Travis Kalanick, the co-founder and ex-CEO of Uber, initiated his startup, Atoms, which concentrates on specialized industrial robotics aimed at automating jobs in the mining, transportation, and food industries.

Kalanick believes that machines designed for specific tasks are essential for enhancing industrial productivity. He is rebranding and expanding City Storage Systems, the venture he began developing after departing from the ride-hailing company.

“Robots that are gainfully employed are the most suitable machines for the task, capable of earning a livelihood while doing it," Kalanick states.

Interest in specialized robots has been increasing as they might provide a straightforward route to profitability, considering the emphasis on automation in sectors like transportation and waste disposal.

Humanoid robotics for general use encounters issues like teaching machines to move through unpredictable surroundings and cultivate advanced reasoning skills.

Kalanick stated that Atoms will be divided into Atoms Food, offering infrastructure for the food sector, Atoms Mining, aimed at enhancing mine efficiency, and Atoms Transport, which he characterized as a "wheelbase for robots."

Also Read: Republic Day 2026: India's Tech Triumphs & Global Leadership

He stepped down as CEO of Uber in 2017 amid investor pressure, concluding a turbulent time for the ride-services firm. In 2019, he resigned from the company board.

Also Read: AI & Tech: Visionary Pre-Budget Insights from Industry Leaders

Kalanick stated on the startup's site that he felt "heartbroken" after departing from Uber and was now returning to his "calling" of developing atom-based computers, which are unique systems that utilize physical artificial intelligence to perform tasks in the real world.

Also Read: NVIDIA's Rubin Moment at CES: AI Supercomputing Breakthrough

Uber Technologies, Inc. is a multinational tech firm based in San Francisco that transformed personal transportation by linking passengers with drivers through a mobile application. Established in 2009, it has grown into food delivery (Uber Eats), freight, and courier services, functioning in approximately 70 countries and over 15,000 cities with more than 200 million monthly active users.