This Month's Latest Tech News in Sandy Springs, GA - Saturday May 31st 2025 Edition

Sandy Springs is quickly establishing itself as a southern technology powerhouse in 2025, driven by Mercedes-Benz's decision to consolidate its North American headquarters and launch a multimillion-dollar R&D hub in the city, creating 500 new jobs and expanding on their existing 800-person workforce as detailed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The region's momentum is bolstered by a flourishing AI startup ecosystem - Georgia now hosts 39 AI companies with over $713K raised to date, nearly $542K of that secured in 2024 alone, according to Tracxn's analysis of Georgia's tech scene.

At the 2025 State of Venture Capital event, experts highlighted Atlanta's advantage:

“Nearly twice the number of Fortune 500 companies within driving distance compared to San Francisco and LA combined,”

offering unique opportunities for tech startups.

Venture capital investment is expected to rebound in 2025, positioning Sandy Springs and its Atlanta neighbors for continued growth in tech and innovation as Venture Atlanta reports.

As public and private investment converge, Sandy Springs exemplifies the region's ascent as a premier hub for high-value tech jobs and entrepreneurial advancement.

Mercedes-Benz has announced a transformative expansion in Sandy Springs, GA, designating the city as its new North American headquarters and investing in a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) hub nearby.

The move will bring up to 500 new corporate, technical, and high-tech positions to its 1MB facility, which already supports about 800 employees since opening in 2018.

This consolidation will unite key sales, financial services, and corporate functions, drawing significantly from roles previously based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with completion expected by August 2026 according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The initiative is supported by local and statewide partners, including substantial economic incentives, and aligns with Georgia's broader tech-driven mobility landscape.

As Governor Brian Kemp noted,

“Georgia continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and technical innovation, attracting world-class companies like Mercedes-Benz that are driving the automotive industry forward.”

The expansion highlights the region's rapid growth and rising stature as an innovation hub, echoing similar headquarters from Porsche, Kia, and Hyundai in the state as reported by Insurance Journal.

For a comprehensive breakdown of facility and employment impacts, see the table below:

For further details on the economic and technological significance of this decision - including local reactions and infrastructure developments - visit the official Metro Atlanta Chamber coverage.

UPS is actively exploring a partnership with robotics startup Figure AI to introduce advanced humanoid robots into its logistics network, representing a significant leap in automation amidst a wider strategy of cost-cutting and operational efficiency.

While the deployment remains in pilot planning and the number of robots or precise tasks have not been confirmed, Figure AI's bipedal, AI-powered robots, capable of lifting up to 20 kilograms and performing repetitive sorting and transport duties, signal UPS's commitment to address ongoing labor shortages and streamline warehouse operations.

The initiative coincides with UPS's largest-ever restructuring, including 20,000 job cuts and closures of 73 facilities, and builds atop a foundation of over 700 specialized robots already in use at major hubs.

Figure AI, well-capitalized after a recent $675 million Series B round and a partnership with OpenAI, is one of several firms redefining the robotics landscape; the global market for humanoids is forecast to reach up to $5 trillion by 2050, with millions of roles potentially automated.

As Figure AI's CEO states,

“Our vision at Figure is to bring humanoid robots into commercial operations as soon as possible. This investment, combined with our partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft, ensures that we are well prepared to bring embodied AI into the world to make a transformative impact on humanity.”

For a detailed look at UPS's evolving automation priorities, see UPS's job cuts and network overhaul.

Additional insights into Figure AI's strategy and technology can be found in Robotics & Automation News' coverage of UPS automation pilots, while the broader context around these industry shifts is discussed in Fortune's report on humanoid robots in shipping logistics.

The following table summarizes key automation initiatives at UPS and Figure AI:

Uber Freight has officially launched the logistics industry's first scaled AI logistics network, ushering in a new era of intelligent and automated supply chains.

Leveraging a proprietary, logistics-specific large language model embedded in its Transportation Management System (TMS), Uber Freight's platform now uses more than 30 autonomous AI agents to manage key functions such as procurement, shipment execution, tracking, payments, and analytics - freeing logistics teams to focus on strategic objectives like exception management and network optimization.

A standout feature, Insights AI, delivers real-time recommendations to help shippers proactively navigate disruptions and reduce costs, a capability already piloted by enterprise brands like Colgate-Palmolive, whose Vice President Tatiana Martinez remarked,

“Insights AI has helped us plan with greater confidence and respond more effectively to disruptions, all in service of our ongoing commitment to customer centricity and operational efficiency.”

Uber Freight's AI network is trained on data from nearly $20 billion in managed freight - including shipments from 30% of the Fortune 500 - proving its scalability and industry impact.

Early results show over $1.6 billion in freight moved through this infrastructure within the last year alone, signaling a transformative shift from manual processes to proactive, data-driven logistics.

For a closer look at the underlying technology, read how Uber Freight's AI logistics network launch on GlobeNewswire, explore the impact on enterprise shippers in Digital Commerce 360's analysis of Uber Freight's AI logistics network, and discover how agentic AI is transforming procurement and supply chains in Procurement Magazine's feature on intelligent supply chains.

Volvo is set to become the world's first automaker to natively deploy Google's advanced Gemini AI assistant in its vehicles, with models like the EX90 and EX30 leading the adoption later in 2025.

The integration goes beyond upgrading in-car voice controls - Gemini understands natural language, enables instant message translation, delivers destination-specific details, and allows drivers to query the user manual or control functions with conversational ease, all while reducing cognitive load and distraction behind the wheel.

Volvo's role as a lead development partner means its vehicles will serve as a hardware testbed for Android Automotive OS innovation, providing Volvo owners with early access to cutting-edge features and performance updates.

As Alwin Bakkenes, Head of Global Software Engineering at Volvo Cars, puts it,

“Through this partnership with Google, we are able to bring the very latest features and capabilities from the leading consumer ecosystem into our products first. With our expanding partnership, we're collaborating on cutting-edge solutions that shape the future of connected cars.”

This collaborative leap accelerates AI development in the automotive sector and positions Volvo at the forefront of connected car technology.

For a deep dive into Volvo's Gemini integration, see Volvo's official announcement on Gemini AI integration, explore the broader market impact via Automotive Dive's detailed overview of the Volvo-Google Gemini partnership, and learn how Volvo's Gemini-powered cars are setting new standards for driver-vehicle interaction in EV.com's feature on Volvo's in-car AI innovation with Gemini.

FocalPoint Positioning and STMicroelectronics have announced a significant breakthrough for automotive navigation systems with the integration of FocalPoint's S-GNSS® Auto software into ST's Teseo chipsets.

This partnership, unveiled at the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo Europe 2025, addresses longstanding issues of unreliable GNSS signals in urban canyons and forested environments - key challenges for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

By leveraging S-GNSS® Auto's patented Supercorrelation™ technology, the joint solution enables up to 4x improvement in measurement accuracy and 3x greater position accuracy in complex multipath scenarios, delivered seamlessly as a firmware update to Teseo devices.

The collaboration has garnered strategic investment from GM Ventures and a partnership with General Motors, underscoring its industry significance and market demand.

As Scott Pomerantz, CEO at FocalPoint, noted,

“The combination of FocalPoint's S-GNSS® Auto and ST's Teseo chips offers a powerful approach for automotive OEMs looking to advance ADAS systems. The Teseo receivers are specifically optimised to take full advantage of S-GNSS® Auto, maximizing GNSS performance, improving system reliability, and enhancing accuracy where traditional GNSS systems fall short.”

The integration presents a cost-effective and easily adoptable solution for automakers striving to extend hands-free driving beyond open-sky highways.

For more technical details and perspectives from industry leaders, explore the official FocalPoint and STMicroelectronics collaboration announcement, the market-focused summary at Safe Car News, and an independent overview from AutoTechInsight.

Red Hat is making waves in the automotive industry by expanding its partner ecosystem for the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System (IVOS), a major step toward enabling software-defined vehicles (SDVs) that prioritize safety, scalability, and innovation.

IVOS, targeted for full release in Q3 2025, recently achieved ISO 26262 ASIL-B functional safety certification, ensuring robust performance in critical contexts such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), digital cockpits, and infotainment - all while guaranteeing that safety-related apps remain isolated from non-critical functions.

This open-source platform, built on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, is now at the core of collaborations with industry leaders including Arm, Intel, LG Electronics, NXP, and more, allowing pre-integrated solutions to accelerate development, reduce costs, and boost security for automakers like Nissan, which is leveraging IVOS for its next-generation SDV platform.

As Red Hat's press release on the expansion of the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System ecosystem highlights, the shift reflects a strategically coordinated move away from fragmented supply chains towards an ecosystem that delivers “pre-integrated, production-ready solutions…to unlock innovation.” The platform's functional capabilities and breadth of partnerships are detailed by Auto Connected Car News coverage of Red Hat IVOS features and partnerships, which also notes IVOS's support for rapid development cycles and its presentation at this year's Red Hat Summit.

Explaining the industry impact, Francis Chow, VP and GM of Red Hat In-Vehicle OS and Edge, stated,

“We're helping automakers innovate faster and safer, with the reliability and openness that Red Hat is known for.”

For a comprehensive breakdown of features and safety partnerships, explore Mobility Outlook's detailed report on Red Hat IVOS certification and collaborations and see how the table below encapsulates IVOS's critical certifications and partners.

Leopard Imaging, in partnership with Qualcomm, is unveiling a new generation of AI-powered vehicle cameras that are reshaping the automotive imaging landscape, demonstrated recently at CES 2025 and the Embedded Vision Summit.

Leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride™ and RB3 Gen 2 platforms, the latest camera systems pair advanced image signal processing with edge-based AI acceleration, enhancing safety and real-time perception for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

These solutions support automotive-grade, high-speed data transmission, multi-sensor integration, and robust cybersecurity, while powering safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and emergency braking - technologies proven to reduce accidents by up to 50%.

As CEO Bill Pu stated,

“Our combined expertise accelerates the development of high-performance imaging solutions that power next-generation automotive.”

Notably, multispectral cameras developed in collaboration with Sony Semiconductor Solutions can now capture 41 light wavelengths, enabling high-resolution vision in various environmental conditions and fortifying AI-driven object recognition.

Leopard Imaging's growing portfolio is engineered for maximum interoperability, power efficiency, and compliance with rigorous automotive industry standards like IATF16949.

Explore more about these AI-powered automotive camera breakthroughs with Qualcomm, delve into multispectral imaging innovations by Leopard Imaging and Sony, and understand the broader impact of AI-enabled driver assistance systems on automotive safety and industry evolution.

Toyoda Gosei has unveiled a groundbreaking horizontal recycling technology that transforms plastic from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) into high-quality material suitable for new automotive parts.

Debuting with the Toyota Camry in global markets, this technology enables recycled plastic - comprising 50% ELV polypropylene - to meet the performance standards of new materials, particularly for impact-resistant interior components like glove boxes.

In a significant industry milestone, Toyoda Gosei is the first worldwide to implement recycled plastic with such a high ELV content in these applications, advancing toward a circular economy and supporting stricter environmental regulations.

The environmental impact is substantial: incorporating this recycled plastic in parts manufacturing can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40%, as calculated by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology.

Regulatory drivers, such as the European Commission's ELV directive mandating recycled plastics by 2031, have shaped this innovation. Looking ahead, Toyoda Gosei plans to expand the application of its recycled plastics and continue improving quality across vehicle designs.

The achievement is the result of collaboration with Isono Co., Ltd. and the company's proprietary material modification techniques. The following table summarizes key technical and environmental aspects:

For a deeper dive, see the official Business Wire announcement on Toyoda Gosei's recycled plastic innovation, a summary of the CO2 reduction benefits and technology details, and additional coverage from Automotive Interiors World on increased use of recycled materials in auto parts.

Stellantis is making a landmark $388 million investment to build a highly automated Mopar parts distribution Megahub in Van Buren Township, Michigan, scheduled to open in 2027 and support approximately 488 UAW-represented jobs.

The two-million-square-foot facility will consolidate operations from several older distribution centers and employ the advanced AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system, featuring compact robots that traverse a high-density grid of bins to optimize order speed, storage efficiency, and delivery accuracy.

The transition includes sale-leaseback arrangements for legacy sites in Center Line, Marysville, and Milwaukee, helping to ensure service continuity until the Megahub is fully operational.

According to Darren Bradshaw, Stellantis' Senior Vice President and Head of Mopar North America,

“With the Metro Detroit Megahub, we're building a faster, smarter and more reliable parts distribution network that puts their needs first. This investment reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability and operational excellence, while also creating a modern, high-tech workplace for our employees.”

This initiative bolsters Stellantis' U.S. modernizing strategy, following nearly $120 million in recent investments and the opening of a similar hub in New York.

For more details on the technology and the transition's workforce impact, visit the CBT News report on the Detroit Megahub or the official Stellantis press release.

Atlanta's robust reputation as a “Silicon Valley of the South” is reinforced this month with a wave of new corporate headquarters, tech investments, and booming data infrastructure.

Recent expansions include Mercedes-Benz relocating its North American headquarters and investing in a research and development hub in Sandy Springs, adding up to 500 jobs and underscoring the city's attraction for global mobility and innovation leaders (Mercedes-Benz Establishing North American Headquarters).

Simultaneously, major Fortune 500 companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Home Depot, and Delta Air Lines maintain their presence alongside a flourishing tech ecosystem driven by both established firms (Microsoft, Google, NCR) and prolific startup incubators such as Atlanta Tech Village and TechSquare Labs (Top Tech Companies in Atlanta).

The city also recorded a surge in capital investment, with diverse startups in sectors from AI to fintech raising tens of millions during May 2025 alone. This momentum is complemented by record data center construction - the highest in the nation for percentage growth, according to CBRE - supporting AI and digital expansion but also prompting community discussions about sustainability and land use (Metro Atlanta Data Center Growth).

As quoted by Metro Atlanta Chamber's Gregg Simon:

“Atlanta's economy has been fueled by a decades-long influx of population from around the world, offering a talent pipeline for all of our employers.”

The region's synergy of talent, infrastructure, and ambitious investment continues to make Atlanta a magnet for major corporate and tech growth.

The future of Sandy Springs and Atlanta's tech scene is bright, characterized by both robust funding flows and a dynamic ecosystem supporting innovation across sectors like AI, fintech, and health tech.

Recent reports highlight that Atlanta's startups are attracting significant capital, including headline deals such as Flock Safety's $275 million raise and the rapid growth of companies like Carpool Logistics ($12 million Series A) and OnPay ($63 million Series B).

The momentum is expected to continue, with Atlanta ranking among the Southeast's fastest-growing hubs for venture investment, as detailed in the latest list of funded Atlanta startups for 2025.

This surge is further underpinned by national trends, with May 2025 seeing diverse investments across enterprise AI, digital finance, and health tech, such as Snorkel AI's $100 million Series D for data platforms and Monarch Money's $75 million Series B for fintech, as featured in the TechStartups' weekly tech funding roundup.

Community engagement and networking events remain central to the ecosystem, with Atlanta Tech Week and Startup Atlanta's event calendar offering key opportunities for founders, investors, and tech professionals to connect and grow their impact (see the Startup Atlanta Events Calendar).

As investment and talent continue to flow into the region, Sandy Springs stands poised to benefit from Atlanta's trajectory, further cementing its role as a Southern technology epicenter.