Latest news with #Waymo
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
‘Ultra Bullish,' Says Top Investor About Alphabet Stock
Suffice it to say, Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has not been one of the market's big stars during the first half of 2025. Though the technology giant has gained some 30% since a post-Liberation Day lull in early April, this has not been sufficient to claw back all of its losses from the first few months of the year. All told, GOOGL is down some 2% for 2025. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. There are many factors that sway the narrative surrounding a company as big as Alphabet, but first among equals seems to be the impact of AI. Indeed, one of the big fears is that LLMs could replace queries using Alphabet's search engine, leading to decreased ad sales – far and away the company's biggest source of revenue. One top investor known by the pseudonym Deep Value Investing will be paying close attention to these search figures during the company's upcoming Q2 2025 earnings on July 23. That being said, the 5-star investor is not too concerned. 'Overall, I remain bullish going into earnings, as I don't expect to see a major decline in revenue due to AI,' explains Deep Value Investing, who is among the top 3% of TipRanks' stock pros. Of course, Alphabet has many irons in the fire, and there are numerous reasons for Deep Value Investing's overall optimism. This includes the recent announcement that Google has become one of OpenAI's cloud infrastructure providers. Deep Value Investing calls this a 'major catalyst' for Alphabet, one that could even place Google Cloud Platform on par with Microsoft's Azure in the years to come. The investor is also quite keen on Alphabet's Waymo self-driving cars, noting that the company is 'obliterating Tesla' in the race for the robotaxi market. The company is expanding its self-driving service to other cities – and countries – and additional progress on this front on the upcoming earnings call could provide another boost for GOOGL. 'A concrete date for the international expansion would be highly bullish for the stock,' the investor adds. Summing up, Deep Value Investing is happy to reiterate an 'ultra bullish' stance on GOOGL just prior to the company's Q2 earnings report. 'I expect Google to deliver strong Q2 2025 results, with double-digit growth in both EPS and revenue,' predicts Deep Value Investing, who is assigning GOOGL a Strong Buy rating. (To watch Deep Value Investing's track record, click here) This mirrors the general view on Wall Street as well. With 29 Buy and 9 Hold ratings, GOOGL enjoys a Strong Buy consensus rating. Its 12-month average price target of $205.59 has an upside of ~11%. (See GOOGL stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Robotaxi riders raise red flags after experiencing concerning safety issues: 'The car didn't behave correctly'
Tesla launched its much-anticipated Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, last month, but early footage of the autonomous vehicle suggests it has a long way to go to catch up to a competitor, Waymo. Videos revealing operational glitches are also putting some residents on edge, prompting a new investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What's happening? Two days after Tesla's Robotaxi began offering rides on a limited basis in Austin, The Register was quick to compile and publish footage shared by influencers invited to try the service. While enthusiasm for the Robotaxi has been high among consumers and investors, it was dampened by a series of mishaps. YouTuber Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesla) saw his ride pull over in the middle of the street with its hazard lights on — not exactly a safe location for a drop-off. "Should I actually get out?" Dirty Tesla asks the safety monitor in the front passenger seat. Traffic continues to flow while the Robotaxi is at a standstill, before a remote operator intervenes to resume the ride (the incident begins at around the 9:30 mark). YouTuber Farzad (@FarzadMediaINC) also had his Robotaxi stop at an unfortunate spot: the tail end of an intersection and partially in a crosswalk (roughly the 38-minute mark). The footage prompted a flurry of criticism from worried viewers, to which Farzad responded: "Fully agree with everyone that the car didn't behave correctly." Rob Mauer, who hosts the "Tesla Podcast," witnessed his Robotaxi abort a left turn and drive on the wrong side of the street for several moments before getting back on course. He posted footage of his journey (around the 7:20 mark) on the social platform X. Why is this important? Tesla experienced a record decline in global sales over the first two quarters of 2025, per CNN, while its stocks have been on a roller coaster. A successful Robotaxi launch was supposed to help turn the tide. Consumers across political lines report viewing the brand through a less favorable lens, per an Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report poll, with CEO Elon Musk's political activities and public feuds negatively impacting public perception and worrying investors. While this may sound dire for consumers interested in EVs, given that Tesla is one of the most recognizable EV brands worldwide, it isn't all bad news. That's because increased market competition is one of the factors impacting Tesla's EV delivery numbers. Would you trust a self-driving car on a busy city street? Definitely No way Depends on the brand Depends on the situation Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With consumers having more options to choose from, the upfront cost of EVs has dropped, making the vehicles — coveted for their lower maintenance and energy costs, along with their contribution to healthier air quality with zero tailpipe pollution — accessible to more people. What is being done about robotaxi mistakes? Safety data from Waymo reveals that autonomous EV services can boost public safety, with the Tesla competitor revealing a 93% crash reduction involving pedestrians compared to the average human driver, as aligned with NHTSA's Standing General Order reporting timelines. While Waymo isn't immune to complaints from riders and isn't perfect, as The Register noted, it has seen an 88% reduction in crashes with serious injuries or worse (compared to human drivers). Previously, Musk delayed the Robotaxi launch, stating on X that Tesla was "being super paranoid about safety." The early Robotaxi returns suggest the company has more to do to live up to those promises. Meanwhile, the NHTSA is investigating Tesla's Robotaxi after opening a separate inquiry into its Smart Summon software. "Following an assessment of those reports and other relevant information, NHTSA will take any necessary actions to protect road safety," the organization said in a statement to The Register. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Electric vehicle expo CEO has blunt words on future, Elon Musk
The electric vehicle show Electrify Expo appeared at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash. on July 12-13. I had the opportunity to navigate the park and some roads around town in a Tesla Model 3 self-driving car, a Cybertruck and a Porsche Taycan. Of all those car-driving experiences, the Tesla self-driving Model 3 grabbed my attention the most. I was focused on attending to the matter of driving a car on a sunny hot Pacific Northwest day with a photographer and an event worker watching my every move. Then, kicking back and watching the car drive itself gave me the chance to relax and check things out around me, suddenly paying no attention at all to the car's technological intricacies. After the event, I received some intriguing comments from Electrify Expo CEO BJ Birtwell about the future of the electric vehicle industry, including bluntly stated thoughts about Elon Musk and Tesla (TSLA) . Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Through an email exchange, asked about the the future of EVs, Birtwell made a strong statement. "EV adoption is following the traditional S curve trajectory of any transformative technology," he wrote. "Early adopters came first, the early majority is happening now, and full market normalization will follow." Related: Dave Ramsey has blunt words for Americans buying a car "I'm talking broadly about electrification," he futher clarified. "Battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids. EVs won't be for everyone, but I do expect them to become the dominant form of passenger car transportation in the next 10 years, overtaking gas cars in new sales." "That said, gas cars won't go away in the U.S., nor should they. Consumers should have a choice on what they want to buy." Birtwell emphasized the point that there is a move in the works. "It's undeniable that virtually every major automaker has committed to electrification in some form," he wrote. "The shift is happening. It's just a question of how fast the infrastructure can catch up because the technology is outpacing the infrastructure now." "Infrastructure needs to catch up, and the politics need to get out of the way," Birtwell added. More on cars: Dave Ramsey has blunt words for Americans buying a carAlphabet's Waymo flexes on Tesla Robotaxi with latest updateTesla faces its most serious court battle in years Shifting to Tesla and Elon Musk, Birtwell made a key statement. "Tesla is more than one person," he wrote. "It's over 140,000 hardworking engineers, factory workers, service techs, and designers - people who aren't political operatives. They're builders. They're problem-solvers." "And in my experience, Tesla employees are some of the most tenacious, loyal, and mission-driven people I've ever met," Birtwell continued. "They have an insane level of grit and a commitment to advancing sustainable transportation." Related: Alphabet's Waymo flexes on Tesla Robotaxi with latest update Birtwell says he does not agree with everything Tesla founder Elon Musk says or does. And he makes his view clear. "Whether you love him or can't stand him, removing Tesla from the EV conversation isn't just unrealistic - it's revisionist," he wrote. "He's the Steve Jobs of the auto industry. He innovated to a point that forced nearly all other manufacturers to expand their product mix," Birtwell continued. "That said, EVs have now reached a point where the movement is bigger than any one person or company. Even if Tesla disappeared tomorrow, electrification would still continue - and that's a good thing." Birtwell adds additional statements on Tesla and how he envisions the future - and his mission. "Let's be clear," he said. "This conversation wouldn't be happening if not for Tesla. Love Elon Musk or hate him, he changed the trajectory of the auto industry. That's just a reality." Political and public policy tension has roiled Tesla, Elon Musk and the electric vehicle industry. Birtwell addresses that fact. "Recently, a large national protest group asked us to remove Tesla from our events," he wrote. "We won't. Choice matters. Access matters. And Electrify Expo will continue to stand for that." Related: Tesla faces its most serious court battle in years The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
14 interesting facts about self-driving cars
14 interesting facts about self-driving cars While they may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, driverless cars are quickly becoming part of the new normal. Here, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. shares 14 interesting facts about self-driving cars. 1. The Idea of Driverless Cars Dates Back to the 1930s The original idea of driverless cars was introduced by General Motors in a 1939 exhibit and made a reality in 1958. 2. Waymo Was a Secret By now, most people have heard of Waymo, Google's launch into the self-driving car industry. Waymo vehicles have currently logged the most miles out of all the various autonomous vehicle models. However, Waymo began as a secret. The project was started by Sebastian Thrun, who led his robotics team at Stanford University to win the DARPA Grand Challenge. In 2012, a few years after beginning the project, Google revealed that its fleet of autonomous vehicles had driven over 300,000 miles. By 2020, the vehicles had logged more than 20 million miles on public roads. 3. Driverless Car Stats Are Showing Only More Growth More than 1,400 driverless vehicles are currently in 3 billion miles have been logged using Tesla's autopilot drove over 20 million miles across 25 U.S. logged more than 450,000 miles in California in one and Aptiv deployed more than 100,000 commercial Robo-taxis in Las global self-driving vehicles industry is currently expanding by 16% of self-driving vehicles are projected to be 58 million units by global autonomous vehicle market is expected to reach nearly $450 million by 2035. 4. There Are 6 Levels of Automation According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, there are six levels of driving automation that range from level 0 with no automation to level 5, a fully automated, driverless car. Here is more information about each level of automation. LEVEL 0: No automation The human driver is responsible for all driving actions. LEVEL 1: Driver assistance An Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) may assist the driver with basic driving functions, such as accelerating, braking, or steering. Adaptive cruise control is an example of Level 1 automation. This feature controls acceleration and braking, usually in highway driving. Drivers may be able to remove their foot from the pedal using Level 1 automation. LEVEL 2: Partial automation Partial automation allows the vehicle to perform more complex functions and simultaneous actions, such as controlling steering, accelerating, and braking. However, the human driver must continue to pay attention. Level 2 automation includes highway or traffic jam assistance. LEVEL 3: Conditional automation This is the first level where the human driver may be able to disengage from driving in certain situations, such as in good weather and traffic conditions. However, the driver must be able to reengage when the system requests it. The vehicle can stop in case of a failure. LEVEL 4: High automation The vehicle's autonomous driving system can monitor the driving environment and operate all driving functions for routine routes and conditions. The vehicle can alert the driver if there is something beyond its limits that requires the driver to take over. If the human driver does not respond, the vehicle will secure itself. LEVEL 5: Full automation No human driver is necessary at this level of automation because the vehicle is fully autonomous and can operate under any conditions. Humans may not be in the vehicle. Vehicles at this level of automation may not have a steering wheel or gas or brake pedals. 5. Autonomous Vehicles Rely on Many Sensors Autonomous vehicles are typically equipped with many different sensors. Sensors monitor various data points and feed this information into the vehicle's computer. There may be several sensors in the vehicle, including: Autonomous vehicles use sensors and other technologies to create a map of their surroundings. As they receive more information, they fill in more information on the map. They process the sensory input and plot a path based on it. The vehicles are also equipped with complex algorithms, predictive machine learning systems, and object recognition tools to help the software follow traffic rules and avoid collisions. 6. The NHTSA Has Identified Five Major Benefits of Autonomous Cars The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has identified five major advantages of autonomous vehicles. Safety Most serious car accidents are caused by human error, so the NHTSA believes that autonomous vehicles could be safer by removing human drivers and eliminating their potential mistakes. Economic and societal benefits Motor vehicle collisions cost more than $250 billion in economic activity each year. Car accidents cause injuries, property damage, lost workplace productivity, deaths, and decreased quality of life. Eliminating the major factor that causes these accidents (the human element) could save many of these costs. Efficiency and convenience Roads could be more easily maintained and regulated with autonomous vehicles. Drivers spent nearly 4 billion hours stuck in traffic delays in 2024 Mobility Driverless vehicles could help people with disabilities that prevent them from driving. Increased mobility could provide new pathways to employment and a higher quality of life. Environmental Driverless vehicles are usually electric, which can improve efficiency and spur less personal driving, resulting in significant environmental benefits. 7. Autonomous Cars Still Face Safety Challenges While these potential benefits are exciting, autonomous vehicles still face challenges that pose a threat to safety. Lidar and radar sensor limitations Most serious car accidents are caused by human error, so the NHTSA believes that autonomous vehicles could be safer by removing human drivers and eliminating their potential mistakes. Traffic Autonomous vehicles may struggle in highly congested areas. Driverless cars are more likely to be involved in rear-end collisions, so they may have difficulty maintaining a safe distance in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Security breaches Driverless vehicles may be more susceptible to manipulation due to hacking. Reliance on artificial intelligence Drivers may become overly reliant on the technology, putting themselves in situations where they cannot quickly take control of the vehicle. Software may malfunction, leading to other accidents. 8. Driverless Cars Might Be Safer Now A study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, General Motors and Cruise published in late 2023 found that human rideshare drivers were more likely to be responsible for traffic crashes in San Francisco after reviewing data from 5.6 million miles of human rideshare drivers compared to 1 million miles of driverless rideshares. The researchers found that autonomous vehicles had 65% fewer collisions than humans. However, this technology is still being developed, so there may not be sufficient information to determine which set of drivers is really safer. 9. The First Pedestrian Death Involved an Uber Driver In 2018, a woman in Tempe, Arizona, was behind the wheel of a self-driving Uber vehicle that hit and killed a pedestrian. She was charged with negligent homicide and was believed to have been distracted by her phone at the time of the incident. The accident led to Arizona temporarily suspending driverless operations in the state. Uber's self-driving cars were involved in 37 minor accidents before the pedestrian death. 10. Driverless Cars Are More Likely to Be Involved in Rear-End Accidents A study published in a 2020 issue of the journal Transportation Research Procedia shows that out of the motor vehicle collisions studied in California between 2015 and 2017, 64.2% of those involving autonomous vehicles were rear-end accidents, compared to 28.3% of accidents involving conventional vehicles. 11. Most Autonomous Vehicle Accidents Occurred When the Vehicle Proceeds Straight The same study revealed that 65.2% of accidents involving autonomous vehicles occurred when the vehicle proceeded straight when it should not have. Other common driving maneuvers involving autonomous vehicles and how often they contributed to accidents include: 13% making a left turn8.7% making a right turn8.7% passing another vehicle2.2% changing lanes2.2% entering traffic 12. Driving at an Unsafe Speed Is the No. 1 Cause of Driverless Car Accidents The researchers also found the following driver errors in crashes involving autonomous vehicles: 13. Drivers Have Died While in 'Autopilot' To date, Tesla's Deaths database suggests 58 people have died in accidents involving the vehicle's autopilot program as of May 2025. 14. Driverless Cars Were Involved in Nearly 400 Crashes in 11 Months In June 2022, automakers reported nearly 400 crashes that involved vehicles with partially automated driver assistance systems over an 11-month period in 2021, according to the NHTSA. This included 273 crashes involving Tesla vehicles. This story was produced by Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Satyanandam Kotha IFGICT : Titan in Distributed Systems and AI
In a landmark announcement that resonates across the global technology landscape, Satyanandam Kotha, a distinguished Software Development Manager and Distributed Systems Engineer, has been awarded the prestigious IFGICT Fellow title by the International Federation of Global & Green ICT (IFGICT). This recognition from the world's largest ICT federation is a testament to Kotha's profound contributions, innovative leadership, and over 15 years of transformative impact in the fields of real-time systems, machine learning, and large-scale recommendation platforms. The IFGICT Fellowship is not merely an accolade; it is a profound acknowledgment of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, pioneered groundbreaking advancements, and significantly shaped the trajectory of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on a global scale. For Satyanandam Kotha, this honor underscores a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world. Satyanandam Kotha's journey through the technology industry is a compelling narrative of continuous innovation and strategic leadership. His career trajectory showcases a remarkable ability to navigate complex technical challenges and deliver solutions that have had a tangible impact on some of the world's most influential technology companies. His early career at IBM laid a solid foundation in enterprise-level solutions and robust system design. This foundational experience was crucial in developing the meticulous approach to engineering and problem-solving that would characterize his later work. The transition to Amazon saw Kotha at the forefront of customer engagement through cutting-edge recommendation technologies. As a key leader in the development of the Seasonal and Contextual Recommendations platforms, he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing how Amazon interacts with its vast customer base. These platforms, under his guidance, leveraged advanced machine learning algorithms to provide highly personalized product suggestions, directly contributing to significant increases in customer engagement and, consequently, substantial revenue growth. His work at Amazon wasn't just about building systems; it was about understanding user behavior at scale and translating that understanding into intelligent, dynamic recommendations that enhanced the overall shopping experience. Following his impactful tenure at Amazon, Satyanandam Kotha brought his unparalleled expertise to Uber, a company synonymous with real-time, large-scale mobility solutions. At Uber, his contributions were instrumental in critical projects within the Maps and Matching teams. This included crucial involvement in the Waymo integration, a complex endeavor that demanded sophisticated understanding of real-time geospatial data and robust system interoperability. Furthermore, he was instrumental in refining and improving rider-driver matching models, a core function that directly impacts the efficiency, reliability, and user satisfaction of Uber's global operations. Kotha's work in this domain involved intricate algorithms and real-time data processing, ensuring seamless and optimized connections between millions of riders and drivers daily. His innovations at Uber have not only influenced internal practices but have also served as a benchmark for other companies operating in the highly competitive mobility sector. What sets Satyanandam Kotha apart is his exceptional depth of expertise across multiple critical domains. His proficiency in real-time systems is evident in his work on high-throughput, low-latency applications that are essential for operations like Uber's ride-matching or Amazon's dynamic recommendations. Building and maintaining systems that process vast amounts of data instantaneously, making decisions and delivering results in milliseconds, requires a unique blend of architectural foresight, algorithmic prowess, and operational excellence. His profound knowledge of machine learning has been a driving force behind the intelligence embedded in the products he has helped build. From developing sophisticated algorithms for contextual recommendations to enhancing the accuracy of map-matching, Kotha has consistently leveraged ML to unlock new levels of performance and user value. He understands not just the theoretical underpinnings of machine learning but also the practical challenges of deploying and scaling ML models in production environments. Furthermore, his mastery of distributed systems engineering has been fundamental to his success at companies dealing with immense scale. Building platforms that can handle millions of concurrent users and petabytes of data requires a deep understanding of distributed databases, message queues, fault tolerance, and scalability patterns. Kotha's work has consistently pushed the envelope in designing and implementing robust, resilient, and highly scalable architectures that underpin the functionality of global technology giants. Beyond his technical acumen, Satyanandam Kotha is also recognized for his exceptional leadership and mentorship skills. Throughout his career, he has managed and nurtured high-performing engineering teams, fostering environments where innovation thrives and engineers are empowered to deliver their best work. His leadership style is characterized by a commitment to technical excellence, a focus on problem-solving, and a dedication to the growth and development of his team members. He understands that delivering scalable, business-critical solutions is not just about individual brilliance but about effective collaboration, clear communication, and collective problem-solving. The IFGICT Fellowship solidifies Satyanandam Kotha's position as a leading figure in the global ICT community. IFGICT, as the world's largest ICT federation, plays a crucial role in promoting best practices, standards, and advancements across the spectrum of information and communication technologies. By bestowing this honor upon Kotha, IFGICT acknowledges his significant contributions to advancing distributed and real-time systems in the industry, and his role in shaping the future of AI-driven products and mobility solutions. This award is not just a personal triumph for Satyanandam Kotha but also a source of inspiration for aspiring engineers and technologists worldwide. His career serves as a powerful example of how dedication, continuous learning, and a relentless pursuit of innovation can lead to profound impact on a global scale. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the insights and expertise of leaders like Satyanandam Kotha will be more crucial than ever in navigating the complexities and harnessing the opportunities of the digital age. With the IFGICT Fellow recognition, Satyanandam Kotha is poised to continue his influential work, driving further advancements in the realms of artificial intelligence, real-time data processing, and scalable software architectures. His proven track record of transforming complex challenges into impactful solutions suggests that his future contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the technological landscape, setting new standards for innovation and excellence within the industry and beyond. The ICT world eagerly anticipates the continued impact of this distinguished IFGICT Fellow. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
