Chinese brain interface startup Gestala raises $21M just two months after launch
[ad_1] Elon Musk’s Neuralink and OpenAI-backed Merge Labs are pushing forward with brain–computer interface (BCI) technology in the U.S. Meanwhile, Chinese serial entrepreneur Phoenix Peng is building rival efforts through two startups: NeuroXess, which develops implantable BCI systems, and a…
Ride-hailing inDrive acquires Pakistan’s Krave Mart to bolster grocery delivery
[ad_1] Global ride-hailing company inDrive, known for its bid-based pricing model, has acquired Pakistan-based quick-commerce startup Krave Mart, TechCrunch has learned, as it pushes further into grocery delivery and commerce services in South Asia. The all-stock deal, agreed last year,…
Ford’s new AI assistant will help fleet owners know if seatbelts are being used
[ad_1] Ford rolled out an AI assistant this week that can monitor and analyze millions of data points to help its Ford Pro commercial customers boost their bottom line. The bet, and one that most other automakers are making, is…
Google Play is adding new paid and PC games, game trials, community posts, and more
[ad_1] Google on Wednesday announced a slew of new gaming-focused updates to Google Play at GDC 2026. The tech giant revealed that Google Play is expanding its catalog to include anticipated paid and PC indie games, launching game trials, introducing…
Nuro is testing its autonomous vehicle tech on Tokyo’s streets
[ad_1] Nuro, the Silicon Valley-based startup backed by Nvidia, Uber, and SoftBank, is testing its autonomous vehicle technology in Japan. Toyota Prius vehicles equipped with Nuro’s self-driving software — and human safety operators behind the wheel as backup — began…
AI ‘actor’ Tilly Norwood put out the worst song I’ve ever heard
[ad_1] When the production company Particle6 debuted its AI-generated “actor” Tilly Norwood last fall, the move was not warmly welcomed by Hollywood. “Good Lord, we’re screwed,” Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt said in an interview with the industry publication Variety….
India neobank Fi winds down banking services on its platform
[ad_1] India’s neobank Fi is discontinuing banking services on its platform more than four years after launching them in partnership with Federal Bank, directing customers to access their savings accounts through the bank’s mobile app as it winds down the…
Quince hits $10B valuation with giant $500M round led by Iconiq
[ad_1] In a sea of massive valuations for early-stage AI startups, today we have a bit of rare news: a jumbo round and valuation step-up for an e-commerce company. Quince announced on Wednesday that it raised a $500 million Series…
Drivers in fatal Ford BlueCruise crashes were likely distracted before impact
[ad_1] Two drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2024 while using Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system were likely distracted in the moments before impact, according to new information released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The safety board…
Replit snags $9B valuation 6 months after hitting $3B
[ad_1] Vibe-coding sensation Replit has hit another funding milestone. The company announced Wednesday that it raised a $400 million Series D at a $9 billion valuation, led by previous investor Georgian Partners. Other participating investors include G Squared, Prysm Capital,…