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Instacart to eliminate about 2,000 jobs and GitHub head of HR resigns
Hey y’all. You’ve just landed on Human Capital, the weekly newsletter that details the latest in labor, and diversity and inclusion in tech. The week kicked off with GitHub making a public apology to the person the company terminated for cautioning his employees about Nazis in D.C. on the day of the insurrection at the […]
techcrunch - 6 hours ago
Original Content podcast: ‘Bridgerton’ is an addictive reimagining of Jane Austen-style romance
“Bridgerton,” the Shondaland drama that launched last month on Netflix, offers a few key updates to the standard formula of Regency-era romance. For one thing, there’s a racially diverse cast, with Black actors taking on the role of early 19th-century English nobility and royalty. (At one point, one of the characters offers an unconvincing explanation […]
techcrunch - 10 hours ago
Watch SpaceX launch its first dedicated rideshare mission live, carrying a record-breaking number of satellites
SpaceX is set to launch the very first of its dedicated rideshare missions – an offering it introduced in 2019 that allows small satellite operators to book a portion of a payload on a Falcon 9 launch. SpaceX’s rocket has a relatively high payload capacity compared to the size of many of the small satellites produced […]
techcrunch - 13 hours ago
Is anything too big to be SPAC’d?
While many deemed 2020 the year of SPAC, short for special purpose acquisition company, 2021 may well make last year look quaint in comparison. It’s probably not premature to be asking: is anything too big to be SPAC’d? Just today, we saw the trading debut of the most valuable company to date go public through […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Daily Crunch: Alphabet shuts down Loon
Alphabet pulls the plug on its internet balloon company, Apple is reportedly developing a new MacBook Air and Google threatens to pull out of Australia. This is your Daily Crunch for January 22, 2021. The big story: Alphabet shuts down Loon Alphabet announced that it’s shutting down Loon, the project that used balloons to bring […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Backed by Vint Cerf, Emortal wants to protect your digital legacy from ‘bit-rot’
We are all pumping out data into the cloud. Some of it we’d like to keep forever. Emortal is a startup that wants to help you organize, protect, preserve and pass on your ‘digital legacy’ and protect it from becoming unreadable, otherwise known as ‘bit-rot’. The project has received backing from the legendary Vint Cerf, one of […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Drupal’s journey from dorm-room project to billion-dollar exit
Moving from dorm room to billion-dollar exit is the dream of every startup founder. Dries Buytaert got there by being bold, working hard and thinking big.
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Boston Globe will consider people’s requests to have articles about them anonymized
The Boston Globe is starting a new program by which people who feel an article at the newspaper is harmful to their reputation can ask that it be updated or anonymized. It’s reminiscent of the E.U.’s “right to be forgotten,” though potentially less controversial, since it concerns only one editorial outlet and not a content-agnostic […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Xbox Live Gold is getting a big price hike
In what feels like an attempt at kicking some bad news under the rug on a Friday, Microsoft announced this morning that the price of Xbox Live Gold is going up.
techcrunch - 1 day ago
EVgo to go public via SPAC in bid to power EV charging expansion
EVgo, the wholly owned subsidiary of LS Power that owns and operates public fast chargers for electric vehicles, has reached a deal to become a publicly traded company through a merger with special-purpose acquisition company Climate Change Crisis Real Impact I Acquisition Corporation. The combined company, which will be listed under the new ticker symbol […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Pinterest launches an AR-powered Try-on experience for eyeshadow
Pinterest is expanding its virtual makeup try-on capabilities with today’s launch of a new augmented reality feature that allows online shoppers to virtually try on new eyeshadow. Initially, Pinterest is allowing try-on with 4,000 shades from brands like Lancome, YSL, Urban Decay, and NYX Cosmetics. The feature leverages Pinterest’s existing Lens visual search technology, its […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Google refreshes its mobile search experience
Google today announced a subtle but welcome refresh of its mobile search experience. The idea here is to provide easier to read search results and a more modern look with a simpler, edge-to-edge design. From what we’ve seen so far, this is not a radically different look, but the rounded and slightly shaded boxes around […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Sounding Board raises cash as startups wake up to executive coaching
In an unprecedented work environment defined by distributed teams and virtual-only communication, two co-founders think their 2018 bet reigns truer than ever: mentors need mentorship, too. Christine Tao and Lori Mazan, the brains behind Sounding Board, want to train any leader within an organization to be a better leader. The San Francisco startup connects anyone […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
How VCs invested in Asia and Europe in 2020
Falling seed volume, lots of big rounds. That's 2020 VC around the world in a nutshell.
techcrunch - 1 day ago
MotoRefi raises $10M to keep pedal on auto refinancing growth
A month before the COVID-19 pandemic had spread to North America, auto fintech startup MotoRefi — newly armed with nearly $9 million in venture capital — was preparing to bring its refinancing platform to the masses. CEO Kevin Bennett, and the investors behind the company, saw the opportunity to service Americans who collectively hold $1.2 […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Blobr, the ‘no-code’ company turning APIs into products, raises €1.2M pre-seed
Blobr, a Paris-based startup operating in the no-code space with tech to make it easier for companies to expose and monetise their existing APIs, has raised €1.2 million in pre-seed funding. The round is led by pan-European pre-seed and seed investor Seedcamp, with participation from New Wave, Kima, and various angel investors. Blobr is also […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
‘Slow dating’ app Once is acquired by Dating Group for $18M as it seeks to expand its portfolio
Five-year-old ‘slow dating’ app Once has been acquired by the Dating Group, one of the largest companies in the dating world, for $18 million in cash and stock. Dating Group has 73 million registered users across a range of portfolio fatting apps including Dating.com. Clémentine Lalande, co-founder and CEO of Once, will continue leading the company […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Cloudflare introduces free digital waiting rooms for any organizations distributing COVID-19 vaccines
Web infrastructure company Cloudflare is releasing a new tool today that aims to provide a way for health agencies and organizations globally tasked with rolling out COVID-19 vaccines to maintain a fair, equitable and transparent digital queue – completely free of charge. The company’s ‘Project Fair Shot’ initiative will make its new Cloudflare Waiting Room […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Apple reportedly planning thinner and lighter MacBook Air with MagSafe charging
Apple is said to be working on a new version of the MacBook Air with a brand new physical case design that’s both thinner and lighter than its current offering, which was updated with Apple’s M1 chip late last year, per a new Bloomberg report. The plan is to release it as early as late […]
techcrunch - 1 day ago
Didi to subsidize trips for vaccinations with $10M fund
As countries around the world prepare to vaccinate people against the coronavirus, tech companies are rushing to demonstrate their willingness to help fight the deadly virus. China’s ride-hailing leader Didi Chuxing is pledging a $10 million fund to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts in 13 markets outside its home country China, the company said on Friday. […]
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techcrunch
Robotic exoskeletons promise increased mobility and job assistance
techcrunch - 1 week ago
The last several years have seen a substantial increase of ability for robotic exoskeleton technology. Completely understandable. For one thing, its that rare technology you encounter that really feels like its going to change lives for the better the first time you see it. Ive had a number of demos with companies that frankly took my breath away — watching someone walk across the room for the first time in years while their spouse stands by you crying will do that.
For another thing, there are two distinct use cases for this tech. The first is the aforementioned mobility — whether it’s full paralysis or simply helping people with walking impairments move a bit more easily. The second is work. Exoskeletons have great potential to ease the burden of lifting heavy objects or standing for extended periods. For this reason, many companies like Esko Bionics have created two distinct divisions to serve both sides.
So its a big, potential market — albeit one thats still going to take a number of years to mature. For that reason, were really only talking rough projections here. I do think theres still space for some smaller companies to carve out a meaningful business in the category.
I also wont be surprised when more big companies get involved in the category. Its a good way to put your stamp on the robotics category. Samsungs GEMS is certainly the biggest-name product in the category this week at CES — even if it didnt warrant a ton of stage time. It debuted at the event two years ago and we were able to try it out. For now, the news centered around hardware improvements like battery and the beginning of clinical trials a necessary part of bringing this sort of healthcare or healthcare-adjacent product to market.
As with most of Samsungs robotics announced at the show this week, the jury is very much still out with regards to how seriously the company is taking the product. Last year it made a brief appearance at CES as part of an immersive workout experience.
Image Credits: Archelis
Some smaller companies have shown off compelling entries. Japan-based Archelis Inc. is top of mind, showcasing the ArchelisFX, whose name derives from the Japanese word for “walkable chair.” The device is designed for a number of different scenarios, including back pain and those who have recently undergone surgery. The company says it will be available to rent or buy for around $5,000.
On the whole, the exoskeletons on display at this years virtual CES tend largely toward the mobility side of the equation. Notably absent was Sarcos Robotics, which announced a partnership with Delta Airlines at last years event. In September, the company built on that interest to raise a $40 million round.
