News

Tesla’s autopilot in the safety spotlight again

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2023

Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc is gearing up to defend itself against allegations that its Autopilot driver-assistant feature has been linked to fatal accidents, marking a significant legal challenge for the electric vehicle manufacturer.

Tesla is currently facing two trials, with the potential for more on the horizon. The first trial, a civil lawsuit, is scheduled for mid-September in a California state court. This lawsuit claims that Tesla’s Autopilot system led to an accident in which Micah Lee’s Model 3 veered off a highway east of Los Angeles, resulting in his death.

The lawsuit alleges that Tesla knowingly sold a car with defective safety systems. In the 2019 incident, the car was traveling at 65 miles per hour and crashed into a palm tree, resulting in Lee’s death and serious injuries to two other passengers, including an 8-year-old boy.

Second trial

The second trial is scheduled for October in a Florida state court. This case, also from 2019, alleges that Stephen Banner’s Model 3 drove under an 18-wheeler big rig truck, causing the Tesla’s roof to be sheared off and resulting in Banner’s death. According to the lawsuit filed by Banner’s wife, the Autopilot system failed to brake, steer, or take any action to avoid the collision.

Tesla has consistently denied liability in both accidents and has attributed them to driver error. The company has emphasized that there are no fully self-driving cars on the road currently and asserts that the Autopilot feature is safe when monitored by humans. In the Micah Lee case, Tesla also claimed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

According to Reuters, these civil proceedings could reveal new evidence about what Elon Musk and Tesla knew regarding the capabilities and limitations of the Autopilot feature.

A victory

In a previous trial in April, Tesla secured a victory, asserting that it had informed drivers that despite the names “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving,” the technology requires constant human monitoring.

Legal experts suggest that these upcoming cases hold significant stakes for Tesla. Matthew Wansley, former General Counsel at nuTonomy and currently an Associate Professor of Law at the Cardozo School of Law, believes that if Tesla prevails in these cases, it may lead to more favorable settlements in other cases. Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor at the University of South Carolina, points out that a substantial loss for Tesla, particularly one involving significant damages, could significantly impact the company’s narrative in future legal battles.

News

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

20 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AustralianPolitics #Coalition #Nationals #Labor #Senate #PoliticalDrama #TickerNews #BreakingPolitics

News

Trump escalates Greenland rhetoric as Davos leaders push back on sovereignty

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

Published

20 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

President Trump has intensified his remarks over Greenland, claiming the U.S. is the only nation capable of ensuring peace in the Arctic, sparking sharp pushback from European leaders. His rhetoric, including hints at potential tariffs, comes as international attention turns to the strategic territory.

The debate has dominated discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump confirmed plans to meet regarding Greenland following a positive conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Meanwhile, Greenland’s leadership has warned that the territory must be ready for potential military scenarios.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in from Davos, drawing a firm line on sovereignty, declaring Greenland’s independence non-negotiable. The unfolding standoff highlights rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, with global powers increasingly staking their claims.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@UCiMroZIXuwlSh1r5wZdeU6Q
#Trump #Greenland #Geopolitics #Davos #WorldEconomicForum #NATO #GlobalPolitics #TickerNews

News

OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#OpenAI #SmartSpeaker #AIHardware #TechNews #Innovation #Manufacturing #AIRevenue #FutureTech