Latest news with #SouthbySouthwestConferenceandFestival
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Latest data show Austinites are embracing Waymos; rival Tesla taxi just months from launch
If it seems like there are more of Waymo's distinctive self-driving vehicles on Austin's roads these days, it's likely because data show that these autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly popular among residents. Launched in March, a partnership between Waymo and Uber brought self-driving cars to Austin via the popular ride-hailing service's app. Since then, the latest data from market research website YipitData show promising numbers for the popularity of the service in Austin. The encouraging data reflect Waymo's long-standing relationship with the city of Austin, where self-driving cars have been tested extensively. The company's success also sets the stage for a showdown as the deadline for hometown brand Tesla to roll out its Robotaxi service rapidly approaches. According to YipitData, the last week of March was significant for Waymo, as it accounted for 20% of all Uber trips in Austin. Moreover, the analysis showed that autonomous rides in Austin were more than 80% higher than those in San Francisco during its launch there. While this could be due to the increased familiarity that consumers are experiencing with autonomous vehicles, it is also important to point out that these rides were administered by the more popular Uber app, rather than the Waymo One app. Also, shortly after Waymo launched rides in Austin, it enjoyed a spike due to the South by Southwest Conference and Festival. Waymo now operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and parts of Silicon Valley. The company plans to expand to markets like Atlanta and Miami in the future. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said very little about what a self-driving car service from the brand would look like. However, two key pieces of information that have been mentioned are that the service is scheduled to hit Austin roads in June and that it will do so via a new app. More: Tesla announces robotaxi ride-hailing service just weeks before Waymo launches with Uber The rides are also said to be backed by Tesla's yet-to-be-released 'unsupervised' version of its Full Self-Driving software. Musk has clarified that Tesla owners will not yet be able to add their own cars to the ride-hailing service, an idea he previously pushed during the brand's announcement of the Robotaxi. Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@ This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Latest data show Austinites are embracing Waymos; what to know
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Austin robotics startup secures $13.5M in funding after winning SXSW Pitch award
An Austin-based robotics startup has secured millions in funding after winning the South by Southwest Conference and Festival's Pitch Award. Contoro Inc. recently filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating the start-up has raised $13.5 million from 11 investors. The company had previously raised $8.5 million from backers like South Korean firm SV Investment, Bass Investment, Future Play, Kakao Ventures and UT Seed Fund, among others. Contoro develops autonomous robots, called "Dock Duck," for trailer and container unloading, with its primary technology being the artificial intelligence and remote operation of its robotic arms. The company is led by founder and CEO Youngmok 'Mok' Yun, who also co-founded the Austin-based robotic rehabilitation startup Harmonic Bionics. The additional funding comes after the company announced its bots have unloaded at least a hundred trucks through its partnerships with States Logistics. Contoro was one of two Austin-based startups to win pitch awards during SXSW's first weekend. The company won in the robotics, web3, voice & extended reality category. The other Austin company, Polygraf AI, won the enterprise, smart data, fintech and future of work category as well as best in show. Contoro did not respond to requests for comment. Contoro is not the only Austin-based startup to see large amounts of funding in recent months. More: At SXSW, Austin-based Apptronik, NASA explore what humanoid robots could do in space Apptronik received additional $53 million investment led by Mercedes-Benz last week for the company's autonomous humanoid robots, called Apollo. Mercedes is also planning to incorporate the startups's robots in its manufacturing lines in the near future. And NinjaOne, an Austin startup that makes an endpoint monitoring and management platform that helps IT professionals and companies secure computer devices, recently announced that it had raised $500 million in a funding round at a $5 billion valuation. The funding more than doubled the company's value from a year ago. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin robotics startup raises $13.5M after winning SXSW Pitch award
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Anna Kendrick avoids awkward questions amid co-star Blake Lively's legal battles
Anna Kendrick avoids awkward questions amid co-star Blake Lively's legal battles Show Caption Hide Caption Blake Lively appears at 'Another Simple Favor' premiere amid lawsuits Blake Lively made a public appearance at SXSW as she and "It Ends with Us" director Justin Baldoni litigate alleged on-set misconduct in court. Anna Kendrick is doing herself a simple favor and avoiding those questions about co-star Blake Lively. The "Pitch Perfect" franchise alum appeared at the "Another Simple Favor" premiere at South by Southwest Conference and Festival and brought her signature humor to the controversy surrounding her co-star's legal drama with Justin Baldoni. During a red carpet interview, a Variety reporter asked Kendrick if she felt the movie was impacted by "everything going around in the world," seemingly referencing Lively's legal battle with her ex-co-star and director. "Why, what happened? I did ayahuasca and the last year of my life is just gone, but I heard the movie is amazing," Kendrick said before blowing a kiss and walking away. Blake Lively steps out for 'Another Simple Favor' premiere at SXSW amid competing lawsuits While stopping to interact with SXSW fans, Kendrick was asked what it means to her to be working with Lively once again to which she responded, "oh you know," before moving down the line to take a photo with a fan. "Another Simple Favor" follows Stephanie (Kendrick) on her way to the wedding of Emily (Lively) − years after a joint murder-suicide mission landed one in jail and one with a publishing contract. Now, Emily is out of prison and set to wed a wealthy Italian businessman, played by Michele Morrone, and she wants Stephanie as her maid of honor. Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively faced own feud rumors Kendrick and Lively have long been the subject of feud rumors of their own. On a July 2021 episode of "Watch What Happens Live," a fan asked guest Henry Golding about a potential feud between his "A Simple Favor" co-stars. "No, definitely not. I think they got on pretty reasonably well ... I think," Golding replied. "Uhm, definitely no friction that I noticed." Host Andy Cohen jokingly responded that the "key words are 'reasonably' and 'that I noticed.'" Lively's appearance at Friday night's SXSW premiere was one of her few public outings since her relationship with Baldoni, her director and co-star on "It Ends with Us," soured and turned into multiple competing court battles. Though "It Ends with Us" premiered in August, that was only the beginning for all the headlines that emerged about a reported rift among the cast. As 2024 came to a close, Lively sued Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios and some of the public relations strategists they worked with, alleging sexual harassment in a workplace setting, retaliation, breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Contributing: Erin Jensen, KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Robbie Farias, Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
She Media's SXSW 2025 activation brings free vibrators, a hyperbaric chamber and more
Where exactly at the South by Southwest Conference and Festival can you pick up a free vibrator? Yes, that's right, a free vibrator and lubricant. Personal pleasure company Plus One is handing them out at She Media's Co-lab activation space at 304 E. Third St. All you have to do is scan a QR code and create a profile. On Friday, women of all ages, and some men, were picking up the vibrators as well as stickers that said, "Feel the Beat" and "Glide and Vibe." You also could try a hyperbaric chamber from New York-based MD Hyperbaric, get professional headshots through Edward Jones, and try Lifeway Kefir and Doctor Death water drinks. Can't make it to SXSW 2025 in Austin? See full schedule, how to watch livestream The Co-Lab is open Friday through Sunday with its own women's health programming track. Speakers include Katie Couric, whom we spotted in the lobby, as well as Stacy London, Christy Turlington Burns, Naomi Watts, and Chelsea Handler. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: She Media brings free vibrators, hyperbaric chamber and more to SXSW
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SXSW is back in Austin! Here's your ultimate guide for SXSW 2025
It's that time again! The South by Southwest Conference and Festival is celebrating its 37th anniversary in Austin over the next week, and there are events for all to enjoy. The festival offers a blend of innovation and artistic expression. For those attending SXSW for the first time, expect an experience featuring live music, film screenings, interactive tech demonstrations and numerous networking opportunities. Here's everything you should know about SXSW. SXSW through the years: 38 years of music, movies and photos See Statesman photographer Jay Janner's favorites SXSW music photos from the last 20 years Seeing Austin's signature event through ever-changing vantage points as SXSW 2025 begins A dissident view: SXSW through the lens of Austin critic and historian Michael Corcoran For Austin-area hotels, arrival of SXSW 2025 guests ushers in surge in bookings, room rates Heading to SXSW 2025 in Austin for the first time? Here are 10 things you should know Free SXSW events 2025 in Austin: Music, art, activations and interactive experiences Free music! Chocolate! Shrimp? Over 35 SXSW 2025 events you can experience without a badge From buzz bands to BLK ODYSSY: Six free SXSW shows for the badge-less masses No SXSW badge? RSVPs still available for these 5 free music showcases if you hurry Uber and Waymo officially launch autonomous vehicle service in Austin ahead of SXSW 2025 In town for SXSW? These are Austin restaurants with Michelin stars and James Beard awards 18 best lunch and dinner carryout options in downtown Austin during SXSW 2025 Whata-painting? Whataburger brings fan art, Monterrey Melt samples to SXSW 2025 Celeb spotting at SXSW 2025: Where to see Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Nicole Kidman, more Former First Lady Michelle Obama to speak at SXSW 2025 in Austin next week What's Ant Man doing here? Paul Rudd puts on a show during SXSW EDU Conference Issa Rae, Pedro Pascal and Conan O'Brien to speak at SXSW 2025 in Austin. See full lineup Ramy Youssef, Chelsea Handler, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe to tape podcasts at SXSW in Austin Amazon Prime SXSW 2025 activation highlights trendy movies, TV shows and more 25 recommended titles to check out at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV festival 12 must-see movies at SXSW 2025: World premieres with Blake Lively, Nicole Kidman, more 'Another Simple Favor' with Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick to premiere at SXSW 2025 A breakdown of Blake Lively movie drama as 'Another Simple Favor' premieres at SXSW 2025 Rolling Stone back at SXSW 2025: RSVP for free shows by Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, more Canada House canceled for SXSW amid tensions between US, Canada. Who is still performing? Mark Cuban, quantum computing and the must-see speakers of SXSW's 2025 Tech Industry Track Wisk showcases fully autonomous, electric air taxis ahead of SXSW in Austin, see photos This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: SXSW 2025: An ultimate guide for Austin's film, movie, music festival
