Heats Up**
* **DoorDash** is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by **Uber**, alleging that DoorDash is stifling competition by intimidating restaurant owners into exclusive deals. DoorDash argues that the lawsuit is a scare tactic from Uber to stifle competition.
That concludes this week’s TechCrunch Mobility roundup. Stay tuned for more news and analysis on the latest trends and innovations in the world of transportation.