TechCrunch Mobility: How Jony Ive’s LoveFrom helped Rivian and what Uber’s next-generation playbook looks like

The article from TechCrunch Mobility provides insights into recent developments in the transportation and mobility sector, focusing on key industry players and emerging partnerships. It highlights Elon Musk’s ongoing turbulent relationship with political figures, particularly his fallout with former President Donald Trump, which may have broad implications for Tesla’s business, including its autonomous vehicle initiatives and regulatory dealings. The article notes Musk’s pattern of volatile alliances and predicts continued instability affecting Tesla’s robotaxi experiments and legislative efforts like the Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act. A significant revelation is that Jony Ive’s design firm LoveFrom collaborated with Rivian’s design team during the development of a skunkworks program that eventually became a standalone company, underscoring the importance of creative partnerships in automotive innovation. The piece also covers notable deals such as Joby Aviation’s memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian conglomerate Abdul Latif Jameel, potentially accelerating Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle market entry in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, several startups received funding rounds, including Obvio, which uses AI to improve driving safety, Portless, an e-commerce logistics startup, and Toma, an AI voice technology company targeting car dealerships. The article briefly mentions executive changes at Uber, suggesting these shifts may signal strategic moves for the company’s next-generation mobility playbook, though details are incomplete. Overall, the piece offers a snapshot of dynamic collaborations, funding activities, and leadership changes shaping the future of transportation technology.