Mobility Threads | Release #4
LA wildfire to increase premiums, investors looking beyond auto in transport. Strategic acquisitions driving liquidity, robo-labor is hitting the market, and why dealers need vector databases.
Wildfire Woes – As LA wildfires threaten to cause $15B in damages, California’s new insurance rules face a critical test. This could reshape how insurers and residents adapt to the increasing risks of climate change. Last time around, there were a few exits from the market. JPM estimates the damage could exceed $10B. This could cause a spillover into aftermarket insurance and extended warranties.
John Deere Robot Lawnmower – John Deere’s robotic lawnmower is here to give your Saturdays back. The real question is, will it also judge your neighbors' uneven hedges? Also, there goes my “labor is too cheap so it’s not worth replacing thesis” Also: Wallace & Gromit vibes
Investors Look Beyond – With fresh funding flowing into transport innovation, investors are thinking bigger than just moving people. Next stop? Solutions for goods, services, and maybe one day, teleportation for takeout. I predict robotics & logistics will be a big theme in 2025. Of course, along with Agents.
On the Right Track
TTTech Auto (Vienna, Austria) – Acquired by NXP Semiconductors for €625M to accelerate software-defined vehicles, paving the way for safer and smarter automotive systems. This is one of the strongest moves in Software Defined Vehicles. IPO markets are closed by strategic investors are still ready to pay for the right tech.
Zero100 (New York, NY) – Secured funding from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners to revolutionize supply chains with a sustainable, digital-first approach. Josh Kaufman, LLCP's Partner and Head of Europe, praised the company’s ability to tackle boardroom-level challenges like rising trade complexities and rapid tech advancements.
Xnergy (Singapore) – Raised $10M led by Woori Venture Partners to expand its renewable energy integration solutions for enterprises in Asia.
Swave Photonics (Leuven, Belgium) – Closed a €27M Series A to advance holographic display technology, targeting applications from AR/VR to healthcare.
Swave Optics Technology RoboForce (Milpitas, CA) – Secured $10M in early-stage funding to scale its robotics solutions for warehouse automation and logistics.
The Future of Labor Force? HyperFox (Berlin, Germany) – Raised €3.2M to enhance AI-powered order automation for e-commerce platforms across Europe. I love this: “AI as the basis for order automation” - Yes, finally.
ETC Robotics (San Francisco, CA) – Raised $183,080 in seed funding from undisclosed investors to develop next-gen robotics for industrial automation
Off the Beaten Track
EverTrak (Saint Louis, MO) – Manufactures sustainable railroad ties using patented composites made from recycled plastics and fiberglass. By extending product lifespan and eliminating creosote use, EverTrak offers an eco-friendly solution that reduces deforestation and lowers replacement costs for rail operators.
Evertrak 7000 Glidance (Seattle, WA) – Raised venture funding to develop the world’s first autonomous, AI-powered mobility aid for individuals who are blind or have low vision. With features like intelligent obstacle detection and real-time navigation, Glidance is redefining accessibility through advanced robotics and machine learning. You simply need to hear the founders story:
Side Track
Bird Drone – Engineers are building drones that mimic birds. Finally, we can witness pigeons and robots argue over bread crumbs in parks near you. Also, we literally got Bird Drones before GTA 6
SpiRobs – Inspired by octopus arms and elephant trunks, SpiRobs are soft robots designed to grasp everything from strawberries to dumbbells. Basically, if it can wrap around it, SpiRobs will grab it—your snacks aren’t safe. And yes, they are nightmare material.
SpiRobs: Logarithmic Spiral-shaped Robots for Versatile Grasping Across Scales
Dealerships need Vector Databases - Who thinks about these things, huh?
HITL (Human-in-the-Loop) agents are among the first AI systems that will transform the dealership ecosystem.
While automotive retail can be automated, it remains an interaction-driven industry—buying a car is as much an emotional decision as it is a practical one. And let’s be honest: no one’s ready to buy a car from a voice agent just yet.
So, how can HITL agents help dealers reduce headcount without sacrificing the human touch?
1️⃣ Customer Comms: HITL agents draft responses about inventory, financing, or trade-ins. Staff review and refine these, ensuring personalized and high-quality communication.
2️⃣ Compliance: HITL agents scan contracts and warranties for missing clauses or compliance risks, with legal teams handling only the flagged issues.
3️⃣ Operations: Supervisory agents monitor sales trends, feedback, and delivery timelines, flagging anomalies and enabling proactive fixes.
HITL agents rely on vector search mechanisms to retrieve information from vector databases, but the question remains—do dealerships have the infrastructure needed to support this advanced technology? The answer is far from certain.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my own and do not constitute investment advice, guidance, or recommendations of any kind.