Jaguar Land Rover backs self-driving taxi startup
Jaguar Land Rover's venture capital arm InMotion Ventures has invested US$4.1 million in self-driving taxi service Voyage.
The backing will support Voyage in developing a global service, with the aim that anyone can summon an autonomous vehicle to their door and reach their destination safely.
Voyage has already trialled its self-driving taxi service in a gated community in San Jose, California.
The company is licensed to test self-driving cars on Californian roads in 2018 and is refining its technology and service with feedback from users.
In this funding round, InMotion Ventures invested alongside Khosla Ventures, SV Angel, Initialized Capital, Amino Capital and Charles River Ventures.
Voyage CEO Oliver Cameron says, "We are thrilled to have support from InMotion Ventures in this successful funding round.
"The investment will help our business grow in technical and operational expertise, as we expand into new communities globally.
"This is an exciting year for us with further passenger trials planned.
Powered by Jaguar Land Rover, InMotion Ventures supports companies building products and services that aim to change the way the world moves.
InMotion Ventures invests in high-growth companies in the mobility, transportation and travel sector.
They are dedicated to backing innovations that will change the way we move.
They invest globally in startups at all stages from Seed to Series B.
Alongside their core investment activity, they also collaborate with the wider Jaguar Land Rover business to develop new products and services that provide better experiences for both new and existing customers.
InMotion Ventures MD Sebastian Peck says, "We are excited to be working with Oliver Cameron and his world-class team at Voyage.
"We believe they have the capability to quickly make self-driving, autonomous taxis in residential communities a reality.
This is the first InMotion investment of 2018 and with it, Voyage is the 12th company to join its mobility and transport venture portfolio.
