Tesla’s robotaxi launch veers off-course Tesla’s launch of robotaxi services in Texas has hit a roadbump after footage emerged appearing to show the autonomous vehicles breaking traffic laws. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reportedly contacted Elon Musk’s electric vehicle firm after they tried out their robotaxis on public roads for the […]
Tesla’s robotaxi launch veers off-course
Tesla’s launch of robotaxi services in Texas has hit a roadbump after footage emerged appearing to show the autonomous vehicles breaking traffic laws.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reportedly contacted Elon Musk’s electric vehicle firm after they tried out their robotaxis on public roads for the first time in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
Footage showed a number of errors, including cars driving on the wrong side of the road; dropping passengers off at busy intersections; and examples of phantom breaking.
In a statement to the BBC, the NHTSA said it was “aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information.”
Tesla has yet to comment on the rollout, which initially sees just 12 cars deployed on Texan roads.
Meta defeats authors in AI copyright case
Meta has seen off a major copyright lawsuit from 13 authors accusing the Facebook-owner of illegally using books to train its large language models.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria sided with Meta’s argument that the company’s use of books to train LLMs such as Llama is protected under the fair use doctrine of U.S. copyright law.
However, the judge also warned that his ruling was limited to this case, saying the authors – including Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates – had put forward two “flawed arguments” that failed to show how Meta’s use of their books to train Llama had caused “market harm.”
“On this record, Meta has defeated the plaintiffs’ half-hearted argument that its copying causes or threatens significant market harm,” Chhabria said. “That conclusion may be in significant tension with reality.”
Meta’s practice of “copying the work for a transformative purpose” is protected by the fair use doctrine, the judge wrote.
CMA considers forcing Google to show rival search options
Google is facing significant changes to its search engine that could see the tech giant forced to link to rivals, according to the UK regulator.
The Competitions and Markets Authority – currently investigating if Google holds an unfair monopoly in search – is set to outline a roadmap of changes it could force Google to make to its business ahead of a final ruling due in October.
Google accounts for more than 90% of searches in the UK, and 200,000 businesses use the company’s search advertising to reach customers. However, the CMA said it is not accusing Google of anti-competitive practices at this time.
Google-parent Alphabet has pledged to work with the regulator, who could demand significant changes from the firm under new powers it was recently granted.
Aviva becomes first Irish 5G-connected sporting venue
Ireland’s Aviva Stadium has partnered with Shared Access and Vodafone to upgrade its communications infrastructure and offer 5G to stadium-goers.
The Dublin stadium opened in 2010 and was built on the land of the former Lansdowne Road Stadium, which had been home to Irish rugby and football since 1872.
The new 5G coverage makes The Aviva Stadium Ireland’s first 5G-connected sporting venue, according to the stadium’s owners, Irish RFU and FA of Ireland.
Chris Jackman, CEO of Shared Access, said: “This 5G announcement means The Aviva Stadium will deliver best-in-class sporting action on and off the pitch. Our expertise in the installation of telecoms infrastructure in major venues is well established, and this is another proud moment for Shared Access, partnering with Vodafone Ireland and The Aviva Stadium to bring sports fans the future.”
