Uber, Waymo unleashing fleet of self-driving taxis in Atlanta, Austin next year
Uber and Waymo announced the expansion of their partnership on Friday, Sept. 13, which will involve the release of a fleet of robotaxis in Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin, Texas, by early 2025. Riders will be able to get the autonomous taxis only through the Uber app, according to the press release.
The vehicles used for the service will be the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles that the companies say will “grow to hundreds over time.” However, the exact number of vehicles that will be on the streets of Austin and Atlanta has not yet been revealed.
The two companies called the relationship “mutually beneficial.” They said Uber will handle fleet management like repairing and cleaning the cars, while Waymo will oversee testing and operation of “Waymo Driver,” as well as handling roadside assistance and rider support. The two companies did not share how they would split profits.
The companies have not always been friendly with each other. In 2017, Waymo sued Uber over allegedly stealing its trade secrets and patent infringement. Waymo said Uber used its technology in Uber’s subsidiary self-driving truck known as Otto. The two companies eventually reached a settlement.
Waymo previously planned to partner with Lyft for robotaxis in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic took that plan out of commission. Uber was also developing its own fleet of autonomous taxis to reportedly replace all human drivers years ago. However, that effort ended in 2017 after an Uber vehicle struck and killed a woman. A federal investigation found that Uber was partly responsible for the incident.
Uber and Lyft are joining NYC’s once exclusive club of screen advertising
Advertisements are iconic to New York City. Now, they are soon to be played in Uber and Lyft vehicles throughout the Big Apple after a new law was finalized on Friday, Aug. 16. The New York City Council passed a law in December 2023 that allows Uber and Lyft drivers to install screens filled with advertisements in their vehicles, just like what riders see in the city’s yellow taxi cabs currently.
The new rule requires that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) allow Uber and Lyft drivers to install the tablets that have been exclusive fixtures in yellow cabs for years. The law also requires that drivers receive 25% of the revenue of any ad played in their vehicle.
Most Uber and Lyft drivers interviewed were reportedly in favor of the changes, saying that it will boost their income. Some drivers’ wallets have taken a hit in recent months after Uber and Lyft apps started kicking them off to comply with city-mandated limits on how long they can drive around without a passenger.
Some employees even said that they would like two tablets in their vehicles if possible.
The TLC is currently finalizing the rules on when and how the screens can be installed. Right now, the new tablets would not allow riders to tip their drivers through the screen. The lack of tipping ability has drawn some critics. It prompted a TLC spokesperson to disclose that the company is currently working on a way to tip drivers without having to add credit card readers in an employee’s car. Currently, riders can tip through the mobile app for both rideshare companies.
Police warn of fake rideshare drivers luring riders at Atlanta airport
Atlanta police are cautioning travelers at the city’s international airport to be vigilant of impostors posing as rideshare drivers. Recognized as the busiest airport globally, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport saw nearly 94 million passengers navigate its gates in 2022.
Local news station 11Alive reported several individuals, masquerading as rideshare drivers, actively soliciting rides from unsuspecting passengers. These imposters offer lower rates and accept various payment methods, but their intentions might extend beyond financial gain — potentially including human trafficking.
The Atlanta Police Department has been engaging in undercover operations that have led to multiple arrests and citations. However, despite these efforts, travelers are still being targeted by repeat offenders.
Officials advise travelers to confirm their rideshare arrangements through official apps and to meet drivers only in designated areas. Additionally, police recommend that passengers ask drivers for the name of the person they are picking up, instead of offering their own name.
1 dead, 22 injured in Super Bowl parade shooting: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 15, 2024
One person is dead and more than 20 are wounded after shots are fired at a parade for the Super Bowl champions. And the lander looking to be the first U.S. spacecraft to touch down on the moon in five decades lifts off into space. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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1 dead, 22 injured in shooting at Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade
At least one person was killed and 22 others were injured, including at least eight children, after shots were fired following following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday, Feb. 14, sending fans running for cover outside Union Station. Video shows police holding down an apparent suspect.
Police confirmed three people have been detained but have not announced their identities or said if they will face charges. Authorities are looking into reports that bystanders tackled one of the three people being detained.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters she was angry over what had taken place.
“The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment,” Graves said. “We had over 800 law enforcement officers, Kansas City, and other agencies at the location to keep everyone safe. Because of bad actors, which were very few, this tragedy occurred.”
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the parade in downtown Kansas City to cheer on the Chiefs after their victory at Super Bowl LVIII. Police said all members of the Chiefs’ organization were safe. The NFL and several players issued statements following the shooting, including Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who posted on X, “Praying for Kansas City.”
Warning of ‘serious national security threat’ prompts alerts on Russia
More details are coming to light after a cryptic message by Congressman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, who warned of a “serious national security threat.” Turner, the Republican Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, called on President Biden to declassify all information related to the threat but did not elaborate further.
Multiple news outlets, citing sources, said Turner was referring to Russia, specifically its attempts at developing a nuclear-capable weapon in space that could take down satellites. The sources added that it is not currently an active threat. Connecticut Congressman Jim Hines, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters that while the issue is serious, people should not panic.
Leaders in the Senate Intelligence Committee issued a statement saying they have the intelligence in question and have been tracking the issue. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he had already scheduled a briefing for Thursday, Feb. 15, with congressional leaders and administration intelligence professionals to discuss the matter.
Houston-based Intuitive Machines hopes its lander, Odysseus, will be the first U.S. spacecraft to touch down on the moon in over five decades. NASA is paying the company $118 million to carry six items, including a camera to observe the dust upon landing and a radio receiver system to study charged particles on the moon’s surface.
Other items taken on the trip include insulation material from Columbia Sportswear and a sculpture from artist Jeff Koons. Odysseus is scheduled to land on the moon’s south pole on Feb. 22.
FDA approves first drug to treat severe frostbite
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat severe frostbite in adults and reduce the risk of finger or toe amputation. The drug, Aurlumyn, injects affected areas and treats frostbite by opening blood vessels and preventing clots. It is expected to be available in the spring of 2024.
Frostbite happens when the skin and tissue get damaged by cold temperatures and occurs in stages, with painkillers and antibiotics typically used to treat mild frostbite. Severe frostbite, which happens when the skin and underlying tissue freeze, stopping blood flow, sometimes requires amputations.
Lyft admits to typo in earnings report
One company just found out how important it is to check for typos. The rideshare company Lyft saw its stock soar over 60% following the release of its quarterly earnings report late Tuesday, Feb. 13. The report said Lyft was expecting one of its profit margins to expand by 500 basis points, meaning five percentage points. Still, in reality, it was only expected to expand by 50 basis points or 0.5%.
The company admitted to the error during a call with investors on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Its CEO told CNBC he hopes the missed extra zero doesn’t take away from Lyft delivering its best financial quarter in its history. And despite the error and correction, the company’s stock was still up on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
University of Pennsylvania to be first Ivy League offering AI program
The rise of artificial intelligence is bringing change to almost every aspect of our lives, which means companies are looking for engineers with AI skills. Now, students at one Ivy League university can earn a degree in AI, and it’s not a fake.
The University of Pennsylvania will become the first Ivy League school to offer an engineering degree in AI when the undergrad program starts in the fall of 2024. Penn said the program will allow students to unlock AI’s potential as they learn the ethics of AI, legal matters surrounding the technology, and other topics. Penn will be the first Ivy League to have an artificial intelligence program, but other U.S. colleges, including Carnegie Mellon and Purdue, also offer bachelor’s degrees in AI.
House GOP impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 14, 2024
In their second attempt, House Republicans vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And a driver is killed after crashing into the emergency room of a Texas hospital, leaving others critically injured. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
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The GOP had the votes Tuesday night, Feb. 13, after failing to pass the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 6, thanks to the return of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had been absent while seeking blood cancer treatment. The articles of impeachment passed by a vote of 214-213, with three Republicans siding with Democrats to oppose impeaching Mayorkas. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Mayorkas fueled “the worst border catastrophe in American history.”
While a spokesperson for DHS said the impeachment was done “without a shred of evidence or constitutional grounds.” The issue now heads to trial in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is unlikely to vote to remove Mayorkas from office.
Tuesday’s vote marked only the second time in U.S. history that the House has impeached a cabinet member. The last time was in 1876.
Democrat Tom Suozzi wins NY election to replace George Santos
Voters battled through a winter storm to make it to the polls. With 93% of the votes in, Suozzi won 54% compared to 46% for Pilip.
Suozzi is returning to the House after giving up his seat in 2022 to run for Governor. He previously served three terms.
Driver dead 5 others injured after vehicle crashes into Austin ER
The driver was killed after crashing into an Austin, Texas, emergency room, while five others were left injured in the incident. Footage taken by a bystander right after the crash happened shows hospital staff and responders clearing the lobby and moving the injured through a cloud of smoke while the sounds of screeching tires continue in the background.
According to police, the crash occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, and does not appear to have been intentional. The crash left five people hurt. Two children and one adult were transported to a local children’s hospital. One of the kids is said to be in critical condition. Another adult was taken to a different area hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The fifth person injured was treated on-site at the emergency room.
According to the chief medical officer at the Austin hospital, eight others in the emergency room who were not injured in the crash were transported to other hospitals in the area so the emergency room could regroup after the incident.
Uber, Lyft, Doordash drivers to walk off job, hold rallies at airports
SpaceX postpones launch of private company’s moon lander
If you are looking to see a video of the latest launch of a private company’s moon lander, you’ll have to wait at least one more day. SpaceX is postponing Wednesday morning’s Feb. 13 launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines of Houston’s robotic lunar lander, Odysseus. SpaceX said a liquid methane temperature issue was the cause of the delay.
The launch is now scheduled for early Thursday morning, Feb. 15, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A Friday, Feb. 16 launch is also possible if another issue arises.
Should this mission be successful, unlike last month’s attempt by another private company, it will be the first American spacecraft to land on the moon’s surface since 1972.
Record spending on significant others expected this Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day 2024. While The Beatles famously sang, “money can’t buy me love,” that won’t stop many from spending on their loved ones today. According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend a record $14.2 billion this year on their significant others, or $101.84per person. Total spending is expected to reach $25.8 billion, with an average of $185 per person.
The top gift of choice? Candy, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out. Over half of Americans said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, while about a third of those who aren’t still said they want to mark the occasion by either getting together with single friends or treating themselves to something special.
Valentine’s Day is almost here, and those looking to catch a ride to a fancy restaurant using Uber or Lyft — or maybe a date in with DoorDash — may have their plans derailed by a strike. Thousands of drivers working for the ride share companies and food delivery services are walking off the job Wednesday, Feb. 14.
“Yes, Valentine’s Day,” one Uber driver on TikTok said. “And we are not showing any love for Uber that day.”
“We’re sick of working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet, being constantly scared for our safety, and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button,” the workers said, according to Justice for App Workers, which represents more than 130,000 ride share drivers from the East Coast to the Midwest.
The workers are holding rallies outside of airports and Uber offices in several major cities, including Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia, and said they are not giving rides from airports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in 10 cities.
“So, tomorrow is the big day,” another Uber driver on TikTok said. “We are striking on that day, we need to stay home guys, don’t go out and drive, it is not worth it. You will ruin everything if you’re out there driving guys.”
Ride share drivers are hoping to disrupt services during the Valentine’s Day holiday and bring attention to “low wages,” as they accuse the ride share companies of “taking disproportionately high amounts as commissions.”
Uber drivers’ monthly average gross earnings fell 17% last year, while Lyft increased 2.5%, according to Reuters. Last week, a spokesperson for Lyft said the company recently promised their drivers would be taking home 70% of rider fares after external fees.
Lyft drivers will join Uber drivers and those who work for food delivery service as workers picket for living wages, a safe working environment, health care benefits, reliable bathroom access and the right to form a union.
Uber said a planned protest last year had no effect on business and a spokesperson said only a minority of its drivers participate in strikes.
“Driver earnings remain strong, and as of Q4 2023, drivers in the U.S. were making about $33 per utilized hour,” Uber said in a statement.
The record settlement equates to less than 1% of both Uber and Lyft’s annual revenue. Last quarter, Uber reported $9.3 billion in revenue and Lyft reported $1.02 billion.
The settlement stems from a multi-year investigation by James’ office which accused the two companies of withholding pay from drivers and preventing drivers from receiving benefits, like sick leave, required under New York state labor laws.
From 2014 to 2017, James said, Uber deducted sales taxes and fees from drivers’ pay that should have been paid by riders. Similarly, from 2015 to 2017, Lyft allegedly took an 11.4% administrative fee from some New York drivers.
Uber and Lyft have denied wrongdoing.
Uber’s Chief Legal Officer Tony White said in a statement that the agreement, “helps put to rest the classification issue in New York and moves us forward with a model that reflects the way are increasingly choosing to work.”
Jeremy Bird, Lyft’s chief police officer, called the agreement a “win” for rideshare drivers.
“For years, Uber and Lyft systemically cheated their drivers out of hundreds of millions of dollars in pay and benefits while they worked long hours in challenging conditions,” James said in a statement following the settlement. “These drivers overwhelmingly come from immigrant communities and rely on these jobs to provide for their families.”
In addition to paying a combined $328 million in back pay to drivers, Uber and Lyft have agreed to pay a minimum rate per ride. Drivers operating outside of New York city will now earn $26 per hour.
According to James’ office, more than 100,000 rideshare drivers in New York could be eligible to receive settlement funds and benefits. James added that drivers who are eligible will be notified via mail, email or text about how to file a claim.
Biden increases gun background checks, China reopens: March 14 rundown
President Joe Biden is poised to sign an executive order designed to increase the number of gun background checks; the legal stay of tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. is set to expire this spring; China is reopening its borders this week; and Uber and Lyft scored a victory in court. These stories and more highlight your daily rundown for Tuesday, March 14, 2023.
Biden to increase background checks
President Biden will be in Monterey Park, California, Tuesday where 11 people were killed back in January at a Lunar New Year celebration. According to administration officials, the president will sign an executive order to push for more background checks for firearm sales. The officials claim the order will reduce the odds of guns ending up in the hands of criminals.
Biden is also expected to reiterate his call for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The order also encourages the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how gun manufacturers are marketing firearms.
Legal stay of Ukraine migrants to expire
Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have taken refuge in the U.S. since the war began last year. Now, a new policy announced this week will allow the government to consider extending their stay for at least another year.
Some 20,000 refugees who crossed through the southern border between February and April of last year were granted one year of parole. That means that their temporary permission to stay in the U.S. is set to expire this spring.
The more than 118,000 Ukrainians who came into the country after April were able to apply for a two-year parole under a humanitarian immigration authority. Now, for the tens of thousands of Ukrainians working in the U.S. with upcoming parole expirations, the government will be reviewing their cases within the next four weeks to extend their stay by another year.
Arrest warrants for Russian officials
The International Criminal Court is preparing its first arrest warrants linked to war crimes cases for Russian officials. According to Reuters, ICC prosecutors are pursuing two war crime cases for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children and for attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
The targets of the arrest warrants were not specified. Reuters identified them only as Russian officials. If the war crime cases are opened, they would be the first to come from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Uber, Lyft drivers ruled as contractors
Uber, Lyft, and other app-based companies like DoorDash scored a legal victory Monday in a California court ruling that preserves their independent contractor model for workers. This could set precedent for working-drivers in other states too. If the companies had to classify their workers as employees over contractors, the employees would be entitled to certain benefits such as paid sick leave and insurance.
Companies involved argued that those benefits would drive up expenses, and customer costs. But pro-union groups argue the move would actually benefit large corporations over working people.
Proposition 22 was passed by California voters in November 2020 allowing these app-based companies to treat their labor force as independent contractors. It was ruled unconstitutional by a state court in 2021, but the state Court of Appeals ruled with the businesses, who said in a joint statement, that it is a win for app-based employees because they will be able to keep flexible working schedules under the status of a contractor.
China to reopen borders, issue visas
China is reopening its borders to foreign tourists this week for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel. China’s embassy in the United States said they would resume issuing all categories of visas starting Wednesday. Valid visas that were issued before China closed to the world in March 2020 will be valid once again.
It’s the last cross-border COVID-restriction to be lifted in China after the country claimed victory over the virus last month. Its tourism sector was hit hard by the shutdown. Tens of millions of international visitors came to china each year pre-COVID.
Musk: Starship launch could blow up
SpaceX is preparing for the first orbital launch of Starship. Starship is the type of rocket that is monumental to Elon Musk for future Mars exploration and perhaps colonization.
And while the company is excited to send the rocket off, Musk is already giving the starship a 50% chance of success. Musk says the rocket could blow up on first attempt, which Starship’s sub-orbital test flights have a history of doing.
Musk says no matter the outcome, he is guaranteeing excitement, saying the launch won’t be boring.
Other Starships are already lined up in the queue, with one of them likely to reach orbit this year according to the SpaceX founder.
Midday rundown: Iran targets US journalist, COVID booster linked to stroke
A murder-for-hire plot by Iranians targets a U.S. journalist; the FDA is easing blood donor restrictions on gay men; and New York Uber and Lyft drivers will have to drive an electric vehicle by 2030. These stories and more highlight the daily afternoon rundown for Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.
Iranians arrested in journalist murder plot
Three Iranians have been arrested and charged in an assassination attempt against a U.S. journalist who resides in New York. The female target is an exiled journalist from Iran and an outspoken critic of the Iranian regime. She often writes about the government’s human rights abuses.
This is the second time the U.S. government has saved her life. In 2021, the FBI arrested four Iranians involved in a kidnapping plot.
New FDA blood donor guidance
The FDA has unveiled new guidance Friday to relax blood donor restrictions for gay and bisexual men.
The restrictions the agency is looking to ease were first put in place in the 1980s during the HIV/AIDS crisis. The new guidance involves an individual risk assessment said to be more “gender-inclusive.”
The agency says there is a nationwide blood shortage and that’s the main factor behind the changes.
New York City will require Lyft, Uber to use EVs by 2030
People who drive for Uber and Lyft will have to have an electric vehicle by the year 2030 if they want to work in New York City. New York City announced a new policy that will require Uber and Lyft to have a “zero-emission” fleet in just seven years.
Since the announcement was made, Uber and Lyft have both already applauded the city’s efforts, saying reducing emissions is an important goal they all share.
COVID-19 booster shot linked to stroke
The FDA continues to investigate a potential increased stroke risk in older adults who received a Pfizer booster shot. While the data isn’t overwhelming, officials still call it “statistically significant,” meaning “likely not by chance.”
Most of the confirmed cases had also received a flu vaccine at the same time, which officials say might be a factor. They also emphasized much more analysis of the data is needed.
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Mental health tops parental concerns
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of children as schools closed and families isolated from the public. Now, parents are concerned about how that may have taken a toll on their child’s mental health.
According to a Pew Research study, the mental health of their children tops the list of parental concerns.
Four out of every 10 parents who participated in the study say they are “extremely” or “very worried” that their children might struggle with anxiety or depression. Three out of every four parents say they are at least somewhat concerned over their child’s mental well-being.
Since the pandemic, there have been reports of a growing youth mental health crisis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.
The second highest concern for parents surveyed was bullying.
Robot dog runs 10 feet per second
The next time you hit the beach, you could come face-to-face with a robotic, headless dog. Meet Raibo, the robot dog capable of running through the sand at nearly 10 feet per second.
The AI canine is a quadrupedal robot that makes real-time decisions to adapt to various types of ground surfaces without prior information.
The robot dog might be more obedient than some real pets. He can cozy up on his dog bed, and do it on command.