New Autonomous Machines Head Stateside for the First Time
Storm swallows delivery bot, EV sales fall, new Curbivore partners
If there’s one transportation mega-trend that looks to be taking place in 2026, this is the year that autonomous vehicles become “real.” No longer are AVs consigned to the exurbs of Arizona; you’ve got robotaxis prowling the streets of dense mega-cities and low-tech towns alike. Autonomous trucks are hauling loads for marquee retailers, and sidewalk delivery bots are moving meals even in locales with incredibly strict regulatory regimes.
But the future isn’t static… and at Curbivore we pride ourselves on bringing together the newest machines reshaping the future of autonomy, delivery and mobility. Our latest 2026 partners are trucking across Texas, introducing new delivery bots never seen before on this continent, are building and financing vehicles purpose-fit for ridehailing and are even innovating new ways to charge electric fleets. Learn more below, but better yet: meet them in person on April 16-17 at Curbivore.
Meet Our Latest Partners
Bot Auto is an autonomous trucking company based in Houston, founded in 2023 by Dr. Xiaodi Hou. Bot Auto utilizes a small fleet of trucks equipped with its AI-powered Autonomous Driving System to run freight for customers in Texas via a hub to hub, Transportation as a Service model. It currently services major customers on lanes from Houston to San Antonio and Houston to Dallas.
Leveraging its globally trusted DYNAMIXEL® smart actuators, ROBOTIS (Robot is...) powers the GAEMI delivery robot for reliable last-mile delivery across indoor and outdoor environments. Partner with us to deploy scalable delivery solutions that lower costs and improve operational efficiency.
indiGO is launching the next generation of EVs and AVs that are purpose-built for delivering people, packages and food while reducing fleet operating costs and maximizing performance. This new platform is made possible via the world's only SmartWheels innovation that combines propulsion and active suspension directly into the wheel architecture, enabling highly-efficient EVs and AVs that are roomier, lighter, and smoother than other vehicles in this class.
Rideshare Carz’s mission is to empower rideshare and delivery drivers with the tools, education, and opportunities to take control of their financial future. The company provides reliable, high-quality rental vehicles alongside expert guidance to help drivers become their own boss, maximize their earnings, and create a schedule that fits their lifestyle. Through competitive pricing, flexible rental options, and a commitment to driver success, Rideshare Carz strives to remove barriers to entry and support drivers in building a profitable and sustainable business. As the company expands its reach, it remains dedicated to fostering a community of independent entrepreneurs who thrive in the evolving gig economy.
RoboDock builds robots that automate depot operations, like charging and vehicle checks, for electric and autonomous vehicle fleets. We turn fleet depots from manual sites into self-running systems that lower operational costs and increase vehicle uptime.
Neubility is a South Korea-based robotics pioneer, specializing in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for last-mile delivery and security patrols. We provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions—spanning hardware, autonomy software, and fleet management platforms—and currently hold the record for the most robot deployments in South Korea.
HOT INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
Who’s ready for robotic sushi? In a world where a majority of restaurant consumption takes place off premises… do you really care who the chef is? What about for sushi, a cuisine where the chef’s precision and techniques have been prized skills for centuries? As ever more diners turn to delivery, and restaurants large and small grapple with rising costs, Autec’s sushi making robots are taking off in popularity. I recently sampled these machines’ tasty maki over at LA Sushi Co and discovered that despite the attention-grabbing headline, the story is far less simple than it seems. Read the piece at Ottomate.
Climate change comes for urban transport: As California’s been pounded by rain, LA’s delivery bots are struggling to cross water-logged streets. Across the country, bike share systems are still encased in blackened snow a month after the major storm hit northeastern cities. (H/T Justin.)
DoorDash delivers growth: DoorDash wrapped up 2025 with quarterly orders growing 32% YoY to 903 million, while Q4 revenue spiked 38%. We’ll have a full analysis Monday at Modern Delivery.
It’s so over… Does it ever feel like the whole economy is just wobbling on top of a series of increasingly convoluted prop bets? Meet Rush Hour, a new gambling app (I’m sorry… “prediction market”) that lets punters wager on local traffic conditions. Get the number of cars and trucks that will pass through an intersection per each light cycle and you could win, while society loses!
But at least micromobility has finally recovered: European scooter operator Voi posted its best year yet, cresting 116 million rides in 2025. That pushed net revenue to €178.2M ($210M) for the year, with profitable operations bringing the company to just about break even.
Bad Tesla! Tesla’s Robotaxi operations in Austin continue to misbehave, with the company logging five more accidents in the past month. While some of these are minor scrapes, they also include “collision with a fixed object at 17 mph while the vehicle was driving straight.” Electrek concludes that Tesla’s current driving record is 4-8X worse than your average human motorist’s.
It’s an EV / AV land grab: Uber is getting directly involved in operating charging depots for AVs, as the company plans to spend $100M to build fast-charge hubs in LA, SF and Dallas. This space is getting crowded, including competitors like Avomo, Moove, Terawatt and Voltera (some of which have also received investments from Uber.)
EV sales finally fall: While anyone could have predicted this would eventually happen, thanks to the dual punch of expiring subsidies and tariff-induced price hikes, it’s officially official. Electric vehicle sales fell year over year for the first time in the United States, with 2025 coming in 0.4% below ‘24.
From the Department of Newspeak: A fantastic environmental review document for a freeway widening would like us to know that adding lanes is actually equitable. Well, case closed! I suppose this is a great example of why progressive groups need to continue to create new terminology, so as to stay a step ahead of those that co-opt the language…
Rotational inertia? Air taxi upstart Joby is tying itself closer to Toyota, one of its largest investors, with the automaker looking to integrate its renowned manufacturing processes into the EVTOL maker. Meanwhile, its competitor Archer Aviation may be airing bafflingly vague ads during the Winter Olympics, but company execs are now saying its more lucrative prospects involve military work with Anduril.
A few good links: Facing budget crunch, San Diego’s transit agency considers hiking fares to highest in nation. Chips ahoy: Ukrainian drones deliver cookies as well as munitions. NYC street vendors celebrate regulatory reform. Toyota and Pony.ai collab on robotaxi production. Zoox heads to Columbus, Ohio. Feds resume slow disbursement of Hudson Tunnel funds. Relay pulls the plug on NYC operations. Gov. Hochul kills plan to allow robotaxis in NY State. Lobbyists are using AI-generated messages to weaponize regressive astroturfing campaigns. NYC considers free bus fare pilot during World Cup. In defense of new cities (worth noting that Irvine has some lovely bike infrastructure.) NYC to spend $1B to quadruple traffic enforcement cameras (maybe they should get a cut of those bets too…)
Don’t forget to score your Curbivore tickets!
- Jonah Bliss & The Curbivore Crew