Stellantis, the automotive giant behind brands like Jeep and Dodge, announced a significant $26 billion write-down as it rethinks its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, reflecting a broader industry shift away from the rapid adoption of EVs. The company's reset comes as the initial enthusiasm for electrification wanes, according to a report from Ars Technica.
The write-down, equivalent to 22.2 billion euros, highlights the financial repercussions of adjusting to a changing market. Not long ago, the industry was more optimistic about electrification, with ambitious plans for EV adoption and a commitment to charging infrastructure, including the announcement of ten new battery factories. However, the reality has proven different, forcing companies like Stellantis to reassess their approach.
Meanwhile, in the realm of autonomous vehicles, Waymo, an Alphabet-owned company, is utilizing Google's Genie world-building AI model to simulate challenging scenarios for its self-driving cars. According to The Verge, these simulations include edge cases like encountering a tornado or an elephant on the road. This approach aims to prepare autonomous vehicles for unexpected situations.
In other news, a new critique published in the journal Trends in Plant Science debunks claims that trees can sense a solar eclipse. Last year, a team of scientists presented evidence that spruce trees in Italy's Dolomite mountains synchronized their bioelectrical activity in anticipation of a partial solar eclipse, which generated media interest and even inspired a documentary. However, other researchers questioned the initial findings, leading to the new critique.
The Verge also reported on the intersection of technology and influence, noting the presence of prominent tech figures in the Epstein files. Names like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sergey Brin, and Jeff Bezos are among those who had varying degrees of interaction with Jeffrey Epstein.
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