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Whatever You Do, Don't Become Obsessed With This Conspiracy Thriller on Netflix

Sometimes, the best TV shows come from unexpected places. Obviously, there were the big ones like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. When Vince Gilligan's drug drama ended in 2013, with HBO's landmark fantasy hit in full swing, I wondered what series would be next to capture our collective attention. It took me a few years to find my next TV obsession, which aired on an unassuming basic cable channel. The show I'm referring to was about the internet, of all things. It was created by a guy with

Uber Is Going All-in on Robotaxis

By the end of this decade, your next Uber ride might not have a driver at all. At least, that’s what Uber wants you (and its investors on Wall Street to believe.) Uber announced a new partnership today with luxury electric vehicle maker Lucid and the robotics company Nuro. Under the agreement, Uber plans to deploy a fleet of at least 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro’s self-driving technology over the next six years. The robotaxi service is expected to launch in a yet unnamed major U

Uber's latest robotaxi plan involves 20,000 Lucid EVs

Uber is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Nuro and Lucid, the latest step in the company’s plan to build an extensive robotaxi program that can roll out globally. Uber’s partnership with EV manufacturer Lucid will see it deploy at least 20,000 of the Newark-based company’s vehicles over a period of six years. These will be equipped with the AI-powered Nuro Driver autonomous technology. The vehicles will be owned and operated by Uber or one of its third-party partners, and the service

I put this buzzworthy 2-in-1 robot vacuum to work in my house - here's how it fared

ZDNET's key takeaways The Yeedi S14 Plus is available for a retail price of $1,400, though an introductory offer puts it at $999 for a limited time. The Yeedi is a big upgrade from almost any robot vacuum on the market right now, with 18,000Pa of suction and a self-cleaning mop roller. The S14 Plus doesn't have a detergent dispenser, its obstacle avoidance could be better, and it has an odd plastic smell (though that could be my unit). $1,399.99 at Amazon I've been testing what is decidedly t

Topics: mop plus robot s14 yeedi

I tested the Ferrari of robot mowers for a month - here's my verdict

ZDNET's key takeaways The Mammotion Luba 2 3000H is available for $2,599. Built to handle uneven terrain, the Luba 2 is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) reliable robot mower with a GPS-powered perimeter that is surprisingly easy to set up. The Mammotion app is not very user-friendly and can get buggy after a firmware update. View now at Us.mammotion Mowing the lawn is one of my favorite chores. It lets me focus on an uninterrupted task that satisfies my OCD, with the bonus of completing my exercise r

Uber inks six-year robotaxi deal with Lucid, invests $300 million in EV company

Uber on Thursday announced a partnership to deploy more than 20,000 robotaxis over the next six years as demand for driverless cars kicks into high gear. As part of the partnership, the ride-hailing company is teaming up with Lucid , the electric vehicle maker, and Nuro, an autonomous vehicle startup. Under the agreement, Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid. Nuro will develop the self-driving technology that Lucid will use to supply Uber with robotaxis over the course of the deal and receive

Ex-Waymo engineers launch Bedrock Robotics to automate construction

Bedrock Robotics, an autonomous vehicle technology startup founded by veterans of Waymo and Segment, has been operating quietly for more than a year. Now, it’s breaking cover with an $80 million funding round from investors Eclipse and 8VC. Bedrock Robotics is focused on developing a self-driving kit that can be retrofitted to construction and other worksite vehicles, according to the company. The announcement confirms some of TechCrunch’s reporting in May. Bedrock is “upgrading existing fleets

This Robot Vacuum Blew Me Away With Its Ingenious Navigation Capability, and Now It's 20% Off

Deal alert: The Dreame X50 robot vacuum is available for $1,360. That's a 20% discount on a robot vacuum that usually lists for $1,700. If you're looking for top-tier performance, this robot vac is better at climbing obstacles than any robot vacuum we've tested. CNET's key takeaways No robot vacuum has truly solved the challenge of multi-level cleaning without requiring you to physically move it between floors. This robo-vac can do it, for the high-end price of $1,700 (on sale right now for $

Leading AI Models Are Completely Flunking the Three Laws of Robotics

In his genre-defining 1950 collection of science fiction short stories "I, Robot," author Isaac Asimov laid out the Three Laws of Robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. Ever since, the elegant

Ex-Waymo engineers launch Bedrock Robotics with $80M to automate construction

Bedrock Robotics, an autonomous vehicle technology startup founded by veterans of Waymo and Segment, has been operating quietly for more than a year. Now, it’s breaking cover with an $80 million funding round from investors Eclipse and 8VC. Bedrock Robotics is focused on developing a self-driving kit that can be retrofitted to construction and other worksite vehicles, according to the company. The announcement confirms some of TechCrunch’s reporting in May. Bedrock is “upgrading existing fleets

This robot vacuum broke the industry mold. Here's my verdict after months of testing

ZDNET's key takeaways The Matic is available for purchase at $1,095. This robot vacuum has a unique form factor and roller brush, and a debris bag that eliminates the need for a huge dock. The Matic has its drawbacks, mainly that it's too tall to clean under furniture and that it's currently only available for iOS, with an Android beta app planned for July. View now at Maticrobots Pioneer devices have the unique challenge of reinventing the wheel. They reimagine something that has become prev

Last Chance Deal: This Robot Vacuum Blew Me Away With Its Ingenious Navigation Ability, and It's at an All-Time Low Price

Deal alert: The Dreame X50 robot vacuum previously is down to just $1,360 That's a 20% discount on a robot vacuum that usually lists for $1,700. If you're looking for top-tier performance, this robovac is more capable of climbing obstacles than any robot vacuum we've tested. CNET's key takeaways No robot vacuum has truly solved the challenge of multi-level cleaning without requiring you to physically move it between floors. This robo-vac can do it, for the high-end price of $1,700 (on sale ri

The latest robot vacuum innovation I've tested keeps my floors sparkling (and it comes with a spot cleaner)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Eufy E28 robot vacuum, mop, and spot cleaner combination is available for $999. The mop performs better than more expensive flagships, and the water tank system doubles as a portable spot cleaner with a self-cleaning hose. Unplugging the spot cleaner also unplugs the charging station, and the spot cleaner requires you to brush it to scrub. $999.99 at Amazon $999.99 at Walmart more buying choices Amazon is selling the Eufy Omni E28 for $800 (save $200). Robot vacuum

I tested the viral Roborock vacuum with a mechanical arm for a month - here's my verdict

ZDNET's key takeaways The Roborock Saros Z70 is now available for purchase for $2,599. The Saros Z70 is the first robot vacuum with a mechanical arm to lift lightweight objects and clean those missed areas This robot vacuum performs impressively well, but you can expect some bugs with the OmniGrip mechanical arm function. View now at Roborock View now at Amazon more buying choices I've spent the past few years of my life turning my home into the closest version of the Jetsons' house that I ca

Bank Warns That Robotaxi Companies May Have Overlooked Severe Obstacles to Actually Making Money

Bank Warns That Robotaxi Companies May Have Overlooked Severe Obstacles to Actually Making Money They're not convinced. Cost Benefit As Elon Musk's Tesla triples down on an autonomous ridehailing service, analysts are ringing the alarm bells, warning that even if the technology were swiftly perfected, it could take many years for robotaxis to become profitable. As Business Insider reports, analysts at HSBC warn that the market for driverless taxis — if there even is one — is being "widely ov

Does a window-cleaning robot actually work? I tested one to find out (and I'm pleasantly surprised)

ZDNET's key takeaways The Winbot W2 Omni is typically available for $700. The robot works indoors or outdoors and cleans seamlessly, picking up dirt without smearing it around or smudging your glass It also navigates the span of the glass, cleaning the full window without missing spots. I wish the device worked while plugged in and cleaned the edges of windows more effectively. View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy View now at Ecovacs more buying choices I've just finished testing a device

This entry-level robot vacuum left some of my expensive ones in the dust

ZDNET's key takeaways At $199, the Tapo RV20 Max is an affordable option that works surprisingly well. The RV20 Max robot vacuum features strong 5,300Pa suction, great navigation skills that don't use the bump-and-run system, and plenty of customization options for the price. On the downside, the Tapo RV20 Max doesn't have great obstacle avoidance, often getting its brush tangled with cables and small items. View now at Amazon While I love a hands-free robot vacuum and mop that can do it all

This midrange robot vacuum cleans as well as some premium models I've tested

ZDNET's key takeaways The new Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni retails for $700 This midrange robot vacuum and mop features auto-emptying, mop washing and drying, and strong suction, which we were able to confirm during testing The downside is that the Deebot N30 Omni doesn't boast the best obstacle avoidance capabilities, which significantly hinders how often you have to rescue it after it gets stuck on a small object. $669.99 at Amazon $379.98 at Walmart more buying choices I've tested robot vacuums

I made the switch to a smart litter box, and my cat love its

Whisker Litter-Robot 4 4.5 / 5 Very good ZDNET's key takeaways The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 retails for $700 and comes in black or white This self-cleaning litter box lets you keep tabs on your cat's health through the helpful app However, it is an expensive buy, and the app frequently experiences glitches. View now at Amazon You're either a cat person or a dog person, and this writer is a cat person. My cat, Norbert, is a loud, orange boy and is the cutest thing ever. He's easy to take care of

Gear News of the Week: Samsung’s Trifold Promise, Ikea’s Sonos Split, and Hugging Face’s New Robot

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in Brooklyn earlier this week debuted seven new devices, from the Galaxy Z Fold7 to the Galaxy Watch8 series. But there weren't any surprises at the end, despite rumors that Samsung would unveil a trifold phone. Sensing disappointment, the company later confirmed that the phone is expected to land in 2025. “I expect we will be able to launch the trifold phone within this year,” TM Roh, head of Samsung's mobile business, told The Korea Times. The trifold phone, ru

Last Chance Prime Day Deal: This Robot Vacuum Blew Me Away With Its Ingenious Navigation Ability, and It's at an All-Time Low Price

Amazon Prime Day deal: We're in the final hours of Amazon's Prime Day sale, and the Dreame X50 robot vacuum just dropped to an all-time low price of $1,200. That's a 29% discount on a robot vacuum that usually lists for $1,700, and that's the lowest price I've ever seen for this model. If you're looking for top-tier performance, this robovac is more capable of climbing obstacles than any robot vacuum we've tested. CNET's key takeaways No robot vacuum has truly solved the challenge of multi-lev

15 Best Amazon Prime Day Vacuum Deals for Dust and Dirt in 2025

Cleaning isn't just for spring, and these Amazon Prime Day vacuum deals are ones you can't miss if you're looking for a better vacuum. The insanity of summer—beach days! sunscreen spills! sticky ice cream!—leaves me cleaning more often than in the springtime or any other season. A great vacuum makes a huge difference. Whether I'm grabbing my favorite stick vacuum for the stairs, a car vacuum for my Sisyphean car mess, or a Dyson to solve all my problems, you can usually find me with a vacuum in

Does a window-cleaning robot actually work? I tested one to find out, and it's over $200 off

ZDNET's key takeaways The Winbot W2 Omni is typically available for $700. The robot works indoors or outdoors and cleans seamlessly, picking up dirt without smearing it around or smudging your glass It also navigates the span of the glass, cleaning the full window without missing spots. I wish the device worked while plugged in and cleaned the edges of windows more effectively. View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy View now at Ecovacs more buying choices The Ecovacs Winbot W2 Omni Pro wind

Humanoids, AVs, and what’s next in AI hardware at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 hits Moscone West in San Francisco from October 27 to 29, bringing together 10,000+ startup and VC leaders for three days of bold ideas, groundbreaking tech, and future-shaping conversations. One of the most highly anticipated sessions happening on one of the two AI Stages will spotlight where AI hardware is heading next, featuring a live look at the robotics and autonomous systems pushing boundaries in real time. In this session, two of the field’s most visionary builde

Prime Day deals include up to 50 percent off Shark robot vacuums

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . The well-regarded AI Ultra robovac is down to $298 during the last day of the sale. Shark robot vacuums are on sale for Prime Day and there are some good deals to be had. For instance, the AI Ultra is on sale for just $298. This is 50 percent off, as the regular price is $599. This i

Intel spins out AI robotics company RealSense with $50 million raise

Brian Krzanich, chief executive officer of Intel Corp., right, shows the collision avoidance feature of an AscTec Firefly drone with Intel RealSense cameras during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Intel is spinning out its artificial intelligence robotics and biometric venture as more companies bet big on automation tools. The new company, known as RealSense, was announced Friday and comes alongside a $50-million Series A funding round that includes MediaTek Innov

The best Amazon Prime Day robot vacuum deals end tonight: Save on machines from Shark, iRobot, Dyson and others

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products . Robot vacuums are some of the pricier smart home gadgets you can get, making them great items to look for during sales like Amazon Prime Day. The annual shopping event always includes solid deals on electronics, and that includes smart home gear like autonomous dirt-suckers. Prime Day

Tesla is already trying to expand its robotaxi service to Arizona

Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona in a bid to bring its fledgling robotaxi service to the Metro Phoenix area, the state’s Department of Transportation confirmed to TechCrunch. Tesla contacted the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) under the Arizona Department of Transportation on June 26 to begin the certification process, a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The company, which launched a limited robotaxi service in South Austin last month, expressed interes

Tesla is already trying to expand its Robotaxi service to Arizona

Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona in a bid to bring its fledgling robotaxi service to the Metro Phoenix area, the state’s Department of Transportation confirmed to TechCrunch. Tesla contacted the Motor Vehicle Division under the Arizona Department of Transportation on June 26 to begin the certification process, a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The company, which launched a limited robotaxi service in South Austin last month, expressed interest in o

Tesla moves to expand Robotaxi to Phoenix, following rival Waymo

Elon Musk's Tesla has applied to test and eventually deploy its Robotaxi vehicles in Phoenix, Arizona, following in the footsteps of market leader Waymo. Tesla has applied to conduct autonomous vehicle testing and operations, with and without human safety drivers on board, in Arizona, a spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Transportation told CNBC on Thursday. A decision on the application is expected at the end of July, and Tesla has "expressed interest in operating within the Phoenix Me