uber Uber and Lyft Commit to Covering Legal Fees for Drivers Sued Under Texas Abortion Law Ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft pledge to pay legal defense costs for drivers who face lawsuits under Texas's strict abortion legislation. The companies state this protection ensures drivers are not financially penalized for transporting passengers to reproductive health clinics.
uber Lyft and Uber Pledge to Cover Legal Fees for Drivers Under Texas Abortion Law Rideshare giants Lyft and Uber announce they will pay all legal costs for drivers sued under Texas' strict new abortion legislation. The companies criticize the law as an attack on privacy and women's healthcare access.
aurora Autonomous Driving Startup Aurora Goes Public via SPAC Merger Aurora is merging with Reinvent Technology Partners to go public, securing $2.5 billion in cash to scale its Level 4 self-driving technology. The company plans to integrate its autonomous systems into commercial trucks by late 2023.
aurora innovation Autonomous Vehicle Startup Aurora Targets $13 Billion Valuation via SPAC Merger Aurora Innovation goes public through a SPAC merger with Reinvent Technology Partners Y, securing major investments and aiming for a $13 billion valuation. The deal provides the self-driving company with approximately $2.5 billion in cash to bring its product to market.
robinhood Robinhood Secures $1 Billion Emergency Funding Amid Trading Frenzy Robinhood raises $1 billion from existing investors to meet regulatory requirements following a surge in user trading activity. The SEC simultaneously warns that extreme stock price volatility threatens to undermine market confidence.
anthony levandowski Trump Pardons Former Google Engineer Convicted of Self-Driving Trade Secret Theft Former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski receives a full presidential pardon after serving time for stealing driverless car trade secrets. The move has backing from notable tech figures including Peter Thiel and Palmer Luckey.
anthony levandowski Trump Pardons Former Uber Engineer Convicted of Stealing Waymo Trade Secrets President Trump grants a full pardon to Anthony Levandowski, erasing his 18-month prison sentence for stealing self-driving car documents from Google. The controversial move draws support from tech leaders despite the judge calling it the biggest trade secret crime he had ever seen.
anthony levandowski Trump Pardons Former Google Engineer Anthony Levandowski for Trade Secret Theft Former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski receives a full presidential pardon for stealing self-driving car trade secrets, avoiding his 18-month prison sentence. The pardon draws support from major tech figures including Peter Thiel and Palmer Luckey.
ces CES Shifts Focus to In-Vehicle Screens as Uber Plans New Spinoff This week's transportation news highlights a CES dominated by vehicle infotainment and giant screens rather than autonomous driving tech, alongside hints at another Uber spinoff.
aurora Aurora Acquires Uber's Self-Driving Unit in Major Industry Shake-Up Aurora absorbs Uber's Advanced Technologies Group to accelerate its self-driving technology, while Uber invests $400 million in the new strategic partnership.
aurora Aurora Acquires Uber's Self-Driving Unit in $10 Billion Landmark Deal Autonomous vehicle startup Aurora takes over Uber ATG in an all-stock transaction that values the combined company at $10 billion. Uber invests $400 million to secure a 26% stake and a board seat in the newly expanded company.
proposition 22 California Voters Approve Tech-Backed Proposition 22 to Strip Gig Worker Protections Following a massive $200 million campaign by Uber and Lyft, California passes Proposition 22 to permanently deny gig workers standard labor protections. Tech companies now plan to push this model to other states.
prop 22 California Voters Approve Proposition 22 to Keep Gig Workers Independent California voters pass Proposition 22, allowing companies like Uber and Lyft to keep classifying their drivers as independent contractors. The new law provides limited benefits while preserving worker flexibility.
uber California Court Upholds Employee Classification for Uber and Lyft Drivers A California appeals court upholds a ruling requiring Uber and Lyft to classify their drivers as employees. The ultimate outcome now depends heavily on the upcoming vote on Proposition 22.
uber Uber Drivers Sue Over Alleged Coercive Prop 22 App Messaging Two Uber drivers and two nonprofit groups are suing Uber, claiming the company illegally coerces workers into supporting Proposition 22 through its driver app. A judge recently denied a temporary restraining order in the case.