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Tesla says the first Cybercab just rolled off the production line at Gigafactory Texas
Business Insider· 2026-02-18 00:44
Core Insights - Tesla has achieved a significant manufacturing milestone with its purpose-built robotaxi, the Cybercab, which has begun production at its Gigafactory in Austin [1][6] - The Cybercab is designed for Tesla's robotaxi ride-hailing program and is fully autonomous, lacking a steering wheel and pedals [6][8] - Tesla's current robotaxi program primarily utilizes 2025 Model Ys with human safety monitors, and has recently started offering limited unsupervised rides [2] Manufacturing and Production - The first production Cybercab has been completed, marking a key step in Tesla's autonomous vehicle initiative [1] - Production of the Cybercab is expected to ramp up starting in April, although the timeline for full street legality remains uncertain [6] Regulatory Considerations - Federal vehicle safety standards are based on traditional human control systems, which may necessitate special regulatory approvals for the Cybercab [7] - Tesla may face challenges related to state-specific regulations concerning registration, insurance, and the operation of autonomous vehicles [8] Market Position and Pricing - Elon Musk indicated that the Cybercab is optimized for autonomy and is expected to be priced around $25,000, with an option for consumers to purchase the vehicle [9]
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought a stake in The New York Times during his final quarter as CEO
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 22:18
Group 1 - Berkshire Hathaway acquired approximately 5.1 million shares of The New York Times Company, valued at about $352 million at the end of December 2025 [1] - The company reduced its stakes in Apple and Bank of America by about 4% and 9% respectively, and sold 77% of its Amazon stake, decreasing its value from $2.2 billion to $525 million [2] - Berkshire added to its holdings in Chubb and Chevron while selling down Aon, and its Alphabet stake increased in value from around $4.3 billion to $5.6 billion due to a surge in Google's parent company shares [3] Group 2 - Warren Buffett, who transformed Berkshire from a failing textile mill into a $1 trillion conglomerate, stepped down as CEO, with Greg Abel taking over [5][6] - Under Buffett's leadership, the company has been net sellers of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters and has not repurchased shares for five quarters, resulting in a cash reserve exceeding $350 billion [7]
Amazon pulls the plug on 'Blue Jay' warehouse robot after only a few months
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 20:10
Core Insights - Amazon has discontinued its Blue Jay warehouse robot just a few months after its launch, indicating challenges in developing effective and cost-efficient AI robotics technology [1][2][9] - The core technology of Blue Jay will be integrated into other initiatives within Amazon's warehouse network, as the company continues to explore various robotics projects [3][10] Robotics Development Challenges - The development of AI robotics technology faces significant hurdles in the physical realm, particularly in acquiring useful training data and managing real-world operational challenges [2] - Blue Jay was developed rapidly in just over a year, leveraging AI advancements, but ultimately faced issues related to high costs, manufacturing complexity, and implementation difficulties [8][9] Future Robotics Initiatives - Amazon is transitioning from the Blue Jay system to a new modular warehouse system called "Orbital," which is designed to be more flexible and easier to deploy compared to the previous "Local Vending Machine" system [12][13] - The Orbital system is expected to support smaller same-day delivery warehouses and potentially be used as a micro-fulfillment solution in Whole Foods stores, focusing on handling chilled products [14][13] - The rollout of the Orbital system is projected to take time, with the first warehouse not expected to open until 2027 [15]
Palantir say it's moved its HQ to Miami
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 16:22
Core Viewpoint - Palantir has relocated its headquarters from Denver, Colorado to Miami, Florida, indicating a strategic shift in its operational base [1][2] Group 1: Headquarters Move - The company officially announced the move to Miami, Florida on February 17, 2026 [1] - This is the second relocation for Palantir, having previously moved from Palo Alto, California to Denver in 2020 [1] Group 2: Impact on Employees and Stock - A spokesperson for Palantir did not provide immediate comments regarding the implications of the headquarters move for Colorado employees [2] - Following the announcement, Palantir's stock experienced a slight increase of 0.8% [2]
Warner Bros. Discovery says it's worried employees will quit if it picks Paramount's offer
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 15:51
Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is concerned about potential employee departures if Paramount's Skydance successfully acquires the company over Netflix, which could lead to job insecurity among its workforce [1][2]. Group 1: Employee Concerns - WBD's board expressed that there may be significant employee and talent losses during the pre-closing period if Paramount's bid is selected over Netflix's [2]. - The board highlighted that the issue of employee retention has been a persistent concern, previously mentioned in a January filing [2]. Group 2: Financial Implications - Paramount has promised investors $6 billion in cost savings, which WBD's board believes would likely result from workforce reductions due to overlapping business operations [6]. - Netflix has indicated it expects to save between $2 billion and $3 billion if it acquires WBD's assets, primarily through reduced licensing costs rather than significant layoffs [7]. Group 3: Bidding Details - Netflix's bid stands at $27.75 per share for WBD's most valuable assets, while Paramount has proposed $30 per share for the entire company, including its cable networks [8]. - Both bids are all-cash offers, and the final decision may hinge on the valuation of WBD's TV networks and the extent of Paramount's willingness to increase its bid [8].
Klarna has 3,000 employees. The CEO says he expects that to be down to less than 2,000 employees by 2030.
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 12:30
Core Insights - Klarna's workforce has decreased significantly, halving from 7,000 employees in 2022 to approximately 3,000 currently, with expectations to drop below 2,000 by 2030 due to layoffs and natural attrition [1][2] - CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski emphasizes the integration of AI technologies into the company, which he believes will allow for operational efficiency without increasing headcount [2][4] - The ongoing debate regarding AI's impact on job markets is highlighted, with contrasting views from industry leaders on whether AI will create or eliminate jobs [4][5] Workforce Reduction - Klarna's current employee count stands at about 3,000, down from 7,000 in 2022, indicating a significant reduction in workforce [2] - The company has been reducing its workforce through layoffs and natural attrition, with only occasional new hires [2] AI Integration - Siemiatkowski believes that advancements in AI can be leveraged to improve operations without the need for a larger workforce [2] - He acknowledges the potential for AI to cause significant shifts in the job market, aligning more with a cautious perspective on the technology's societal impact [5] Job Market Outlook - The CEO expresses a realistic view of the turmoil expected in the job market due to AI, contrasting with more optimistic views from some tech leaders [5] - Jobs at Klarna that require human connection, such as those involving relationships with retailers, are expected to remain unaffected by AI [6]
Larry and David Ellison are getting a chance to break up the Netflix/WBD deal
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 12:01
Larry and David Ellison are getting another shot to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. The media conglomerate announced Tuesday that it will let the Ellisons make another bid for the company over the next week, with two key stipulations: Their offer has to be more than $31 for each share of WBD, and it will be the last time the Ellisons get to make a formal pitch to the WBD board.WBD's announcement reopens a deal that was theoretically closed last December, when it agreed to sell most of itself to Netflix in an $ ...
Billionaire Hyatt chair Thomas Pritzker steps down after Epstein fallout
Business Insider· 2026-02-17 00:11
Thomas Pritzker is stepping down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, saying that he "exercised terrible judgment" in maintaining contact with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The 75-year-old billionaire said he is retiring effective immediately and will not seek reelection to Hyatt's board at its 2026 annual meeting, the company said on Monday.The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of prominent business leaders over past ties to Epstein, years after the financier's 2019 death in fede ...
Apple takes on YouTube and Spotify with a new video podcast push
Business Insider· 2026-02-16 21:55
Core Viewpoint - Apple is enhancing its focus on video podcasts, transitioning from its traditional audio-only format to a more integrated video experience within the Apple Podcasts app [1][2]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - Apple plans to introduce a revamped video experience in Apple Podcasts this spring, allowing users to switch between listening and watching episodes [1]. - The update will include features such as offline viewing for downloaded episodes [1]. - Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, emphasized that the initiative aims to give creators more control over their content and business models while simplifying access for audiences [3]. Group 2: Industry Context - The podcasting medium is increasingly shifting towards video, with creators producing shows for platforms like YouTube and Spotify, indicating a growing audience preference for video content [2]. - Apple is responding to competitive pressures as rivals in the podcasting space are heavily investing in video formats [2]. Group 3: Revenue Opportunities - The update will create new revenue opportunities for creators, allowing them to insert video ads, including host-read spots, into their episodes on Apple Podcasts [4]. - Apple plans to collaborate with various hosting and ad platforms, including Acast, Amazon-owned ART19, Triton's Omny Studio, and SiriusXM, to facilitate this new advertising model [4]. Group 4: Platform Availability - The new video streaming system is set to launch this spring and will be available on iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and the web [5].
Tesla pulls the plug on one-time purchases of FSD
Business Insider· 2026-02-16 17:12
Core Viewpoint - Tesla has transitioned its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature to a subscription model, eliminating the one-time purchase option in the US for $8,000, now available only at $99 per month [1][4]. Group 1: Subscription Model Changes - The one-time payment option for FSD has been removed, and the feature is now exclusively available through a monthly subscription [1]. - Tesla previously offered Autopilot as a free feature for new purchases, which has also been discontinued [3]. - The subscription price for FSD was initially set at $199 per month in 2021 but has since been reduced to $99 per month [4]. Group 2: Historical Pricing and Future Plans - FSD pricing has fluctuated significantly since its introduction in 2016, starting at $5,000, peaking at $15,000, and being reduced to $8,000 in 2024 [4]. - Elon Musk indicated that subscription prices for FSD will increase as the software's capabilities improve [4]. - The shift to a subscription model aligns with broader industry trends and is part of an executive performance plan that ties Musk's compensation to achieving 10 million active FSD subscriptions [4].