AI and tech developments dominated the news this week, with funding rounds, organizational changes, and new product announcements making headlines. From AI-powered car marketplaces to laundry-folding robots, several companies are making strides in their respective fields.
Ever, an AI-native, full-stack auto retail business for electric vehicles, secured a $31 million Series A funding round led by Eclipse, according to TechCrunch. The company, which aims to be the go-to platform for buying and selling used EVs, has already garnered thousands of customers. The funding round also included investments from Ibex Investors, Lifeline Ventures, and JIMCO, the investment arm of the Saudi Arabian Jameel family.
Meanwhile, xAI, Elon Musk's AI lab, revealed details about its future plans in a publicly released all-hands meeting video. The video, which was published on X, provided insights into the company's product roadmap and its ongoing ties to the X platform, as reported by TechCrunch. The meeting also addressed recent employee departures, which Musk described as layoffs resulting from a changing organizational structure.
Another AI startup, Modal Labs, is reportedly in talks to raise a new funding round at a $2.5 billion valuation, according to four sources with knowledge of the deal, as reported by TechCrunch. If the deal closes at these terms, it would more than double the company's valuation from its previous $1.1 billion valuation announced less than five months prior. General Catalyst is reportedly in talks to lead the round. However, Modal Labs co-founder and CEO Erik Bernhardsson denied that the company was actively fundraising, characterizing recent VC interactions as general conversations.
OpenAI also made headlines with the disbanding of its mission alignment team, as reported by TechCrunch. The team, formed in September 2024, was dedicated to communicating the company's mission to the public and its employees. The team's former leader has been given a new role as the company's chief futurist. An OpenAI spokesperson described the team's purpose as a "support function to help employees and the public understand our mission and the impact of AI."
Finally, Weave Robotics launched Isaac 0, a $7,999 laundry-folding robot, as reported by The Verge. The stationary robot, designed to fold laundry, is currently available in the Bay Area. However, the robot cannot fold large items like blankets or sheets and still requires assistance from human teleoperators.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment