EMERGING TECH
EMERGING TECH
EMERGING TECH
Failed mobile software maker Cyanogen turns to developing autonomous vehicle tech
Cyanogen Inc., a company notorious for its failed attempt to bring to market an “Android killer” mobile operating system, has changed its name to Cyngn and shifted its business focus to self-driving car tech — because that’s in right now.
Axios made the discovery, reporting Wednesday that the company recently received a permit to test self-driving cars on public roadways from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and that it is advertising for staff with skills to develop self-driving car software and possibly hardware to match. Indeed, Cyngn’s careers page starts with the following quote: “If you possess an entrepreneurial spirit, play well in the sandbox, and are interested in being part of an autonomous revolution, pull up a seat and let’s chat.”
Interestingly, the same report notes that the company is now run by former Facebook Inc. employees, including Chief Executive Officer Lior Tal — because nothing says expertise in self-driving vehicles like people who worked at a social networking site.
Cyngn/Cyanogen has had a rather sordid past. Having raised $115 million in venture capital funding for its operating system play, the company made literally no headway at all and was rumored in July 2016 to be pivoting toward app development. Despite its failed OS play, the company did have a wide range of supporters. Its last round of $80 million in March 2015 drew in Twitter Ventures, Qualcomm Inc., Telefónica Ventures, Smartfren Telecom, Index Ventures, Access Industries, Rupert Murdoch, Vivi Nevo and existing investors Benchmark Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Redpoint Ventures and Tencent Holdings.
The company has seemingly made no comment on its shift to developing self-driving car technology, although on the front page of its website it does provide this somewhat cryptic statement: “Very soon autonomous machines will be everywhere, in surprising places, exciting new form factors both unexpected and delightful. CYNGN is bringing this world to life, animating the inanimate and delivering the future now.”
Photo: sndrv/Flickr
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