Boston Dynamics unveils a brand new robotic, controversy over MKBHD, and layoffs at Tesla | TechCrunch

Symbol Credit: Boston DynamicsWelcome, people, to Week in Evaluation (WiR), TechCrunch’s weekly information recap. The elements’s getting warmer — however now not somewhat as scorching because the generative AI house, which noticed a slew of latest fashions launched this week, together with Meta’s Llama 3.
In different AI information, Hyundai-owned robotics corporate Boston Dynamics unveiled an electric-powered humanoid follow-up to its long-running Atlas robotic, which it just lately retired. As Brian writes, the brand new robotic — also known as Atlas — has a kinder, gentler design than each the unique Atlas and extra fresh robots just like the Determine 01 and Tesla Optimus.
Turning our consideration to YouTube for a second, Dom and Amanda wrote about how Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), the famed system reviewer, shouldn’t be blamed for the destiny of AI startup Humane AI, whose product, the Ai Pin, Brownlee gave a scathing assessment of previous this week. They indicate that Humane is a well-funded corporate with quite a lot of price range within the financial institution to burn, and in finding that critics of Brownlee — who accuse him of being unfairly harsh — have out of place their rage.
And Rebecca and Sean record on layoffs at Tesla, which they are saying hit prime performers and gutted some departments. The cuts have been in large part because of deficient monetary efficiency; Tesla’s observed its benefit margin slender during the last a number of quarters because the EV price competition persists.

So much else took place. We recap all of it on this version of WiR — however first, a reminder to enroll to obtain the WiR e-newsletter for your inbox each and every Saturday.

Information
X fees for posting: X CEO Elon Musk is making plans to fee new X customers a small charge to permit posting at the social community so that you could curb what he describes as a “bot downside.”
Trade ransomware: An extortion team has printed a portion of what it claims are the personal and delicate affected person data on hundreds of thousands of American citizens stolen throughout the ransomware assault on Trade Healthcare in February.
Tesla adjusts costs: In additional Tesla information, the automaker ditched EV stock value reductions in what CEO Elon Musk characterised as a transfer to “streamline” gross sales and supply. Tesla additionally dropped the cost of its complicated driving force help bundle, Complete Self-Riding, to $99 monthly within the U.S.
Mars free-for-all: Devin reviews that house startups are licking their lips over NASA’s resolution to transform its $11 billion, 15-year undertaking to assemble and go back samples from Mars into necessarily a business free-for-all.
Waymo issues: Six Waymo robotaxis blocked visitors shifting onto an on-ramp in San Francisco on Tuesday. It’s now not the primary time Waymo automobiles have led to a street blockage, notes Rebecca — however that is the primary documented incident involving a highway.
Research
Google Cloud bets on generative AI: Ron writes about how Google Cloud is making an investment closely in generative AI, as evidenced by means of the string of bulletins throughout Google’s Cloud Subsequent convention previous within the month.
Generative AI in well being: Generative AI is coming for healthcare — however now not everybody’s delighted. Some mavens don’t suppose the tech is able for high time.
Airchat, for speaking: Anthony breaks down the hype over Airchat, an app introduced by means of former AngelList founder Naval Ravikant and ex-Tinder product exec Brian Norgard that specializes in voice, now not textual content.

Author: OpenAI