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Elon Musk’s Tesla Recalls Two Million Cars Over Autopilot Defect

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1 year ago

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Tesla recalls over two million vehicles after a US regulator discovered that its driver assistance technology, Autopilot, was partially flawed.

It comes after a two-year examination into crashes while the technology was used.

The recall affects nearly every Tesla sold in the United States since the Autopilot feature was introduced in 2015.

Elon Musk’s Tesla said it would send a software update “over the air” to solve the problem.

The update occurs automatically and does not require a visit to a dealership or garage, but the US regulator still refers to it as a recall.

The BBC has contacted the UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to inquire about the impact on Tesla drivers in the UK.

Although Autopilot is designed to assist with steering, acceleration, and braking, the automobile still requires human input.

Elon Musk’s Tesla Recalls Two Million Cars In US Over Autopilot Defect

Tesla’s software is designed to ensure drivers pay attention and that the feature is only used in appropriate circumstances, like highway driving.

However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States found that “the prominence and scope of the feature’s controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse” after a two-year review of 956 Tesla crashes.

“Automated technology holds great promise for improving safety, but only when responsibly deployed,” the NHTSA noted, adding that it would continue to monitor the software after it was upgraded.

A request for comment from Tesla still needs to be returned.

According to the recall notice, the business did not agree with the agency’s conclusion but promised to install new features to address the issues, including additional checks before turning on the self-driving functions.

The recall comes just a week after a former Tesla employee told the BBC that the technology was dangerous.

After receiving the Blueprint Prize for whistleblowers, Lukasz Krupski told the BBC, “I don’t think the hardware and software are ready.”

“It affects all of us because we are essentially experiments in public roads”, he said.

Mr Krupski told the BBC that the recall was “a step in the right direction,” but that the problem was not limited to the United States.

“The hardware is the same in all the Teslas in the US, China etc.”, he went on to say

Metrics of security
In reaction to a Washington Post report, Tesla defended the safety of Autopilot in a post on X (previously Twitter) on Tuesday.

“Safety metrics are emphatically stronger when Autopilot is engaged than when not engaged,” the company noted, citing figures indicating fewer crashes when the technology was activated.

Jack Stilgoe, an associate professor of robotics at University College London, believes Tesla should have spent more time building the system in the first place.

Elon Musk’s Tesla Recalls Two Million Cars In US Over Autopilot Defect

“The conventional way of ensuring safety is to check that a car is safe when it leaves the factory”, he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Even though this is Tesla’s second recall this year, Susannah Streeter of investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown believes it will not have a significant impact on the company’s momentum:

“On its own, a recall of 2 million cars is unlikely to dampen enthusiasm.” The stock price has fallen marginally, but it does not appear to be in danger of falling further.

“After all, recalls in the car industry are far from unusual and the group also has the financial ability to invest in fixes”, she said.

Tesla has actively pushed the technology in its vehicles and claims that staying on the bleeding edge of self-driving technology is critical to its future success.

Goldman Sachs analysts projected this month that Tesla’s most advanced Autopilot service, complete self-driving, could generate more than $50 billion in revenue per year by 2030, up from $1 billion to $3 billion.

The self-driving package costs $12,000 in the United States, plus a $199 monthly subscription fee.

“Autonomy is really where it’s at,” Mr Musk said this summer to investors.

Additional warnings
The recall is focused on Autosteer, a feature of Autopilot.

In conjunction with “traffic-aware cruise control,” which adapts the automobile’s speed to that of the surrounding traffic, autosteer assists in keeping a car in the correct lane.

The driver is supposed to keep their hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take over from the assistive system if necessary.

When Autosteer is activated, the car’s systems assess whether the driver is paying attention. There are warning warnings if it senses the driver is not present. There are also warnings if the driver tries to utilize Autosteer in an improper situation.

The NHTSA recall report states that the “over-the-air update” will contain extra notifications and monitoring “to encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged.”

SOURCE – BBC

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Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists

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9 hours ago

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2024-12-21

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Sonic the Hedgehog Merchandise are hot Christmas Items

Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.

Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.

Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.

Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.

Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.

Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.

Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4

Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.

The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.

The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.

The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.

They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout

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1 day ago

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2024-12-20

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Teamsters members were demonstrating at "hundreds" of other Amazon locations.

An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.

The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.

According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.

The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.

It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.

Amazon Strike at 10 Locations

Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.

The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.

The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.

Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.

Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.

Stalled Contract Negotiations

Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.

However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.

Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.

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Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.

Published

2 days ago

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2024-12-19

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(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.

The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.

The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.

Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.

The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.

Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.

Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.

“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.

“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.

The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.

The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.

Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.

Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.

Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.

In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.

The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.

In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.

“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”

The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.

SOURCE: NPR

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