Group 1: Precious Metals - Gold prices have increased by more than 70% in 2025, reaching new records [1] - Silver has gained over 150% during the same period, also hitting new highs [1] Group 2: Lottery - A single winning ticket for Powerball's second largest jackpot of $1.8 billion was sold at a gas station near Little Rock, Arkansas [2] - The identity of the winner will not be known until at least today due to the lottery claim center being closed for the holidays [2] Group 3: Autonomous Vehicles - Self-driving car startup Whimo has paused its robo-taxi service in San Francisco due to flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service [3] - The decision was influenced by recent rainstorms affecting California [3] Group 4: Mergers and Acquisitions - Snowflake is reportedly in talks to acquire AI startup Observe for approximately $1 billion, which would be its largest acquisition to date [4] - Observe operates a monitoring and analytics platform aimed at software developers and IT departments [4]

Technology & Innovation - The industry observes that planes can already fly and land autonomously [1] - The industry expresses surprise that some individuals doubt the widespread adoption of self-driving cars [1]

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is one of the best forever stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On December 17, analysts at Citizens reiterated that Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is a Market Outperform with a $340 price target. The positive stance is in response to Waymo’s third-quarter operational update. Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) is a Buy at Citizens on Waymo Operational Progress as RBC Capital Downplays Real Estate Prospects The autonomous driving subsidiary says its cumulative rider miles increased by 28 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the transition of Sergio Avedian from a Wall Street trader to a ride-hailing driver for Uber and Lyft, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced by gig workers in the evolving landscape of transportation technology [1][2]. Group 1: Background and Career Transition - Sergio Avedian, originally from Istanbul, Turkey, had a successful career as a trader on Wall Street before retiring early in 2005 [3]. - After retirement, Avedian became interested in ride-hailing services, particularly Uber, after learning about it from a friend in 2016 [4]. Group 2: Insights on Ride-Hailing and Trading - Avedian draws parallels between ride-hailing and trading, emphasizing the importance of understanding market trends to maximize earnings, such as positioning in high-demand areas during peak times [5]. - He earned up to $80 an hour as a driver, reflecting the potential income opportunities available in the gig economy [4]. Group 3: Advocacy for Gig Workers - Avedian believes that gig work platforms like Uber and Lyft have created significant opportunities but stresses the need for drivers to start saving for their future due to the lack of traditional employee benefits [7]. - He has initiated a personal finance website and YouTube channel aimed at educating gig workers about financial planning and investment strategies [7][6].

Hey, Rivia. >> About 222 miles away. >> Uh, can we actually go to Heavenly Resort in South Lake Tahoe.>> I found Heavenly Mountain Resort about 222 miles away. Would you like to go there or one of the other results. >> Yeah, let's do that one.>> Rivian's autonomy and AI day was a big deal. The company outline its self-driving strategy, an iterative process that will work across 3.5% million miles in the US and then evolve into an eyesree and hands-free self-driving product that will the eventual goal being ...

Core Viewpoint - Lucid Motors, despite having advanced technology and strong financial backing, is struggling to attract customers and meet production targets, which poses a significant challenge for the company [3][5]. Production and Sales - Lucid is increasing production of its Gravity SUV but has only sold a few hundred units in 2025 due to supply chain issues [4][14]. - The company reported a net loss of nearly $1 billion in the third quarter, which was worse than Wall Street's expectations [5]. - Deliveries have increased for seven consecutive quarters, with a 47% rise over the third quarter of 2024 [14]. Market Position and Competition - Lucid's Air sedan is the top-selling electric full-size luxury sedan, with 10,241 vehicles delivered in 2023, a 71% increase from 2022 [9][10]. - However, the overall market for premium electric sedans is limited, as SUVs and crossovers dominate sales [12][13]. - Tesla's Model Y remains the best-selling vehicle globally, significantly outpacing Lucid's offerings [11]. Financial Health and Investment - Lucid's liquidity has been bolstered by a loan facility increase from $750 million to approximately $2 billion, bringing total liquidity to $5.5 billion [19]. - The company is about 55% owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has invested billions and shown patience during Lucid's production ramp-up [18][19]. Future Plans and Technology - Lucid is developing a mid-size crossover priced around $50,000 to compete in a more accessible market segment [21]. - The company is also investing in autonomous vehicle technology in partnership with Uber and Nvidia [20]. - Lucid claims its vehicles are 30% to 40% more efficient than competitors, which could lead to better margins despite current losses [22][23]. Marketing and Brand Awareness - Lucid faces challenges in brand awareness compared to established luxury brands, prompting a new marketing strategy featuring actor Timothee Chalamet as a brand ambassador [27]. - The company aims to shift its marketing focus from vehicle capabilities to the lifestyle associated with owning a Lucid vehicle [27].

A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin, Texas, US, on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The launch of Tesla Inc.'s driverless taxi service Sunday is set to begin modestly, with a handful of vehicles in limited areas of the city. Photographer: Tim Goessman/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesNearly six months after launching a limited Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas with safety drivers in the car, the company says it's testing driverless vehicles in the city without humans on board."T ...

🚨 Bank of America says autonomous ride-hailing could become a massive $1T+ US marketToday, ride-hailing covers just 1% of the 3 trillion miles Americans drive each year. If self-driving cars cut costs closer to owning a car, adoption could jump to 20% of miles over the next 15 years.BofA says Uber can still grow strongly, keep solid margins, and benefit even as players like Tesla, Waymo, and Zoox enter the market. $TSLALink: https://t.co/JTQQCh2E1I ...

Core Insights - Rivian's decision to incorporate lidar technology in its upcoming R2 SUV is driven by significant cost reductions in lidar sensors, making them feasible for mass-production vehicles [1][4] - The integration of lidar is expected to enhance the robustness of Rivian's autonomous driving system, allowing the company to achieve its self-driving goals more rapidly [4] - Rivian's approach contrasts with Tesla's strategy, which relies solely on camera-based systems for self-driving capabilities [4][5] Cost and Technology - Lidar technology has seen a dramatic decrease in price over the past decade, from five-figure costs to a few hundred dollars for similar units today [2][5] - Rivian plans to launch the R2 without lidar in early 2026, with a starting price of $45,000, and aims to introduce a lidar-equipped version by late 2026 [6] Industry Context - Lidar is increasingly recognized in the automotive sector, particularly for its role in enhancing safety in autonomous vehicles, as demonstrated by companies like Waymo [3] - Rivian's VP of autonomy, James Philbin, emphasizes the importance of using multiple sensors for safety-critical applications, positioning lidar as a valuable addition to the company's technology stack [4]

The first time I let the vehicle take control, something shifted. As the car guided itself through traffic, I felt tension melt away https://t.co/cQUhZQOP5x ...