Travis Kalanick, the co-founder and former CEO of Uber, has launched a new startup called Atoms that focuses on developing specialized industrial robots aimed at automating tasks across several major industries. The company is targeting sectors such as mining, transportation, and food services, where automation could significantly improve productivity and efficiency.
Atoms represents an expansion and rebranding of City Storage Systems, the venture Kalanick began building after leaving Uber. The new company reflects a broader shift toward robotics and physical artificial intelligence systems designed to automate real-world tasks rather than purely digital processes.
Kalanick believes that highly specialized robots designed for specific jobs will be more effective than general-purpose humanoid robots, which still face major technical challenges such as navigating unpredictable environments and developing advanced reasoning abilities. Emphasizing the concept of practical automation, he described the company’s vision as creating “gainfully employed robots,” meaning machines built specifically to perform productive work.
The company will operate through three main divisions. Atoms Food will focus on building infrastructure and automation solutions for the food industry, Atoms Mining will develop technologies to increase productivity in mining operations, and Atoms Transport will work on mobility systems that function as a “wheelbase for robots” capable of moving goods or equipment across different environments.
Interest in specialized robotics has been growing rapidly as industries increasingly look for ways to automate complex physical tasks while improving efficiency and profitability. Compared with humanoid robots that attempt to replicate human movement, task-specific machines are seen by many experts as a more practical path toward large-scale industrial automation.
Kalanick stepped down as CEO of Uber in 2017 after pressure from investors during a turbulent period for the company and later left its board in 2019. With the launch of Atoms, he has returned to entrepreneurship with a focus on building technologies that combine robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation to transform physical industries.
The launch of Atoms highlights a broader trend in the technology sector where entrepreneurs are increasingly investing in robotics and AI systems designed to automate real-world infrastructure, logistics, and industrial operations. As industries seek to address labor shortages and improve operational efficiency, specialized robotics platforms are expected to play an increasingly important role in future industrial ecosystems.
