Atoms
"Physical automation to transform industry and move the world"
Travis Kalanick's robotics company building specialized 'gainfully employed' wheeled robots for food, mining and transport.
Atoms is a Los Angeles-based robotics and physical-automation company founded by Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick and publicly unveiled in 2026. The company builds physical automation for the food, mining and transport industries under the mission of "physical automation to transform industry and move the world." Atoms is the rebranded continuation of Kalanick's City Storage Systems, into which his ghost-kitchen business CloudKitchens is being rolled, and it has moved to acquire Pronto, the autonomous-vehicle startup focused on industrial and mining sites founded by former Uber colleague Anthony Levandowski. Atoms organizes its work around three "computers": Atoms Food (infrastructure for better food), Atoms Mining (more productive mines to power industry) and Atoms Transport (a wheelbase for robots). The company's central thesis is "Digitizing the Physical World" - treating physical automation like a software problem by building atoms-based computers that understand, predict and control the state of the physical world. Rather than pursuing humanoid robots, Atoms is betting on what it calls "gainfully employed robots": purpose-built, specialized, frequently wheeled systems designed for high-cycle industrial environments where consistency, durability and throughput matter more than general anthropomorphic dexterity.
Its core product is a modular wheelbase intended to serve as the foundation for specialized robots. Atoms targets the full physical-AI tech stack spanning sensors, compute, AI models, manipulation, software, operations research, manufacturing, real-estate construction, energy and chemistry. The company has reportedly raised on the order of USD 1 billion to pursue large-scale industrial autonomy.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Company Facts
Founded
2026
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
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Certifications & Memberships
Researchers Enhance Lithium Titanate Conductivity by Creating Oxygen Vacancies
Researchers from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria have developed a method to enhance the ionic conductivity of lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12 or LTO) by intentionally creating structural defects in its crystal lattice. This innovative approach involves removing individual oxygen atoms to form 'oxygen vacancies,' which significantly improve lithium ion mobility without altering the material's fundamental structure. This advancement is crucial as LTO is a highly regarded anode material in lithium-ion batteries, known for its safety, durability, and ability to support ultra-fast charging. The study demonstrates that by modifying the atomic structure of LTO, researchers can transform it from a poor ionic conductor into a much more efficient one, maintaining its stability and preventing mechanical breakdown during lithium insertion and extraction. Future developments to watch include the potential applications of this technique in enhancing other battery materials and the broader implications for lithium-ion battery technology. The researchers utilized advanced analytical methods, including conductivity spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, to confirm the effectiveness of the oxygen vacancies in facilitating lithium ion transport.
Innovation
Travis Kalanick Critiques Venture Capitalists, Claims Only 1% Are Helpful
Travis Kalanick, founder of Uber and current CEO of Atoms, recently criticized venture capitalists (VCs) during a podcast. He stated that only 1% of VCs are genuinely helpful, reflecting on his tumultuous experience with investors, particularly during his departure from Uber in 2017. Kalanick's remarks highlight the complexities of the founder-VC relationship, where he likened founders to 'chess masters' and VCs to 'chess enthusiasts' who lack deep involvement. Kalanick's perspective is shaped by his extensive experience in the startup ecosystem, where he raised approximately $15 billion in venture funding for Uber. Despite his criticisms, he advises founders to refine their pitches to create competitive bidding among investors. He emphasizes the importance of balance in sharing business plans, advocating for enough detail to attract interest without overwhelming potential backers. Looking ahead, Kalanick's insights into the VC landscape and his own management style may influence how founders approach fundraising and investor relationships. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Venture Travis Kalanick
Chinese Researchers Extend Quantum Memory Entanglement to 260 Miles Over Fiber
Researchers in China have successfully demonstrated quantum memory entanglement over a distance of 260 miles (420 kilometers) using laser-cooled rubidium atoms. This advancement addresses significant challenges in maintaining quantum signals over long optical fiber connections, which typically weaken rapidly. By utilizing quantum memories, the team has provided a potential solution for developing quantum networks that can extend beyond metropolitan areas. This breakthrough is crucial as it overcomes a key limitation in direct quantum transmission, which becomes impractical beyond approximately 199 miles (320 kilometers) due to signal loss in optical fibers. The use of rubidium atoms as quantum memories allows for the storage of quantum states, enabling longer connections to be segmented into manageable sections. The researchers also implemented an active stabilization system to counteract environmental disturbances, ensuring the synchronization of quantum states across the fiber link. Looking ahead, this achievement builds on previous work by Pan Jianwei and his team, who have progressively advanced quantum memory entanglement capabilities. The new distance achieved is significant for the future of wide-area quantum networks, demonstrating that entanglement can be maintained despite the challenges posed by long-distance fiber connections. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Science
Chinese Scientists Aim to Enable Atomic-Level Manipulation in Manufacturing Precision
Chinese scientists are making strides in advancing manufacturing precision from the micron level to the atomic level. This groundbreaking research aims to empower humanity with the capability to manipulate atoms, which could revolutionize various industries. The significance of this development lies in its potential to enhance manufacturing processes, leading to unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. By achieving atomic-level manipulation, industries could see improvements in product quality and innovation, impacting sectors such as electronics, materials science, and nanotechnology. Looking ahead, it will be crucial to monitor the progress of these scientific endeavors and their implications for manufacturing. As research continues, the ability to manipulate atoms could pave the way for new technologies and applications that were previously unimaginable. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Robotics Automation AI
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Atoms and Joby Aviation Partner to Develop Air Taxi Infrastructure in Four States
Atoms, an industrial AI and infrastructure company, has partnered with Joby Aviation to acquire and develop vertiports across the United States. The initial focus will be on Florida, New York, Texas, and California as Joby prepares for early electric air taxi operations. This strategic partnership aims to create multimodal hubs that facilitate aircraft landings, recharging, servicing, and passenger connections to ground transportation. The collaboration is significant as it addresses the infrastructure challenges facing electric aviation, which is crucial for the successful launch of commercial services. Joby has already flown its first FAA-conforming aircraft and is nearing the final stage of type certification. The development of these vertiports will support Joby's early operations in the targeted states, enhancing the integration of air taxis with existing transport systems. Looking ahead, the partnership will focus on creating urban infrastructure that combines air taxis, autonomous vehicles, and ridesharing services. Atoms plans to treat vertiports as essential urban hubs rather than mere landing sites. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Transportation
Travis Kalanick's Atoms Appoints Former Uber CFO Gautam Gupta Amid $1.7 Billion Funding
Travis Kalanick's robotics and industrial AI startup, Atoms, has appointed Gautam Gupta as its chief financial officer. Gupta, a former finance chief at Uber, joins Atoms shortly after the company raised $1.7 billion in funding. His hiring reflects Kalanick's strategy of bringing former Uber executives into Atoms, which has also acquired the mining autonomy startup Pronto. The significance of Gupta's appointment lies in the continued collaboration between Kalanick and his former Uber team, as they aim to leverage their past experiences to drive innovation at Atoms. Kalanick has expressed ambitions for Atoms to tackle challenges in mining, food, and transportation, while also emphasizing the need to confront the natural resistance to change in these sectors. Looking ahead, Atoms' trajectory will be closely watched, especially as it integrates Gupta's financial expertise and navigates its ambitious goals. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Transportation atoms Travis Kalanick Uber
Travis Kalanick's ATOMS Secures $1.7 Billion to Develop Advanced Robotics Solutions
ATOMS, a robotics startup founded by Travis Kalanick, has successfully raised $1.7 billion in equity investment. This funding aims to support the development of robots designed to enhance productivity across various industries, including food infrastructure and mining operations. The significance of this investment lies in Kalanick's vision to create robots that provide value to their owners and society. ATOMS plans to serve as an OEM, focusing on 'atoms-based' computing solutions tailored for industrial applications. Notably, Uber, Kalanick's former company, participated in this funding round, marking a reconnection with its co-founder. Looking ahead, ATOMS intends to innovate in the field of physical automation, with plans to develop specialized robots capable of performing significant tasks. Kalanick has emphasized the need for customized solutions in industrial settings, suggesting that while humanoid robots may excel in domestic environments, specialized robots will be essential for high-demand operations like large-scale food production. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence / Cognition Design / Development Financial Food / Beverage Investments
Travis Kalanick's Atoms Secures $1.7 Billion Funding Led by Andreessen Horowitz
Travis Kalanick's robotics venture, Atoms, has successfully raised $1.7 billion in a funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, with Ben Horowitz joining the board. Notably, Uber participated in this round, marking a reconnection between Kalanick and the company he founded, which ousted him as CEO in 2017 due to various controversies. This funding is significant as it represents Kalanick's ambition to expand Atoms beyond its origins in ghost kitchens, with plans to delve into heavy industry automation and potentially mining. The investment is seen as a continuation of Kalanick's vision to digitize the physical world, leveraging software to enhance productivity in various sectors. Looking ahead, Kalanick has hinted at building a “wheelbase for robots” with Atoms, although specific plans remain undisclosed. The involvement of prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz suggests a strong belief in Kalanick's capabilities to innovate within traditional industries, making this a development to watch closely in the robotics and automation landscape.
AI Fundraising Venture a16z Andreessen Horowitz robotics
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March 7-14, 2026 robotics news – humanoid advancements, major funding like Sunday's $165M, Atoms launch, physical AI breakthroughs, and industrial automation updates.
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Lunar rovers face -180°C nights and glass-sharp dust while building moon infrastructure. Inside the engineering challenges, commercial strategies, and international competition shaping planetary robotics.
Space Robotics: The 2026 Breakout
Space robotics transforms in 2026 as Starship cuts launch costs 96%, AI enables autonomy, and satellite servicing demand explodes. The breakout year explained.
