Autolane is developing an ‘air traffic control’ system designed for self-driving vehicles

The Next Phase of Robotaxi Integration

With companies such as Waymo and Zoox rapidly rolling out robotaxi services, the conversation around how autonomous vehicles could reshape everyday routines is gaining momentum. While self-driving taxis are a major focus, there’s growing excitement about broader possibilities—like sending a driverless car to pick up groceries or handle errands.

For these scenarios to become reality, it’s essential to solve the challenge of “handoff” moments—determining the precise spot where, for example, an autonomous vehicle should stop to collect a delivery. Autolane, a startup based in Palo Alto, is working to create this critical infrastructure layer and has recently secured $7.4 million in new investment to advance its mission.

Building the Framework for Autonomous Pickups

Supported by investors such as Draper Associates and Hyperplane, Autolane’s initial focus is on managing pickup and drop-off logistics for businesses that want robotaxis to access their private premises. The company has entered into an agreement with Simon Property Group to coordinate the arrival and departure of autonomous vehicles at shopping centers in Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, California.

This partnership involves installing straightforward physical elements like signs—similar to the designated pickup zones for ride-hailing services at airports and hotels—as well as developing supporting software.

Orchestrating the Autonomous Ecosystem

“We see ourselves as one of the first companies providing an ‘application layer’ for autonomy,” explained Ben Seidl, Autolane’s co-founder and CEO, in an interview with TechCrunch. “We’re not building the vehicles or the core technology. Instead, as the autonomous industry experiences rapid and exponential growth, someone needs to coordinate and manage the interactions between all the players.”

While Autolane’s current efforts center on robotaxis, Seidl envisions the company’s technology being applied to a wide range of autonomous vehicle tasks in the future. He’s eager to move quickly, noting that Autolane currently faces little direct competition—though he anticipates that won’t last long.

Personal Inspiration and Industry Challenges

Seidl’s conviction in the business opportunity was solidified after purchasing a Tesla last year and experiencing its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) features firsthand.

“When my own car started driving me around almost perfectly, it was a revelation,” he shared. “It became clear to me that this technology would transform logistics, retail, real estate, commuting, and even the cost of moving people and goods.”

He pointed to a recent incident where a Waymo robotaxi became stuck in a Chick-fil-A drive-through in Santa Monica as an example of the logistical issues Autolane aims to address. By using Autolane’s software to specify exact pickup and drop-off locations, such complications can be avoided.

“There’s a need to bring structure to the growing complexity, and that need is already evident,” Seidl remarked.

Beyond Simple Signage: The Need for Precision

While businesses could theoretically handle some aspects of this process themselves—like putting up signs—Seidl emphasized that true autonomy requires much more than that.

“Anyone can install a sign,” he said. “But for autonomous systems, you need detailed instructions, accurate geolocation, and seamless technological integration. A generic sign won’t suffice when multiple types of robots are involved.”

Autolane’s strength lies in its ability to connect property owners with autonomous vehicle operators. The company plans to develop APIs for physical locations, enabling autonomous vehicles to receive precise directions. “Businesses will need to integrate directly with each robotics and car company to ensure their protocols are followed,” Seidl explained.

Focusing on Private Properties

Seidl also made it clear that Autolane is not interested in working with cities or public infrastructure.

“We don’t operate on public roads or manage public parking. Our solution is a B2B, hardware-enabled SaaS platform designed for companies like Costco, McDonald’s, Home Depot, or Simon Property Group—the world’s largest retail real estate trust. We provide what I call ‘air traffic control for autonomous vehicles,’ giving businesses real-time oversight of which vehicles are arriving and departing,” he said.