TechCrunch Industry News Zoox taps ex-UberPool exec’s startup for routing software help, also Notion now works without an internet connection
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Aug 20, 2025 The discussion dives into the innovative partnership between Zoox and a routing startup, aiming to bring advanced tech to the world of robotaxis. Insights reveal how a former Uber exec is applying ride-sharing lessons to autonomous vehicles. Additionally, a game-changing update for Notion is unveiled, allowing users to access their notes offline—finally tackling that persistent cloud-dependence issue. Tune in for a blend of tech advancements and practical solutions!
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From UberPool To Routing Company
- James Cox left Uber in 2019 after seeing missed opportunity in UberPool technology for robotaxis.
- He ran the Routing Company, which arranged three million trips and now licensed its tech to Zoox with engineers joining Zoox.
Robo-Taxi Firms Look Outside For Scale
- Robo-taxi companies increasingly outsource specialized software and operations to scale faster.
- Partnerships speed deployment and let AV firms focus on core autonomy while buying routing and ops expertise.
Route Optimization Is A Hard Core Problem
- Route optimization is a critical and underappreciated part of scaling robo-taxi networks.
- Cox compares the problem to "playing chess in four dimensions" to highlight its real-time complexity and cost tradeoffs.