Travis Kalanick's robotics startup Atoms brought on Nelson Chai, formerly Uber's finance chief, as its new CFO. Chai led financial operations at Uber during its explosive growth phase and IPO preparation, making him a seasoned hand for managing capital-intensive hardware ventures.
Kalanick founded Atoms to build humanoid robots for logistics and warehouse automation. The startup has already assembled a roster of former Uber and tech industry veterans. Earlier this year, Atoms acquired Anthony Levandowski's autonomy startup, bringing the self-driving engineer into the fold. Levandowski previously led Uber Advanced Technologies Group before clashing with the company over trade secret allegations.
The financing strategy reveals Kalanick's confidence in the robotics thesis. Uber itself has invested in Atoms, backing the venture despite Kalanick's exit from the ride-sharing giant in 2017. This signals corporate appetite for his robotics bet, even from his former stomping grounds.
Atoms operates in a crowded robotics space. Tesla's Optimus, Boston Dynamics' Atlas, and startups like Figure AI compete for the same logistics automation market. Figure AI raised $675 million at a $2.6 billion valuation in September 2024, demonstrating investor hunger for humanoid robots that can handle warehouse and manufacturing work. Figure also counts OpenAI as a backer and strategic partner.
Kalanick's approach differs by stacking proven operational talent alongside technical expertise. Chai's appointment underscores that Atoms plans significant capital deployment. Building and scaling manufacturing for humanoid robots requires deep financial discipline and investor relations chops. His track record at Uber, where he managed budgets during breakneck expansion and a path to profitability, directly translates to Atoms' needs.
The startup's hiring reflects Kalanick's network-