Travis Kalanick says Atoms is betting $1.7B on industrial AI and robotics
a16z Podcast · rss · 2026-07-23
Travis Kalanick pitches Atoms as a bet on industrial robotics beyond software
In a TBPN interview hosted by a16z, Travis Kalanick says his company Atoms is focused on bringing autonomy to mining, logistics, and food production rather than building another software product. He argues the biggest opportunities in AI are in physical industries, where lower costs and more automation could unlock new economic value.
Kalanick also talks about raising $1.7 billion, building in stealth, hiring, regulation, and what he has learned since Uber.
The core thesis
- Atoms is aimed at industrial autonomy, not consumer software.
- Kalanick believes robotics and physical AI will reshape heavy industries.
- The interview frames this as a large-scale bet on the physical AI stack and the economics of automation.
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