Palo Alto-based Autolane is creating an application-layer platform that orchestrates where and how autonomous vehicles enter, park, and depart from privately owned locations. The startup combines lightweight physical infrastructure (e.g., branded stanchions and signage) with a software and API layer that tells each incoming robotaxi exactly where to stop, wait, and exit. Its model is a B2B, hardware-enabled SaaS offering aimed at real-estate owners and retailers rather than cities or public roadways. Autolane’s first commercial customer is Simon Property Group, which will deploy the system at shopping centers in Austin and San Francisco to manage traffic from Waymo, Zoox, and other AV operators. CEO Ben Seidl envisions expanding the platform to support a wide array of autonomous tasks such as curbside delivery, logistics, and retail services as the AV ecosystem scales. He argues that precise, property-specific instructions will be essential as more driverless vehicles take on everyday errands. Autolane has raised $7.4 million to accelerate product development and believes it currently faces limited direct competition.

Total raised

$7M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Dec 2025