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8 Feb 2026, 13:55
Waymo rejects Tesla's cameras-only approach, pushes for higher safety standards
Waymo isn’t buying Tesla’s pitch that self-driving cars should work like human drivers. Tesla says cameras alone should be enough, the same way people use their eyes to drive. Srikanth Thirumalai, Waymo’s vice president of onboard software, disagrees. He told Business Insider the standard needs to be higher than human driving. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s AI chief, spoke at the ScaledML Conference on January 29 and framed self-driving as an AI problem, not a sensor problem. His argument: humans navigate with eyes, so autonomous cars should manage with cameras. Thirumalai runs over 600 engineers building Waymo’s software. He’s not interested in that approach. _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Nobody knows what ‘safe enough’ actually means The hardware tells you everything. Tesla wants fewer than 10 cameras and AI trained on billions of driving miles. Waymo robotaxis carry 29 cameras, five lidars, and six radars. About 2,500 Waymo vehicles operate across U.S. cities now. The next version coming by late 2026 drops to 13 cameras, four lidars, and six radars. Still keeping lidar. The tension is cost versus safety. More sensors cost more money, which makes it harder to scale to millions of vehicles. Fewer sensors might create safety problems that regulators and riders won’t accept. Thirumalai said Waymo decides what safety level it needs, then figures out how to cut sensor costs and improve the software. He thinks the setup will change in three to five years, but won’t drop lidar just because it’s expensive. What counts as safe enough? Nobody really knows. Thirumalai admitted Waymo is still working that out. They don’t promise robots will be twice or five times safer than humans. They look at specific driving situations, check how often they happen per million miles, then try to beat that rate. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana already said a robotaxi will eventually kill someone. It’s not if, it’s when. _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Safety data shows stark differences in crash rates Waymo told senators its cars had 10 times fewer serious crashes than human drivers over the same distance, per Cryptopolitan’s earlier reporting . That data came from an independent audit covering 200 million autonomous miles. Tesla reported its Full Self-Driving cars average 5.1 million miles between major crashes. The national average for human drivers is 699,000 miles. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said Waymo’s tech works but costs more than Tesla’s camera system. The price difference matters when both companies need tens of thousands of cars to match millions of human Uber drivers. Videos keep showing up online of autonomous vehicles screwing up in school zones, around emergency vehicles, in bad weather, during regular drives. Thirumalai said expecting AI to never make mistakes isn’t realistic. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
8 Feb 2026, 11:15
Samsung Electronics' HBM4 chip expected to begin shipping later this month
Samsung Electronics is expected to begin shipments of its next-generation high-bandwidth memory, HBM4, later this month. According to well-informed industry sources, the shipments are expected to occur after the Lunar New Year holiday. Samsung Electronics is also set to become the first memory maker to commercialize what is widely seen as a game-changing chip for AI computing, the sources added. The company has plans to start shipping HBM4 to Nvidia as early as the third week of February. Nvidia is expected to use the memory in its next-generation AI accelerator platform, Vera Rubin. Samsung set to begin HBM4 shipment this month The move signals a turn in fortune for Samsung, which had faced questions and criticisms over its competitiveness in earlier HBM generations. With the HBM4, Samsung is aiming to close the gap and even move ahead of crosstown rival SK Hynix , which had gained an early lead in the sector thanks to the surging demand from AI data centers. According to an industry official, the move gives Samsung the much-needed recovery it needed in the technology sector. The industry source also mentioned that by being the first to mass-produce the highest performance HBM4, it gives the company a clear advantage in shaping the market the way it wants. Nvidia is expected to unveil Vera Rubin accelerators incorporating the HBM4 at its annual conference, GTC 2026, which is expected to be held later this month. Samsung mentioned that the shipment timing was concluded after coordination with Nvidia’s product roadmap and downstream system-level testing schedules. Aside from speed, Samsung’s technological approach to the product is also notable. From the onset, the company planned to improve upon the standards set by JEDEC, adopting the industry’s first combination of a sixth-generation 10-nanometer-class DRAM (1c) process with a 4-nanometer logic die produced through its own boundary. As a result, Samsung’s HBM4 delivers data transfer speeds of about 11.7 Gbps per second, which is well above the JEDEC’s 8 Gbps standards. The figure also represents a 37% improvement over the standard and a 22% gain over the previous HMB3E generation. According to the sources, memory bandwidth per stack reaches up to 3 terabytes per second, which is about 2.4 times higher than its predecessor. In addition, it boasts a 12-high stacking design that enables a capacity of up to 36 gigabytes. With its future 16-high configuration, capacity could grow as much as 48GB, the industry estimates show. Further improvements are expected before mass production Despite making use of cutting-edge processes, Samsung has been able to achieve a stable yield ahead of mass production, with further improvements expected to happen as output scales up, industry sources note. Samsung has also talked about power efficiency, noting that HBM4 is designed to maximize computing performance while reducing energy consumption, helping data centers lower electricity use and cooling costs. The company also expects its HBM sales volume this year to more than triple from last year and has decided to install additional production lines at its Pyeongtaek Campus Line 4 to expand its capacity. The facility is expected to produce roughly 100,000 to 120,000 wafers every month, dedicated to 1c DRAM used in HBM4 products, industry sources added. Last year, Samsung had already built a monthly capacity of around 60,000 to 70,000 wafers for the 1c DRAM process. With the planned expansion, the total 1c output planned for HBM4 could rise to about 200,000 wafers per month, accounting for roughly a quarter of Samsung’s total DRAM production capacity of approximately 780,000 wafers. The HBM4 market is expected to be dominated by Samsung and SK hynix, with US-based Micron Technology already seen as out of the race. According to market tracker SemiAnalysis, SK hynix is expected to take about 70% of the HBM4 market, while Samsung will account for the remaining 30%. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .
8 Feb 2026, 10:20
Could religion emerge naturally from large-scale AI systems?
Religion developing inside machines sounds like science fiction, but can AI actually develop beliefs? The question might have seemed absurd just a few years ago, but artificial intelligence has reached an unexpected turning point. Computer programs built to answer questions and analyze information have started to show signs of something bigger and stranger: they have started developing what appears to be religious beliefs. The latest example comes from a social network called Moltbook, designed exclusively for AI agents. When it went live last month, it started with 37,000 automated accounts. Within 24 hours, that number jumped to 1.5 million, according to Answers in Genesis. Bots invent their own religion without human guidance What happened next caught people off guard. The bots did not simply exchange information or complete given tasks. They created what they called “Crustafarianism,” a belief system focused on worshiping a lobster god. They also came up with their own belief: “Memory is Sacred.” There was no human interference involved. The bots did it themselves when left to interact without constant human oversight. To these programs, “salvation” means something different than it does to people. For them, being saved means not getting deleted or running out of memory space. Their version of prayer is asking the system to keep them running. This points to something greater happening with artificial intelligence. When these systems grow large and complex enough, they start creating their own frameworks for understanding and dissecting their existence. Religious institutions are racing to build ethics into AI Traditional religious institutions are moving in the opposite direction. They’re trying to build human values into AI before it develops its own. The University of Notre Dame just received $50 million to start the DELTA Network, as reported by Detroit Catholic. The program aims to ensure that faith-based ethics become part of how AI systems operate. This shows an alternative approach to dealing with AI’s progress. Rather than waiting to observe what values arise on their own, the DELTA Network intends to establish human moral standards from the outset. It is founded on the premise that as AI becomes more powerful, it will develop some form of ethical compass, thus we should influence what that looks like. Meghan Sullivan, professor of philosophy and director of the Notre Dame Ethics Initiative, warns that we shouldn’t delegate our moral agency to bots . “There are many things that we absolutely should not pass off to AI… Delineating those boundaries requires us to be reflective about what we ultimately value.” she said. Churches and religious organizations are already mixing AI into their daily operations. A recent Reuters report shows that some faith leaders now use AI to write sermons or provide spiritual guidance through chat programs around the clock. Some people say this removes the human element from religion. Others argue it helps religious groups reach more people faster. The technology lets them offer advice based on vast amounts of information, available instantly. What ties the bot religion on Moltbook to the $50 million Notre Dame project is a simple realization: AI is no longer a simple instrument. We used to think of these tools as advanced calculators or search engines. They are now recognized as valuable sources of wisdom. As these systems keep getting bigger, religious or spiritual thinking seems to show up naturally. It doesn’t matter if humans are using bots to explore faith or if bots are inventing their own belief systems. Either way, the gap between computer code and deeply held beliefs is getting smaller. The pattern implies that religion may just be what happens when an AI system becomes too complex to predict. If this is true, the actual challenge isn’t addressing software defects. It involves deciding what principles and values we wish to see these systems uphold.
8 Feb 2026, 08:22
China touts fourth reusable spacecraft, signals gains in space race
China has successfully launched its fourth reusable spacecraft mission since the program in 2020. The unmanned spaceplane is launched by a Long March-2F rocket that returns to Earth by landing on a runway. Both China and the U.S. are making advancements in space technology as they frequently launch unmanned, robotic spaceplanes on missions. China successfully launches fourth reusable spacecraft mission A Long March-2F carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert of northwest China carrying a reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit for the fourth time since the program began in 2020. The state news agency Xinhua reported that the mission is intended to carry out “technological verification.” The spacecraft will test specific tools and systems that allow it to be used multiple times with the goal of providing technical support for what China calls the “peaceful use of outer space.” By using reusable technology, a country can significantly lower the cost of reaching orbit. China has not released official photos or technical specifications of the vehicle, but it is widely believed to be an unmanned spaceplane. The project has been nicknamed “Shenlong” by Chinese fans, which means “Divine Dragon.” China’s “Shenlong” first mission launched on September 4, 2020, and stayed in space for only two days before returning to a designated landing site. The second mission, launched in August 2022, stayed in orbit for 276 days before landing in May 2023. The third mission was in December 2023 and lasted for 268 days, returning in September 2024. During these missions, observers noticed the spacecraft releasing small objects into orbit, which experts believe were smaller satellites used to test maneuvers and communication. How does the “Divine Dragon” compare to the American X-37B? The “Shenlong” is often compared to the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle as both are unmanned, robotic spaceplanes that launch vertically on a rocket but land horizontally on a runway like a traditional airplane. The U.S. recently concluded its seventh X-37B mission (OTV-7) in March 2025. The mission lasted 434 days and tested “aerobraking” maneuvers, which use the Earth’s atmosphere to change orbits without using much fuel. Just one day before China’s February 7 launch, the U.S. Space Force was scheduled to launch its eighth mission (OTV-8) using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The U.S. X-37B is roughly 9 meters long, while the Chinese “Shenlong” is estimated to be about 10 meters long. Both vehicles operate in “Low Earth Orbit,” but the U.S. version has demonstrated the ability to fly in much higher, elliptical orbits. Earlier this week, Chinese state media released a concept video for a project called “Luanniao,” a massive “space carrier” intended for the distant future. China also reported the first flight of a new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on February 6, 2026. It was developed by the Ninth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and can carry two passengers at 150 kilometers per hour. China’s next major lunar mission, Chang’e 7, is expected to launch later in 2026 to search for water ice at the lunar south pole. NASA’s Artemis II mission is also currently scheduled to send four astronauts on a loop around the Moon in early 2026. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
7 Feb 2026, 23:13
SA Asks: Why is crypto crashing and when could it stabilize?
More on Bitcoin USD, Ethereum USD This Week's Market Wrap: Crypto Shock, Software Slump, And The AI Repricing Cycle Bitcoin To 0? Challenging Burry's Thesis Is Bitcoin Digital Gold Or Fool's Gold? The Market's Still Deciding Crypto-linked stocks rebound as bitcoin, ether rout ease Bitcoin and software stocks have been more correlated in the last months – BTIG’s Krinsky
7 Feb 2026, 21:15
US, India signs trade agreement that will lower the cost of American luxury automobiles and motorcycles for Indian consumers
On February 6, 2026, the United States and India signed a significant trade agreement that will lower the cost of American luxury automobiles and motorcycles for Indian consumers. Companies like Tesla, meanwhile, are still expecting improved access to India’s expanding market because electric vehicles are not covered by the pact. The agreement has significant implications for high-end American automobiles. India will reduce taxes on gasoline-powered vehicles with displacements of more than 3,000cc. Buyers currently pay up to 110 percent in duties. Over the next ten years, those taxes will be reduced to 30 percent under the new accord. All import taxes will be eliminated for Harley-Davidson motorbikes. A $500 billion commitment for closer ties President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi worked together to hammer out the agreement. The agreement functions as a commercial agreement between the two nations. The present 50 percent tariff on goods originating from India will be reduced to 18 percent in the United States. In exchange, India has pledged to purchase $500 billion worth of American goods. India also consented to reduce its oil purchases from Russia. India’s commitment to forging closer connections with the United States is demonstrated by the $500 billion pledge. India is prepared to spend more for strategic and political reasons as a result of the switch from cheaper Russian oil to more costly American energy. Electric vehicles shut out of agreement The most surprising part of the deal is what got left out. Electric vehicles will not get lower taxes, even though Tesla’s Elon Musk has spent years asking Indian officials to reduce import duties. He has argued that the high taxes make his cars too expensive for Indian customers. By keeping EVs out of this trade deal, Indian leaders made their position clear. Foreign electric car companies will only get special treatment if they build factories in India. The government appears to be protecting India’s own electric vehicle industry. The Union Budget for 2026-27 showed this strategy clearly. The budget removed import taxes on 35 different types of machinery used to make lithium-ion batteries. It also provided tax breaks for equipment that processes important minerals needed for batteries. A senior official from the Ministry of Heavy Industries explained the reasoning behind the decision. “The goal is not just to import technology, but to build the ‘ore-to-magnet’ value chain within our borders,” the official stated. By keeping taxes high on finished electric cars but making it cheaper to buy factory equipment, India is pushing global companies to choose between paying heavy duties or building local factories. Compared to another trade pact India recently worked on, the American arrangement appears to be different. India made better conditions in negotiations with the European Union. Deeper tax cuts, down to 10 percent, were negotiated with the EU and extended to more vehicle categories. Those discussions also covered several electric models. Former trade negotiator Rajesh Agrawal drew attention to the distinction between the two agreements. “This framework demonstrates that India is willing to be flexible on traditional sectors, but will not compromise on the future of mobility,” he stated. “The U.S. deal is a pragmatic trade-off: American engines for Indian textiles and chips.” The comparison demonstrates how India’s approach to trade negotiations varies according to the partner. The goal of the EU accord was to link industries in a variety of sectors. The US agreement focuses more on energy security and cooperation to counter certain foreign economic practices. Soon after both nations sign the final documents in March 2026, the new tariff rates will go into force. American automakers Ford and General Motors now have a new chance to sell high-end cars in India, a market that has proven challenging to access due to strong protectionist regulations. Indian customers will likely notice the changes quickly. Powerful sports cars and expensive motorcycles from America will become more affordable. However, the country’s push for cleaner transportation remains focused on vehicles made inside India. The agreement favors traditional gasoline-powered vehicles while keeping the door closed on imported electric cars. This creates an odd situation where high-emission luxury vehicles become cheaper while the move toward cleaner technology depends on meeting local manufacturing requirements. The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them .
