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

Welcome, of us, to Week in Evaluation (WiR), TechCrunch’s weekly information recap. The climate’s getting hotter — however not fairly 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 firm 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 — additionally known as Atlas — has a kinder, gentler design than each the unique Atlas and extra up to date 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 gadget reviewer, shouldn’t be blamed for the destiny of AI startup Humane AI, whose product, the Ai Pin, Brownlee gave a scathing assessment of earlier this week. They level out that Humane is a well-funded firm with loads of funds within the financial institution to burn, and discover that critics of Brownlee — who accuse him of being unfairly harsh — have misplaced their rage.

And Rebecca and Sean report on layoffs at Tesla, which they are saying hit excessive performers and gutted some departments. The cuts have been largely as a result of poor monetary efficiency; Tesla’s seen its revenue margin slender over the previous a number of quarters because the EV value battle persists.

Heaps else occurred. We recap all of it on this version of WiR — however first, a reminder to join to obtain the WiR e-newsletter in your inbox each Saturday.

Information

X prices for posting: X CEO Elon Musk is planning to cost new X customers a small charge to allow posting on the social community in an effort to curb what he describes as a “bot drawback.”

Change ransomware: An extortion group has printed a portion of what it claims are the non-public and delicate affected person information on tens of millions of Individuals stolen through the ransomware assault on Change 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 value of its superior driver help package deal, Full Self-Driving, to $99 monthly within the U.S.

Mars free-for-all: Devin experiences that house startups are licking their lips over NASA’s resolution to transform its $11 billion, 15-year mission to gather and return samples from Mars into basically a business free-for-all.

Waymo issues: Six Waymo robotaxis blocked site visitors transferring onto an on-ramp in San Francisco on Tuesday. It’s not the primary time Waymo automobiles have prompted a street blockage, notes Rebecca — however that is the primary documented incident involving a freeway.

Evaluation

Google Cloud bets on generative AI: Ron writes about how Google Cloud is investing closely in generative AI, as evidenced by the string of bulletins throughout Google’s Cloud Subsequent convention earlier within the month.

Generative AI in well being: Generative AI is coming for healthcare — however not everybody’s thrilled. Some specialists don’t assume the tech is prepared for prime time.

Airchat, for speaking: Anthony breaks down the hype over Airchat, an app launched by former AngelList founder Naval Ravikant and ex-Tinder product exec Brian Norgard that focuses on voice, not textual content.