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Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules
TechCrunch· 2025-12-17 01:14
Core Points - An administrative law judge ruled that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing regarding its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving software, misleading customers about the capabilities of these systems [1][4] - The California DMV requested a 30-day suspension of Tesla's sales as a penalty, which has been stayed for 90 days to allow Tesla to modify or remove deceptive language [2][3] - Tesla's marketing practices have been under scrutiny from multiple state and federal agencies, leading to investigations and civil lawsuits related to crashes involving its Autopilot technology [3][4] Group 1 - The judge's ruling is a significant development in a long-standing case initiated by California's DMV, which accused Tesla of creating a false impression of its advanced driver assistance systems [1][4] - The DMV's request for a sales suspension could severely impact Tesla's business, particularly as California is its largest market in the U.S. [5] - Tesla's manufacturing operations could also be affected, as the company relies on its Fremont factory for a substantial portion of its vehicle production [5] Group 2 - The judge recommended a 30-day suspension of Tesla's manufacturing license, which has also been stayed by the DMV [2] - Tesla is currently testing its Robotaxi service in Austin, having removed safety monitors from its fleet, which runs a different version of its driving software [6] - The ongoing legal challenges and investigations could pose long-term risks to Tesla's reputation and operational capabilities [3][4]
DoorDash rolls out Zesty, an AI social app for discovering new restaurants
TechCrunch· 2025-12-16 18:48
DoorDash is launching a new AI-powered social app that’s designed to help users quickly find local restaurants. The app, called Zesty, is initially available in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York.With the app, DoorDash is branching out beyond food delivery and stepping into the social and discovery space. The idea behind the app is to get rid of the need to read a bunch of different reviews, look up different menus, or browse TikTok when looking for a new place to eat. Once people open up the app and ...
How Luminar's doomed Volvo deal helped drag the company into bankruptcy
TechCrunch· 2025-12-16 18:13
In early 2023, Luminar was riding high. After going public during the pandemic and scoring a key deal with Volvo, the company had added Mercedes-Benz and Polestar as customers of its “life-saving” lidar sensors. Founder and CEO Austin Russell called it an “inflection point,” as Luminar prepped to have those sensors integrated into the first production vehicles.Volvo in particular was all-in on the technology. The Swedish automaker, which spent decades building a brand around the idea of making the safest ca ...
Netflix doubles down on video podcasts with iHeartMedia deal
TechCrunch· 2025-12-16 17:13
Netflix and audio powerhouse iHeartMedia have entered into a new partnership to bring 14 video podcasts exclusively to Netflix in early 2026, the companies announced Tuesday. This represents Netflix’s second major step into the podcast space, following its recent collaboration with Spotify.The new video podcast episodes will premiere on Netflix in the U.S. in early 2026, with plans to expand to additional markets. As part of the agreement, Netflix will get a diverse range of shows spanning comedy, crime, ...
Instagram brings Reels to the big screen, starting with Amazon Fire TV
TechCrunch· 2025-12-16 16:00
Instagram is expanding Reels-viewing beyond mobile, the social network announced on Tuesday. The company is piloting IG for TV, a new experience that lets you watch Reels on TV, starting with Amazon Fire TV.By bringing Reels to TVs, Instagram can better compete with YouTube, which largely dominates the TV space. Instagram likely wants viewers to switch to its TV app while watching content on the couch, similar to flipping through TV channels. For example, you could be watching something on Netflix and decid ...
Disney's OpenAI deal is exclusive for just one year — then it's open season
TechCrunch· 2025-12-15 22:17
In Brief Disney’s three-year licensing partnership with OpenAI includes just one of exclusivity, Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC. The company signed the partnership with OpenAI last week that will bring its iconic characters to the AI firm’s Sora video generator. Once that exclusive year is up, Disney is free to sign similar deals with other AI companies.The deal gives OpenAI a high-profile content partner, allowing users to draw on more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars to create ...
Nvidia bulks up open source offerings with an acquisition and new open AI models
TechCrunch· 2025-12-15 22:00
Nvidia continues to expand its footprint in open source AI on two fronts: an acquisition and a new model release.The semiconductor giant announced Monday it acquired SchedMD, the leading developer of popular open source workload management system Slurm. Nvidia said the company will continue to operate the program, which is designed for high-performance computing and AI, as an open source, vendor-neutral software. Slurm was originally launched in 2002 and SchedMD was founded in 2010 by the lead Slurm develo ...
Ford is starting a battery storage business to power data centers and the grid
TechCrunch· 2025-12-15 21:17
Amid Ford’s shift away from making large electric vehicles, the automaker is adding a new product line to find a home for its batteries. Ford said Monday that instead of scuttling plans to build the batteries for those vehicles, it will pivot that capacity into a new battery storage business. Those storage systems, which will use cheaper LFP batteries, will be used to power data centers and help buffer demand on the electric grid. Ford says the battery storage systems will start shipping in 2027 and that ...
Ford's next F-150 Lightning will have a gas generator as it pivots away from large EVs
TechCrunch· 2025-12-15 21:05
Ford is ending production of the fully-electric F-150 Lightning as part of a broader companywide shakeup of its electric vehicle plans, the company announced Monday. In its place, Ford will sell what’s known as an “extended range electric vehicle” version of the truck, which adds a gas generator that can recharge the battery pack to power the motors for over 700 miles. The company did not share when the new F-150 Lightning will go on sale, or how much it will cost. Ford said it will report a charge of $19.5 ...
Lidar-maker Luminar files for bankruptcy
TechCrunch· 2025-12-15 17:34
Lidar company Luminar has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after months of layoffs, executive departures, and a legal fight with its largest customer, Volvo. The company aims to sell off its lidar business during the bankruptcy proceeding, and has already reached a deal to sell its semiconductor subsidiary. While the company will continue to operate during the bankruptcy process to “minimize disruptions” for its suppliers and customers, Luminar will eventually cease to exist once it’s completed. ...