Technology

PayPal pauses service in Russia, citing ‘violent military aggression’

Published

3 years ago

March 7, 2022

PayPal pauses service in Russia, citing ‘violent military aggression’

PayPal is suspending its companies in Russia in response to the nation’s “violent navy aggression in Ukraine,” in line with a report from Reuters. Ukraine’s vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted out a letter from PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, confirming the corporate’s choice to close down its operations in Russia.

We obtained a letter from @Dan_Schulman, CEO PayPal. So now it’s official: PayPal shuts down its companies in Russia citing Ukraine aggression. Thanks @PayPal in your supporting! Hope that quickly you’ll open it in for pic.twitter.com/RaJxEMSLQe
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 5, 2022

“Below the present circumstances, we’re suspending PayPal companies in Russia,” Shulman says within the letter. “We’re additionally doing all that we are able to to assist our workers within the area throughout this deeply troublesome time.”

As Reuters notes, PayPal had been accessible in Russia for cross-border funds solely. It stopped accepting new Russian customers earlier this week however has now made the sweeping choice to halt its companies altogether — a measure that additionally consists of the PayPal-owned cash switch service, Xoom. PayPal spokesperson Aidan Kelly advised The Verge that PayPal will nonetheless “proceed work to course of buyer withdraws for a time period, guaranteeing that account balances are dispersed in step with relevant legal guidelines and laws.”

With the monetary sanctions put in place by the US, UK, European Union, and lots of others, some Russian customers might not have been ready to make use of their financial institution playing cards to make funds by PayPal regardless. The sanctions have already minimize off some customers from Apple Pay and Google Pay, as they aim Russia’s largest monetary establishments, barring financial institution clients from making card funds to companies and companies registered in nations that imposed sanctions.

Replace March fifth 1:36PM ET: Up to date so as to add a press release from a PayPal spokesperson.

Technology

Waymo is adding the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to its robotaxi fleet

Published

3 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Press Room

Waymo is adding the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to its robotaxi fleet

Waymo has its sights set on its next robotaxi: the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Alphabet company announced that it was entering a “multi-year, strategic” partnership with the Hyundai Motor Group that will result in the Ioniq 5 eventually joining its robotaxi fleet.

But first, the Ioniq 5 will need to undergo on-road testing with Waymo’s self-driving technology, which the company says will begin in late 2025. Waymo wouldn’t specify when the Ioniq 5 will be used for passenger trips, except to say it would be “years” later.

Vehicles intended for Waymo’s fleet will be manufactured at Hyundai’s $7.6 billion Metaplant factory in Georgia, which is nearing the end of its construction. The companies have agreed to produce a number of Waymo-equipped electric Hyundais there “in significant volume over multiple years,” Waymo said in its press release.

Waymo wouldn’t specify when the Ioniq 5 will be used for passenger trips

With robotaxis, one of the most important metrics is uptime, or the amount of time it’s on the road ferrying passengers. Time spent plugged into a charger is time not making money. The Ioniq 5 is an electric crossover SUV with a little over 300 miles of range and an 800-volt architecture that enhances its charging speed. When plugged into a 350kW fast charger, Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10–80 percent in just 18 minutes, depending on the conditions. Waymo certainly saw those charging speeds as a benefit to its still unprofitable business.

The Ioniq 5 has received favorable reviews since it was released in late 2021, in addition to raking in numerous awards. Today, it’s one of the bestselling EVs on the market, with 30,000 sold in the US this year alone. Its popularity has helped Hyundai, along with its sister company Kia, overtake Ford and GM as the No. 2 seller of EVs in the US behind Tesla.

Currently, Waymo operates a fleet of hundreds of Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, which has been its primary robotaxi vehicle since the company’s first one, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, was retired in 2013. The company has plans to add a new vehicle made by Geely’s Zeekr — though the Biden administration’s recent move to quadruple tariffs for electric vehicles imported from China could complicate that.

Recent reporting from South Korea previewed today’s partnership news, with sources telling Electronic Times that the two companies met numerous times at Waymo’s headquarters in California to discuss “contract manufacturing of robotaxis.” Sources also told the publication that Waymo was looking for a “replacement” for its Zeekr vehicles because of costly new tariffs.

But Waymo pushed back against this report and reiterated its intention to eventually deploy Zeekr. “The IONIQ 5 will not directly replace any of our vehicle platforms, but it will help us prepare for additional scale and growth opportunities,” Waymo spokesperson Christopher Bonelli said in an email. Waymo is “hard at work” validating the sixth version of its self-driving technology in the Zeekr vehicle, he added.

Tellingly, Waymo isn’t saying how many Ioniq 5s it plans to buy from Hyundai, in contrast to its approach to previous vehicle announcements. Some of this could be attributable to the fact that Waymo has grown more cautious about overly optimistic predictions after critics panned the AV industry for setting unrealistic deadlines.

This won’t be the Ioniq 5’s first self-driving rodeo. The vehicle also serves as a platform for Motional, which is Hyundai’s robotaxi subsidiary, as well as Avride, which used to be Yandex’s self-driving group.

But Waymo’s business is significantly, well, busier than those firms. The company recently celebrated a significant milestone: 100,000 paid trips a week.

Technology

The creepy yet helpful humanoid robot ready to move into your home

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Press Room

The creepy yet helpful humanoid robot ready to move into your home

Are you ready to have a humanoid robot in your home that could help with everyday tasks and make life just a little bit easier?

Well, get ready to meet NEO Beta. This innovative humanoid robot from 1X Technologies, an OpenAI-backed Norwegian firm, is designed specifically for home environments, and it’s about to change the way we interact with technology in our daily lives. With its friendly demeanor and advanced capabilities,

NEO Beta is set to become your new go-to helper around the house. Let’s dive in and see what makes this robot so special.

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NEO Beta humanoid robot (1X Technologies)

Meet NEO Beta: Your new home companion

NEO Beta stands at 5.41 feet tall and weighs a mere 66 pounds, making it an unobtrusive presence in your home. This bipedal robot can walk at a comfortable 2.5 mph and even run at an impressive 7.5 mph when needed. With a carrying capacity of 44 pounds and a run time of two to four hours, NEO Beta is well-equipped to handle various household tasks.

NEO Beta humanoid robot (1X Technologies)

NEXT-GEN HUMANOID ROBOT IS KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR

Advanced features for seamless integration

NEO Beta boasts advanced sensors and artificial intelligence that allow it to respond to human emotions, voice commands and gestures. This natural communication style sets it apart from traditional robots, making it feel more like a helpful companion than a machine.

One of NEO Beta’s standout features is its ability to integrate with existing home automation systems. It can control smart devices, manage lighting, heating and security systems, streamlining your home management experience.

Using machine learning, NEO Beta adapts to your preferences and routines over time. This means it can provide personalized assistance, offer reminders and support you in ways tailored to your lifestyle.

NEO Beta humanoid robot interacting with a woman (1X Technologies)

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Safety and security at the forefront

1X Technologies says it has prioritized safety in NEO Beta’s design. The robot includes collision avoidance systems and real-time monitoring to ensure safe operation in your home. Additionally, it can provide surveillance and alerts, enhancing your home’s security.

NEO Beta humanoid robot interacting with a woman (1X Technologies)

CARMEN, THE ROBOT COMPANION, CAN HELP BOOST YOUR MEMORY AND COGNITION

The Evolution from EVE to NEO Beta

NEO Beta builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, EVE. While EVE was primarily designed for industrial applications, NEO Beta is specifically tailored for household use. The shift from a wheeled base to a bipedal design allows NEO Beta greater flexibility in navigating home environments.

NEO Beta humanoid robot opening a door (1X Technologies)

What sets NEO Beta apart?

Unlike many robotics companies that focus on showcasing human-robot interactions for testing or collaborative work scenarios, 1X is positioning NEO Beta as a close, casual companion for the home. This approach suggests a vision of robots as integral parts of our daily lives, rather than mere tools or assistants.

NEO Beta humanoid robot picking up a ball (1X Technologies)

The road ahead

1X Technologies has ambitious plans for NEO Beta. The company aims to deploy some units into homes for research and development purposes in the near future. Looking ahead, 1X envisions producing thousands of units by 2025, potentially scaling up to millions by 2028.

NEO Beta humanoid robot (1X Technologies)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

While NEO Beta promises to revolutionize home automation and personal assistance, questions about privacy, ethics and the societal impact of widespread robot adoption remain. As this technology continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how it shapes our homes, our relationships with technology and, ultimately, our daily lives.

Are you ready to welcome these new humanoid robot companions like NEO Beta into your home? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

The new Ford Expedition adds Android Automotive and half of the Lincoln’s panoramic screen

Published

11 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Press Room

The new Ford Expedition adds Android Automotive and half of the Lincoln’s panoramic screen

The new Expedition, which is first being teased with a drone light show today in Texas, looks like it has only the left half of the Lincoln’s 48-inch pillar-to-pillar panoramic display, leaving behind just a 24-inch panel for the Expedition.

You’re getting the same instrument cluster and navigation combo in front of the driver’s seat, but without the widgets that feature on the right half of the Lincoln’s extended screen. The Expedition’s smaller center touchscreen that lives below it also runs Google Play Store apps, operates Apple CarPlay, and has digital HVAC controls, just like the Lincoln. The car also offers both Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistants (one at a time), and some models offer BlueCruise hands-free driving.

Left: 2025 Expedition; right: 2025 Navigator.

Image: Ford

Pillar-to-pillar panoramic screens have become a flashy feature manufacturers have trotted out for their most luxurious vehicles recently. They’ve often been pitched as an infotainment hub for the front passenger, letting them watch streaming videos and even play some PlayStation.

Ford is selling a standard-wheelbase Expedition and an extended “Max” one. In the center row, you have options for bench seating or captain chairs; the backs of the first-row headrests have clamps that can hold smartphones or tablets for passengers in the center row. The Expedition can seat up to eight people with the bench option.

At first glance, the Expedition seems like a copy of the new Lincoln Navigator with its split rear gate, the addition of a light bar up front, and a similar 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood. (It’s an “EcoBoost” for the Ford.) A new Tremor trim for the Expedition puts out up to 440 horsepower and has tuned suspension and unique trail modes for more off-road capabilities. Like the Navigator, Ford doesn’t offer a hybrid powertrain option in the Expedition, either.