The Autonomous Vehicle Space is Heating Up Again

The hype surrounding autonomous vehicles is back, and this time, it's not just about passenger cars. Humble Robotics, founded by Eyal Cohen, is bringing autonomy to the freight industry with its fully autonomous, cabless electric hauler.

The company, which came out of stealth in April with $24 million in funding, is building on Cohen's 15 years of experience in the industry. Cohen was previously at Otto when Uber acquired it, and later joined Anthony Levandowski at Pronto. His new company is focused on revolutionizing the freight industry with autonomous technology.

"The talent wars and capital are heating up the same way they did the first time around," Cohen said in an interview. "The money's flowing back, and it's the people who lived through that first wave who are building the next one."

What's Different This Time Around

• The industry has learned from its past mistakes and is taking a more measured approach to development and deployment.
• The technology has improved significantly, with advances in sensor suites, mapping, and machine learning.
• The market is more receptive to autonomous vehicles, with many companies and governments investing heavily in the technology.

Cohen's experience and insights are invaluable in understanding the current state of the autonomous vehicle industry. His company, Humble Robotics, is poised to make a significant impact on the freight industry, and his story is one of perseverance and innovation in the face of adversity.