Toyota AI launches $100m fund for mobility start-ups

Toyota AI Ventures has announced a $100 million fund dedicated to investing in early-stage start-ups developing autonomous mobility and robotics. The company says the fund brings its total assets under management to more than $200m to invest in and support promising projects around the world. Jim Adler, managing director of Toyota AI Ventures, says: “Investing in start-ups creates long-term relationships that help Toyota explore the latest innovations in mobility.” The company looks across a range of in
May 13, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
1686 Toyota AI Ventures has announced a $100 million fund dedicated to investing in early-stage start-ups developing autonomous mobility and robotics.


The company says the fund brings its total assets under management to more than $200m to invest in and support promising projects around the world.

Jim Adler, managing director of Toyota AI Ventures, says: “Investing in start-ups creates long-term relationships that help Toyota explore the latest innovations in mobility.”

The company looks across a range of industries that are applying artificial intelligence (AI), data, and cloud technologies. Existing investments includes the following companies:

  • Joby Aviation: Pioneering an electric vertical take-off and landing passenger aircraft service
  • May Mobility: A Level 4 self-driving shuttle service
  • Sea Machines: Building autonomous control and navigation systems for the maritime industry
  • Elementary Robotics: Developing robotics platforms to assist with automating everyday tasks
  • Intuition Robotics: Creating social companion technologies using cognitive AI


Edwin Olson, co-founder and CEO of May Mobility, says: “For us, Toyota AI Ventures isn’t just an important investor, they are a critical partner in helping us realise our long-term vision of making transportation safer and more personal.”

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Accelerator programme seeks UK start-ups to lead transport revolution
    September 7, 2017
    Start-up businesses with innovative solutions to transport challenges such as congestion, overcrowding, emissions and road safety, are being encouraged to apply for a unique new accelerator programme launched at Cenex-LCV. The Intelligent Mobility (IM) Accelerator, based in Milton Keynes, a partnership between Transport Systems Catapult and Wayra UK, part of Telefónica Open Future, is designed to attract disruptive start-ups with high-growth potential into the UK transport industry
    Read More
  • Cubic joins with Imperial College to apply AI in mass transit
    February 13, 2025
    Firm partners with UK university to improve public transport though new tech
    Read More
  • RATP and Airbus study flying vehicle feasibility
    May 24, 2019
    French transit operator RATP has joined forces with Airbus to explore the feasibility of urban air mobility in the Île-de-France region. RATP says the partners will commit to analysing the conditions for developing flying vehicles and work on urban integration to make a service available to as many people as possible. As part of the agreement, both companies intend to establish an ecosystem of partners to develop the transport offering. Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, says: “We already have the t
    Read More
  • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: a solution or another problem?
    November 27, 2013
    Do Advanced Driver Assistance Systems represent a positive step forward for safety, or something of a safety risk? Jason Barnes discusses the issue with leading industry figures. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are already common. Anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control are well understood and are either fitted as standard or frequently requested by new vehicle buyers. More advanced ADAS features are appearing on many top-end vehicles and the trickle-down has already started. Adaptive
    Read More

Highlighted Content