Wing, the on-demand drone delivery company owned by Alphabet, is spreading its commercial wings with help from Walmart. The two companies announced Thursday plans to roll out drone delivery to more than 100 Walmart stores in five new cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa. Walmart is also adding Wing drone deliveries to its existing… Continue reading Walmart and Wing expand drone delivery to five more US cities
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Toma’s AI voice agents have taken off at car dealerships – and attracted funding from a16z
When Monik Pamecha co-founded AI voice startup Toma in early 2024, he hadn’t anticipated spending the summer months sweating in Bible Belt car dealerships. He and co-founder Anthony Krivonos were still focused on banking and healthcare customers when the dealers came knocking. “They just called us up and said ‘we are drowning in phone calls,’”… Continue reading Toma’s AI voice agents have taken off at car dealerships – and attracted funding from a16z
Elon Musk’s introduction to politics
Elon Musk spent the last several months knee deep in government, sidelining his companies to pursue a longstanding Republican quest to weed out alleged waste and fraud. Then, a few weeks ago, House Republicans passed a bill with provisions that would kneecap Tesla. Now, Musk is fuming that the bill is “a disgusting abomination.” Plenty… Continue reading Elon Musk’s introduction to politics
Obvio’s stop sign cameras use AI to root out unsafe drivers
American streets are incredibly dangerous for pedestrians. A San Carlos, California-based startup called Obvio thinks it can change that by installing cameras at stop signs — a solution the founders also say won’t create a panopticon. That’s a bold claim at a time when other companies like Flock have been criticized for how its license… Continue reading Obvio’s stop sign cameras use AI to root out unsafe drivers
Uber adds a new type of account with a simpler UI for the elderly
Uber today revealed a new type of account, called Senior Accounts, for older users that prioritizes a simpler app experience with features like ride updates for family members, saved destinations, and the ability to use a family member’s card for payments. Uber said Senior Accounts present a simpler app experience with larger text and icons,… Continue reading Uber adds a new type of account with a simpler UI for the elderly
Inside TechCrunch Sessions AI: Learn how Toyota and NLX use AI to parse millions of tech docs, with NLX CEO Andrei Papancea
We’re down to the final two days before TechCrunch Sessions: AI unites the broader AI community at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall on Thursday, June 5! Expect a packed agenda with top speakers, expert panels, top-tier networking, and Side Events from our partners. One of our speakers is Andrei Papancea, CEO and co-founder of NLX, who… Continue reading Inside TechCrunch Sessions AI: Learn how Toyota and NLX use AI to parse millions of tech docs, with NLX CEO Andrei Papancea
An early Joby Aviation backer might soon be its biggest distributor in Saudi Arabia
Joby Aviation has reached a tentative deal with investor and Saudi Arabian conglomerate Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) to distribute up to 200 electric aircraft valued at about $1 billion over the coming years. If finalized, the partnership could provide Joby with a fast path to monetizing its electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles in Saudi… Continue reading An early Joby Aviation backer might soon be its biggest distributor in Saudi Arabia
Tesla files new ‘Robotaxi’ trademark applications after prior attempt stalls
Tesla has filed trademark applications for the term “Tesla Robotaxi,” after the company’s previous attempts to secure trademarks for its planned self-driving vehicle service hit roadblocks. The company originally applied in October 2024 for the trademark of the words “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab.” The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) told the company last month… Continue reading Tesla files new ‘Robotaxi’ trademark applications after prior attempt stalls
3 days until the doors open at TechCrunch Sessions: AI at UC Berkeley
Three days from now, the future of AI walks through the doors of TechCrunch Sessions: AI at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. This Thursday, June 5, TC Sessions: AI brings together the minds shaping what’s next. Builders, dreamers, and disciplined thinkers tackling what AI can — and should — become. Whether you’re fine-tuning LLMs or figuring out… Continue reading 3 days until the doors open at TechCrunch Sessions: AI at UC Berkeley
Week in Review: Perplexity Labs wants to do your work
Welcome back to Week in Review! We’ve got a ton of stories for you this week, including a new AI-powered browser from Arc; not one but TWO hacks; Gemini email summaries; and much more. Have a great weekend! Look out, Google: AI-powered search engine Perplexity released Perplexity Labs, which gives Pro subscribers a tool that… Continue reading Week in Review: Perplexity Labs wants to do your work