Anthony Levandowski and Chris Urmson helped create the self-driving industry as it exists today. The two were polar opposites and fought over issues big and small, complaining about each other to Google founder Larry Page frequently. Urmson won the power struggle and Levandowski ultimately decamped for Uber. Years of infighting and indecision hampered Google’s effort… Continue reading The inside story of how bitter rivalries and petty fights derailed Google’s self-driving supremacy and cost Uber its shot at the crown
Author: Business Insider
Elon Musk says Tesla will release its ‘full self-driving’ feature as a subscription in early 2021 (TSLA)
Tesla will release its “full self-driving” driver-assistance system as a subscription service in early 2021, CEO Elon Musk tweeted Sunday. The carmaker released a beta version of the software to some Tesla owners in October. The “full self-driving” system, which does not give cars full autonomy, is currently a $10,000 add-on. Visit Business Insider’s homepage… Continue reading Elon Musk says Tesla will release its ‘full self-driving’ feature as a subscription in early 2021 (TSLA)
REVEALED: How much Joby, the leading flying car startup that just acquired Uber Elevate, pays its engineers
Joby Aviation is a company designing a revolutionary electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, which it says will transform urban mobility by making air taxis a reality. The company recently acquired Elevate, Uber’s air taxi project, from the ride-hailing giant. Business Insider analyzed salary data that Joby shared with the US government, to see… Continue reading REVEALED: How much Joby, the leading flying car startup that just acquired Uber Elevate, pays its engineers
Elon Musk’s move to Texas is a publicity stunt that reveals how Tesla is maturing as an automaker (TSLA)
Although Tesla is currently the most valuable automaker on the planet, it isn’t doing everything right. Its flagship factory has always been an anomaly, for example. Located in Fremont, CA, the plant has been an economic boon for the San Francisco Bay area, but for the US auto industry, it’s borderline off the grid. So… Continue reading Elon Musk’s move to Texas is a publicity stunt that reveals how Tesla is maturing as an automaker (TSLA)
Dara Khosrowshahi hits the kill switch on Uber’s moonshots (UBER)
Hello, and welcome to this Wednesday’s edition of the Insider Tech newsletter, where we break down the biggest news in tech. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Get Insider Tech straight in your inbox by subscribing here. Soundtrack: For maximum enjoyment of this newsletter, we recommend listening to David Bowie’s “Starman.” This week: Uber… Continue reading Dara Khosrowshahi hits the kill switch on Uber’s moonshots (UBER)
A battery startup backed by Bill Gates and Volkswagen says its cells can charge in half the time of Tesla’s Model 3 (QS, TSLA)
QuantumScape says it’s made a solid-state battery cell that is more powerful than those used by Tesla and others. They can also charge to 80% capacity in 15 minutes, while remaining efficient in cold weather. The new cells are a potential game changer if QuantumScape can manufacture them at scale, Tesla cofounder J.B. Straubel said. … Continue reading A battery startup backed by Bill Gates and Volkswagen says its cells can charge in half the time of Tesla’s Model 3 (QS, TSLA)
Joby Aviation is acquiring Uber’s Elevate as the ride-hailing giant continues to shed divisions during the pandemic
Joby Aviation will acquire Uber Elevate in another sell-off from the ride-hailing giant during the pandemic. Uber will invest $75 million in Joby Aviation which, combined with a previously undisclosed $50 million investment in January from Uber, brings the latter’s total fundraising haul to $820 million. Joby expects to begin flights with electric vertical take-off… Continue reading Joby Aviation is acquiring Uber’s Elevate as the ride-hailing giant continues to shed divisions during the pandemic
Tesla ordered to stop cutting down trees at its Berlin factory construction site because of hibernating snakes (TSLA)
Hibernating snakes are complicating Elon Musk’s plans for a gigafactory near Berlin. A German court has told the U.S. billionaire’s electric vehicle company Tesla to suspend clearing of a forest at the site of the proposed factory after environmentalists said that cutting down more trees could endanger hibernating snakes. “The Landesumweltamt (state environmental authority) and Tesla will now be… Continue reading Tesla ordered to stop cutting down trees at its Berlin factory construction site because of hibernating snakes (TSLA)
Tesla retreats from record highs after announcing share sale of up to $5 billion (TSLA)
Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images Tesla retreated from record all-time-highs on Tuesday after the electric vehicle manufacturer announced a $5 billion “at-the-market” share offering. The “at-the-market” offering allows Tesla to sell up to $5 billion worth of stock directly into the public markets at its discretion, taking advantage of potential price swings on specific days. … Continue reading Tesla retreats from record highs after announcing share sale of up to $5 billion (TSLA)
Amazon-backed Aurora is buying Uber’s self-driving unit despite its terrible reputation. Its CEO explains why he sees value in the troubled program. (UBER)
Aurora Innovation is buying Uber’s autonomous-vehicle unit, Uber ATG. Uber ATG’s reputation has suffered from a fatal crash and reports of internal unrest. Aurora CEO Chris Urmson told Business Insider he’s been impressed with the determination and resilience ATG’s employees have displayed. He spoke highly of ATG’s safety infrastructure, software, computing hardware, and cameras. Are… Continue reading Amazon-backed Aurora is buying Uber’s self-driving unit despite its terrible reputation. Its CEO explains why he sees value in the troubled program. (UBER)