Automotive Industry

Volvo ES90 Electric Sedan's Advanced Computing Power

Volvo's upcoming ES90 electric sedan will feature a dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin configuration, making it the most powerful Volvo car in terms of computing capacity. This new supercomputer is part of Volvo's Superset tech stack, which will underpin all of its next-generation vehicles. The Orin system's 508 trillion operations per second represent an eightfold improvement in processing speeds. This increased processing power will enable Volvo to enhance its deep learning model and neural network. Volvo envisions a future where features like driver assist technology and battery range can be improved over time thanks to this new tech stack, with improvements being translatable between the EX90 and ES90.

Space Exploration

NASA's Potential Shift to Mars

Jared Isaacman, a potential NASA administrator, has suggested a possible change in the agency's focus towards Mars rather than the Moon. This comes as NASA faces expected budget cuts and layoffs, coupled with delays and cost overruns in the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon. Boeing, a major NASA contractor, is also preparing for layoffs related to its space division due to anticipated revisions in the Artemis program.

Defense Technology

Saronic's $600M Funding for Autonomous Warships

Saronic, a defense startup based in Austin, secured $600 million in Series C funding led by Elad Gil, pushing its valuation to $4 billion. This investment will fuel the construction of "Port Alpha," an autonomous ship factory designed to enhance U.S. shipbuilding capabilities and rival China. Saronic has already created three autonomous surface vessel models and plans to develop larger unmanned ships. CEO Dino Mavrookas credits the company's quadrupled valuation to its rapid development of new vessels and software, showcasing the ongoing expansion of defense tech in Silicon Valley.

Business and Finance

X's Funding Round

Elon Musk's social media platform X is reportedly looking to raise funding at a valuation of $44 billion, the same price Musk paid for Twitter in October 2022, according to a Bloomberg report. Since Musk's takeover, X's revenue has dropped significantly, but with plans to enable financial transactions and integrate Musk's AI company, xAI, the company is now seeking funds at the same valuation.

Trump's Tariff Plans and Apple's New iPhone

Bloomberg reports that President Trump plans to introduce new tariffs, nearly 25%, on autos, chips and more. Additionally, Apple is adding the iPhone 16E to its lineup.

Elon Musk's DOGE Controversy

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is under scrutiny for allegedly fraudulent claims of saving taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. DOGE claims to have saved $55 billion, but the website only accounts for $16 billion, including an accounting error. An $8 billion contract claim for an ICE diversity program was later corrected to $8 million after a New York Times report revealed the discrepancy.

Aerospace Industry

FAA Hires SpaceX Engineers

The FAA has hired SpaceX engineers as senior advisors under Schedule A, a special authority for hiring persons with disabilities. These hires occurred as Sean Duffy announced SpaceX engineers would visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia. Elon Musk stated SpaceX engineers will help make air travel safer. Concerns have been raised as some engineers were allegedly not fully vetted by their start date. These hires follow terminations of FAA probationary employees and the deadliest month of US aviation disasters in over a decade.

Space Exploration

Karman+ Raises $20 Million for Asteroid Mining Spacecraft

Karman+, a startup focused on building autonomous spacecraft for asteroid mining, has secured $20 million in seed funding. The company aims to construct a vessel capable of traveling to asteroids, extracting water, and returning to Earth's orbit to refuel space tugs and extend the lifespan of aging satellites. Leveraging advancements in autonomous technology, space exploration, and off-the-shelf components, Karman+ plans for its first launch in 2027.

Technology

4iG Stock Surge on SpaceX Deal Speculation

Shares of Hungary's 4iG Nyrt. experienced a significant surge, reaching a record high due to speculation about a potential business deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Automotive Industry

Tesla Cybertruck Safety and Challenges

The Tesla Cybertruck has received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, aligning with other Tesla vehicles. In frontal crash tests, it achieved 5 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger, though knee airbags didn't deploy in the tested configuration. Side crash tests earned 5 stars, while the rollover test resulted in 4 stars, with a 12.4% rollover risk. Prior to this independent testing, safety experts had raised concerns about the Cybertruck’s stainless steel body and sharp angles regarding pedestrian safety and crumple zone effectiveness.

Despite Elon Musk's enthusiasm, describing it as "heart-stopping," the Cybertruck faces challenges in the competitive pickup market. While Tesla labels it as 'bestselling,' the Cybertruck has experienced discounts and recalls, including issues with faulty inverters and accelerator pedals. Deliveries have been delayed due to windshield wiper problems. The base model now costs almost $100,000. There have also been reports of vandalism and software issues causing drivers to be stranded. The electric truck starts at $60,990 with a range of up to 340 miles. The Cyberquad for Kids is also back as a toy.