TechCrunch Mobility: Applied Intuition’s eye-popping valuation, the new age of micromobility, and Waymo’s wild week

In the ever-evolving landscape of transportation, Waymo continues to assert its dominance as a major player in the robotaxi sector, offering an impressive 250,000 paid rides weekly. However, the past week has highlighted the challenges inherent in this burgeoning market. Recently, Waymo restricted its services nationwide in anticipation of the "No Kings" protests against then-President Donald Trump. Shortly thereafter, the company announced a significant expansion of its robotaxi operations, adding 80 square miles in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley. Ambitiously, Waymo is now setting its sights on New York City, the largest metropolis in the United States. While Waymo applies for a permit to test its autonomous vehicles in New York, it’s important to note that achieving fully driverless vehicle testing will require changes to state legislation. This means that even if approved, testing won’t be fully autonomous right away, leading to anticipated lobbying efforts in the state. In other news within the tech world, Applied Intuition has made headlines with its remarkable valuation following a successful $600 million Series F funding round, co-led by BlackRock and Kleiner Perkins, bringing its total valuation to an astounding $15 billion. This valuation comes just a year after the company completed a $250 million Series E round at a valuation of $6 billion, showcasing its rapid growth in providing software solutions for autonomous vehicle development. Additionally, Archer Aviation announced it has raised $850 million via a direct offering as it continues to innovate in the eVTOL sector, following a government initiative to integrate eVTOL technologies in the U.S. The micromobility sector, once a focal point of innovation, is seeing a resurgence after a period of consolidation. Recent discussions at the Micromobility Europe event in Brussels featured executives from leading companies, including Voi and Bird, reflecting on the industry's evolution. Honda has entered the fray with its new all-electric Fastport eQuad delivery vehicle, designed for last-mile logistics, while VanMoof re-emerged with its latest e-bike following its bankruptcy proceedings. In cybersecurity news, Zoomcar reported a significant data breach affecting over 8.4 million customers, with sensitive information potentially compromised. As the Paris Air Show unfolded, exciting developments were announced, including a collaborative effort by U.S. regulators on an advanced air mobility roadmap and Archer Aviation's showcase of its Midnight aircraft. The landscape of transportation continues to shift dramatically, with advances in technology and regulation shaping the future of urban mobility.