Info
Info

Optimus Ride Raises $18 Million In Series A Funding

News

Leading Venture Capitalists Invest in MIT Spinoff's Vision and Differentiated Approach to Self-Driving Technology; Funds Will Scale Vehicle Fleet and Increase Employee Headcount

Info

Optimus Ride, a MIT spinoff company developing self-driving technology, announced it has closed an $18 million Series A funding led by Greycroft Partners with participation from Emerson Collective, Fraser McCombs Capital and renowned venture capitalist and current director of MIT Media Lab, Joi Ito. Optimus Ride has raised a total of $23.25 million through two rounds of financing. The company will immediately use the capital to scale its current vehicle fleet and make strategic hires as well as continue its efforts to educate the market of the potential of fully autonomous driving technology.

A recent study from Boston Consulting Group and the World Economic Forum, "Making Autonomous Vehicles a Reality: Lessons from Boston and Beyond," predicts that driverless cars could reduce air pollution, significantly lessen notorious city traffic and free up much needed additional parking space. With ties to MIT and a founding team with a collective three decades of experience in robotics, on-demand transportation and electric vehicles, Optimus Ride is uniquely positioned to help usher in the next era of transportation in the City of Boston and beyond.

"Autonomy is currently revolutionizing the transportation industry." said John Elton, Partner at Greycroft. "The changes will impact not only transportation users' free time, but the broader world with a safer, more environmentally friendly and inclusive transportation system. Greycroft is thrilled to partner with the Optimus Ride team. They are a diverse group that combines the top technical talent in computer vision and machine learning with expertise in urban design."

Earlier this year, Optimus Ride received approval from MassDOT to test highly automated vehicles in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MassDOT along with the City of Boston to enable testing of self-driving vehicles on roads and public property in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, beginning in Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park.

"I have known the Optimus Ride team since the very beginning of their journey as entrepreneurs, and it's been rewarding to serve as a mentor to them up to this point," said Joi Ito. "They embody the type of innovation truly interdisciplinary teams can achieve, and I'm excited to continue to support their success in the years ahead."

"My colleagues and I are extremely proud of what we have accomplished to date, and recognize that the industry is just scratching the surface of the powerful long-term benefits of driverless vehicles," said Ryan Chin, CEO, Optimus Ride. "Having the financial backing and guidance of Greycroft and our other venture partners will help us to harness our passion and execute our ultimate vision even more rapidly."



The Latest News, Brought To You By
Optimus Ride Raises $18 Million In Series A Funding
Modified on Thursday 2nd November 2017
Find all articles related to:
Optimus Ride Raises $18 Million In Series A Funding
TaaS Technology Magazine
Info
Riversimple And Siemens: The Beginning Of A Long-term Strategic Relationship
Abarth Launches World’s First Virtual Reality Test Drive Delivered To Homes
Daimler Plans Separation Into Two Pure-play Companies And Majority Listing Of Daimler Truck To Accelerate Into Zero- Emissions And Software-driven Future
REE Automotive Opens New Engineering Center Of Excellence In The UK
Niro EV’s Latest Accolade Reinforces The Strength Of Kia’s Electric Vehicle Lineup
AIR Index Vehicle Emissions Rating System Offers First Realistic, Fully-fledged Alternative To Official Data
Cosworth And Delta Sign Agreement For Acquisition
AVL Advances Development Of Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine For CO2 Neutral Transportation
Hyundai Motor Group Unveils TIGER Uncrewed Ultimate Mobility Vehicle Concept
Plus Commits To Deploy Ouster’s Digital Lidar Sensors
VivoPower Secures 100% Ownership Of Tembo E-LV B.V.
Volta Trucks Selects Meritor To Supply The Innovative Electric Drivetrain For The Volta Zero
Trimble Teams With ROBORACE
Humax To Supply RAiDEA Mobility Service Platform In The Middle East
Faurecia And Immersion Partner For Haptic Automotive Technologies
Ouster Achieves Major Automotive Grade Milestone
Kia Unveils Roadmap For Transformation, Focusing On EVs And Mobility Solutions
How The Volkswagen ID.4 Communicates With Light
Forward31 And Lufthansa Innovation Hub Launch Startup Partnership
Kia Starts Pilot Of Last-mile Delivery Service In Singapore For Future PBV Business
Targa Telematics Supports Leasys Miles In The UK
Ford Raises Planned Investment In EV, AV Leadership To $29 Billion
Mazda First OEM To Join The EFuel Alliance
Alauda Unveils The World’s First Flying Electric Racing Car
Info
Info
×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
Logo
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the TaaS Magazine, the TaaS Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in:
 
X
Info
X
Info
{taasPodcastNotification} Array
Live Event