When it comes to creating images of the earth from above, satellites, drones, planes and spacecraft are what tend to come to mind. But a startup called Near Space Labs is taking a very different approach to taking high-resolution photos from up high. Near Space Labs is building aircraft that are raised by helium balloons… Continue reading Near Space Labs nabs $20M to take its high-res imaging Swift robots into the stratosphere
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Mysterious financier asks judge to stop Canoo asset sale
A mysterious investor out of London has asked a bankruptcy judge in Delaware to stop the sale of EV startup Canoo’s assets to its CEO, calling it a “flawed” process. Charles Garson, a U.K.-based investor with no obvious ties to the EV startup, offered $20 million for Canoo’s assets, according to a filing. A lawyer… Continue reading Mysterious financier asks judge to stop Canoo asset sale
DoorDash seeks dismissal of Uber lawsuit
DoorDash has asked a California Superior Court judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Uber that accuses the food delivery company of stifling competition by intimidating restaurant owners into exclusive deals. DoorDash argues in its motion that Uber’s claim lacks merit on all fronts. On a post on its website on Friday, DoorDash said, “the… Continue reading DoorDash seeks dismissal of Uber lawsuit
Slate Auto eyes former Indiana printing plant for its EV truck production
Slate Auto, the buzzy new EV startup that broke stealth this week, is close to locking in a former printing plant located in Warsaw, Indiana as the future production site for its cheap electric truck, a review of public records shows. The company is expected to lease the 1.4 million-square-foot facility for an undisclosed sum.… Continue reading Slate Auto eyes former Indiana printing plant for its EV truck production
Bezos-backed Slate Auto debuts analog EV pickup truck that is decidedly anti-Tesla
A new American electric vehicle startup called Slate Auto has made its debut, and it’s about as anti-Tesla as it gets. It’s affordable, deeply customizable, and very analog. It has manual windows and it doesn’t come with a main infotainment screen. Heck, it isn’t even painted. It can also transform from a two-seater pickup to… Continue reading Bezos-backed Slate Auto debuts analog EV pickup truck that is decidedly anti-Tesla
Faraday Future founder named co-CEO three years after being sidelined by internal probe
Troubled electric vehicle startup Faraday Future’s board of directors has appointed founder Jia Yueting as the company’s co-CEO, three years after he was sidelined following an internal probe into allegations of fraud — a probe that led to a investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission that remains ongoing. Jia will serve alongside current CEO… Continue reading Faraday Future founder named co-CEO three years after being sidelined by internal probe
Uber, Volkswagen pair up to launch robotaxi service in US with self-driving, electric microbuses
Volkswagen of America and Uber on Thursday unveiled an ambitious plan to launch a commercial robotaxi service — using autonomous electric VW ID. BUZZ vehicles — in multiple U.S. cities over the next decade. The companies expect to launch a commercial service in Los Angeles, the first city on the list, by late 2026. VW… Continue reading Uber, Volkswagen pair up to launch robotaxi service in US with self-driving, electric microbuses
Tesla begins ‘FSD Supervised’ ride-hail tests with employees in Austin, Bay Area
Tesla has started testing its autonomous ride-hail service with employees in Austin and the Bay Area ahead of the company’s planned robotaxi launch this summer. “FSD Supervised ride-hailing service is live for an early set of employees in Austin & San Francisco Bay Area,” the company posted Wednesday on X. FSD stands for “Full Self-Driving,”… Continue reading Tesla begins ‘FSD Supervised’ ride-hail tests with employees in Austin, Bay Area
Anti-Musk protests are now an official risk to Tesla’s business
Protests against Elon Musk and Tesla have been spreading around the world thanks to the CEO’s involvement in the Trump administration. Now those protests are listed as an official “risk factor” in paperwork Tesla is required to file with federal regulators. The new language, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday morning, shows… Continue reading Anti-Musk protests are now an official risk to Tesla’s business
Elon Musk says he may keep doing DOGE work for ‘the remainder’ of Trump’s term
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he may keep doing work with the Department of Government Efficiency through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s second term, amid calls for him to step away from politics. Musk said he plans to reduce his role with DOGE to a “day or two” per week starting next month, “or… Continue reading Elon Musk says he may keep doing DOGE work for ‘the remainder’ of Trump’s term