by Enaysha Thompson | Sep 12, 2023 | Business News, Latest, Tech News |
Image Credit: Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
The autonomous driving scene in Europe is about to get shaken up. Deeproute.ai, an autonomous driving startup headquartered in Shenzhen, China, has plans to set up an operations center in Germany by 2024. The company, which has received over $350 million in funding and employs more than 500 employees worldwide, is the latest Chinese mobility upstart to establish a physical presence in Germany, home to some of the world’s largest automakers.
The move marks a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy, which aims to collaborate with more local automakers and support OEM partners on smart driving mass production.
Unveiling The Plan
The announcement came during the International Motor Show Germany in Munich, where several Chinese mobility players marked their presence. The company has also revealed its plans to roll out its production-ready autonomous driving solution in Germany next year, with other European markets to follow.
Tech Behind The Wheel: Drive 3.0
The solution, dubbed Drive 3.0, works without HD maps and includes features like valet park assist. With a competitive hardware price of $2,000, the system is quite compelling. This affordability is largely thanks to Deeproute’s collaboration with its competitively priced Chinese lidar suppliers. Powering the system is Nvidia’s Drive Orin system-on-a-chip.
The Operations Center: A Mystery Unfolding
Details about the operations center remain sparse at this point. Deeproute has shared that it plans to hire a business development team in Germany, but the specifics about the operations center’s roles and responsibilities, as well as its geographical location, are yet to be disclosed.
Learning From History: Momenta’s Foresight
It’s worth noting that Deeproute is not the first Chinese autonomous driving company to establish a base in Germany. Suzhou-based competitor Momenta had the foresight to open an office in Stuttgart two years ago. This strategic move arguably paved the way for Momenta to foster closer relationships with its investor Mercedes-Benz, as well as other European OEMs.
Nio’s Footprint in Germany: A Case Study
Nio, another Chinese premium electric vehicle startup, already has a 1,500-sqm innovation center in Berlin and a design facility in Munich. In addition to these, it also runs a “Nio House,” a stylish members’ club and showroom in the German capital.
Deeproute’s Strategic Shift: From Robotaxi to Production-Ready Car
Like many ambitious Chinese AV startups, Deeproute initially focused on Level 4 driverless technologies to power robotaxis. However, over time, the company shifted its focus to less advanced driving solutions for auto partners, which could generate immediate cash flow. A representative from the company explained that they have been working with OEMs on mass production since last year, which prompted the shift in focus.
Deeproute’s Expanding Customer Base
As of the end of 2022, Deeproute’s services had provided over 800,000 passenger rides, most of which were executed by its robotaxis in major Chinese cities. With its impending expansion into Germany, the company hopes to grow its OEM customer base, which already includes Seres and Geely. A local business development team will be instrumental in connecting with more local automakers.
The Road Ahead: More Chinese Companies to Follow?
With Deeproute’s planned expansion, it’s possible that more Chinese robotaxi companies will consider venturing into Germany. If successful, Deeproute could potentially pave the way for other companies to follow suit, further solidifying China’s presence in the global autonomous driving landscape.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Sep 8, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
In a shocking incident that gripped the nation, Jermelle English Jr, a Black man from Wisconsin, faced a wrongful arrest at a local Applebee’s. An unfortunate case of mistaken identity led to this brutal episode, sparking widespread outrage across social media platforms.
The Incident Unfolds
The incident unfolded in July, when law enforcement officers from Kenosha, Wisconsin, barged into an Applebee’s, targeting English Jr. They mistook him for a suspect involved in a hit-and-run accident. A video capturing the scene went viral, showcasing English Jr. pinned to the ground, with his 1-year-old baby nearby, as the officers began hitting him repeatedly1.
Misidentification and Charges
English Jr. and the woman accompanying him, Shanya Boyd, were taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting police. Boyd faced an additional charge for marijuana possession. The actual culprits, whom the police were pursuing, were later discovered hiding in the Applebee’s restroom2.
Aftermath and Social Media Uproar
The aftermath of this incident was equally tumultuous. Jennifer Harris, the on-duty manager at Applebee’s at the time, recounted the chaotic scene to CBS 58. She expressed her concern for the baby and English Jr., while also noting that pepper spray was used during the scuffle3.
“It was a lot, I was worried for the baby first off, the baby and the gentleman, that was my first concern,” she said.
Harris also mentioned an employee who tried to intervene, urging the police to stop their assault. However, the cops responded by threatening to arrest him too4.
“One employee was trying to get the cops to stop punching him, he was like, ‘Hey, hey, stop, he’s on the ground, stop,’ and they pushed him, pushed my employee, and said, ‘One more word out of you and you’re arrested.'”
Manager’s Dismissal
In a shocking turn of events, Harris was fired by the restaurant chain after videos of the incident surfaced on social media. The management accused her of tarnishing the Applebee’s brand name.
“They told me they can’t trust me and that I didn’t just ruin this Applebee’s name, I ruined all the Applebee’s in Wisconsin’s name by letting these videos get out,” she stated. “I’m not the one who recorded the videos nor let them out on the internet, so I don’t understand. My employees are trying to get the right story out, so how did we ruin the name of Applebee’s?”
The Power of Social Media and Celebrity Influence
The incident, fueled by social media traction, caught the attention of influential figures, including music mogul JAY-Z. Known for his contributions towards social justice, JAY-Z reportedly helped English Jr. secure a strong legal defense5.
Conclusion
The incident at the Wisconsin Applebee’s serves as a stark reminder of the persistent racial disparities in our society. It underscores the power of social media to highlight social injustices and mobilize support. The episode has spurred a renewed call for police reform and accountability, and the fight for justice continues.
by Pharron Fields | Sep 5, 2023 | Business News, Latest, Tech News |
Image Credit: Photo by Per Lööv on Unsplash
Teamshares: A Novel Approach to Business
First on our list is an intriguing venture by Teamshares. This startup has been attracting a substantial amount of capital and has embarked on an ambitious mission of acquiring numerous small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Teamshares also plans to offer its employees the opportunity to earn stock through prolonged service, while simultaneously providing centralized fintech services to all its subsidiary companies. This novel business model has ignited much discussion in the startup community.
MoonPay: Stepping into the Venture Game
Next, we turn our attention to MoonPay, a crypto payment infrastructure company that is venturing into the world of investments. MoonPay is setting its sights particularly on crypto, gaming, and fintech. The confluence of these three sectors invariably leads to crypto games. We are keenly observing MoonPay’s investment decisions, as new funds that are crypto-themed or crypto-adjacent are becoming increasingly scarce. Therefore, MoonPay’s entry into the market is indeed exciting news.
Rent Butter and Kiki: Revitalizing Renting
With the zero interest rate era drawing to a close and the experimental phase of building new iBuying and mortgage service startups partially concluded, renting is back in vogue. Consequently, startups that focus on rentals are also gaining traction. Two such startups are Rent Butter and Kiki, both of which are making waves in the rental market.
The Elusive Tech IPOs
The long-awaited tech IPOs have been more elusive than anticipated. Using data from Crunchbase, we have noted the extended wait for authentic tech IPOs. The good news, however, is that they are gradually making a comeback.
Lean Startup Ideology Meets AI
Lastly, we explore what happens when the lean startup ideology infiltrates the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As it turns out, this combination leads to an abundance of experiments.
And with that, our roundup of this week’s most significant startup and tech news concludes. Please note that due to an American holiday, our next episode of Equity will be broadcasted on Tuesday instead of Monday. Until then, keep innovating and stay tuned!
by Derrick T Lewis | Aug 24, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
Investigative work by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into the behavior of law enforcement officers in a Northern California precinct has resulted in a series of indictments. The probe, initiated one and a half years ago, scrutinized the officers’ use of force, examined their text messages, and considered complaints lodged by local residents.
On a specific Friday (18th of August), the US Attorney’s Office located in the Northern District of California made an announcement. It stated that a federal grand jury in San Francisco had returned four indictments. These charges were against ten individuals—both current and former officers and employees of the Antioch and Pittsburg precincts.
The Charges
The Antioch officers—Morteza Amiri, Eric Rombough, and Devon Wenger—were each slapped with several charges. These included conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, and the destruction/falsification of records related to federal investigations.
Their alleged misconduct involved discussions about their plans to employ excessive force against citizens. They also unnecessarily deployed K-9s, and other violent actions that were labeled “less lethal”. The indictment, in its 29 pages, also revealed that they shared photos of injured suspects via text. These images were accompanied by messages such as “Yeah buddy, good boy pursy” and “F**k that turd.”
Previous Reports
Earlier in May, REVOLT reported that over a dozen Antioch officers were identified in the FBI’s probe. This investigation was looking into a series of racist texts that dated back to 2019. The messages were described as abhorrent and reprehensible. They depicted an “entrenched culture of hatred, racism, homophobia, misogyny, and violence” within the department. Later in that month, a civil lawsuit was filed against the precinct. This was done on the behalf of five residents and a relative of a man who was fatally shot by an officer.
Mayor’s Response
The Mayor of Antioch, Lamar Thorpe, took to a press conference to discuss the grand jury’s decisions. “To those that have accused me and others of being anti-police for seeking to reform the Antioch Police Department, today’s arrests are demonstrative of the issues that have plagued the Antioch Police Department for decades,” Thorpe said, as reported by NBC Bay Area.
Other Indictments
Amiri is also one of five officers implicated in a college fund fraud indictment. This includes charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Wegner is one of two named in a steroid distribution indictment. This includes conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and destruction, alteration, and falsification of records in federal investigations. A fourth obstruction indictment lists one officer, Timothy Manly Williams, along with deprivation of rights, obstruction of official proceedings, and the alteration, and falsification of records in federal investigations.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Jul 21, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
A Georgia therapy clinic has taken swift action after a disturbing incident involving one of its employees and a Black fisherman went viral. The therapy clinic announced the termination of their business relationship with the employee responsible for the harassment.
The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday (July 11), came to light when Anthony Gibson, an aspiring actor, shared a video of the encounter on TikTok. According to Daily Mail, Gibson, who resides in a Columbus neighborhood, was fishing at a “residents only” lake when neighbors challenged his presence there.
In the viral video, the therapy clinic’s employee, identified as Tanya, is seen confronting Gibson while he peacefully fishes in the neighborhood lake. The encounter quickly escalates, with Tanya harassing and questioning Gibson about his right to be at the location. The video stirred outrage online, with many condemning the actions of the woman and expressing support for Gibson.
As the video gained traction on social media platforms, the therapy clinic faced mounting pressure to address the incident. In response, the clinic released a statement announcing their decision to sever ties with the employee involved. The statement reads, “We have terminated our business relationship with the independent contractor, Tanya.”
The termination of the employee demonstrates the clinic’s commitment to upholding principles of equality, respect, and inclusivity. By taking decisive action in the face of such behavior, the clinic sends a clear message that harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated within their organization.
The incident also shines a spotlight on the issue of racial profiling and harassment faced by Black individuals in public spaces. Gibson’s experience at the “residents only” lake is a stark reminder of the racial biases and prejudices that persist in society, even in seemingly mundane situations.
The video posted by Anthony Gibson serves as a potent example of the power of social media in raising awareness and holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions. The widespread sharing of the video sparked conversations about racial injustice and discrimination, prompting the therapy clinic to address the situation promptly.
While the termination of the employee represents a significant step in addressing the issue, it also underscores the need for continued efforts to combat racism and promote understanding in communities. The incident serves as a call for increased education and awareness surrounding issues of racial sensitivity and cultural inclusivity.
Moving forward, it is crucial for businesses and individuals alike to actively work towards fostering an environment of mutual respect and acceptance. The therapy clinic’s response to the incident highlights the importance of organizational values that prioritize diversity and equality.
As the video continues to resonate with audiences, it is hoped that the incident will spark further dialogue and reflection on how society can strive towards a more inclusive and compassionate future. In standing against harassment and racial profiling, we can collectively work towards building a society that embraces diversity and celebrates the richness of different cultures and backgrounds.
The therapy clinic’s decision to terminate the employee involved in the harassment incident is a step towards accountability and sends a powerful message about their commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. This action reaffirms the importance of standing up against racism and discrimination, and serves as an example for other organizations to follow in promoting positive change.
RECENT COMMENTS