PE firms firms are betting that robotaxi depots will become a new category of infrastructure investment, much like data centers and cell towers.
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Long before companies like Waymo, Tesla or Uber announce robotaxi deployments, they're competing behind the scenes to lock up the best sites for AV maintenance depots and charging hubs.
Why it matters: Deploying a fleet in a new city is the easy part. Building out the necessary infrastructure to support it can take three years or more, and requires plenty of capital.
It's a strategic shift for the intentionally "asset light" ride-hailing company.
The rules of the road for AVs are being written in real time in Washington and in statehouses and city halls across America.
"Pro tip: Waymo is more drunk-friendly than Uber."
Aseon Labs, which came out of Y Combinator's 2026 spring cohort, has raised $10 million from Crane Venture Partners and others.
A new index from Autnmy AI uses a proprietary AI algorithm to try to measure what's really happening in AVs amid all the noise.
Robotaxis grew rapidly in 2025 with Waymo expanding fastest, Zoox debuting public rides and Tesla launching autonomous rides with…
