Welcome to Daily Zaps, your regularly-scheduled dose of AI news ⚡️ 

Here’s what we got for ya today:

• 🚕 How to watch Tesla’s Robotaxi event

• 🦾 Amazon adding AI and robots to warehouses

• 📦 Amazon uses AI to speed up delivery

• 💲 OpenAI won’t be profitable until 2029

Let’s get right into it!

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BIG TECH

How to watch Tesla’s Robotaxi event

Tesla is set to unveil its long-anticipated Robotaxi, or "Cybercab," at the "We, Robot" event in Burbank, California, after delaying the reveal from August for design changes. The prototype is expected to be a compact, autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, though it may face regulatory hurdles.

Event will be streamed on X on 10/10 at 7 PM PT

BIG TECH

Amazon adding AI and robots to warehouses

At its "Delivering the Future" event, Amazon unveiled plans for new robot-powered fulfillment centers, starting with a massive 3-million-square-foot facility in Shreveport, Louisiana. This next-generation center marks a shift toward a more advanced, AI-driven approach to warehouse operations, building on Amazon’s decade-long robotics journey since acquiring Kiva in 2012.

The facility will feature 10 times the number of robots typically found in standard centers, including the new Sequoia system, which can store over 30 million items. Amazon emphasized that humans will continue to work alongside these advanced robotic systems, aiming for improved speed and safety in operations.

BIG TECH

Amazon uses AI to speed up delivery

Amazon announced the integration of new AI-powered Vision-Assisted Package Retrieval (VAPR) technology into its electric vehicle fleet, designed to streamline package delivery. VAPR uses vision-based tech to highlight packages for delivery at the current stop with green or red indicators, helping drivers quickly identify the right packages without needing to search manually.

The system includes audio cues to confirm package selection, eliminating the need for handheld devices. In development since 2020, VAPR has been tested in select markets like Boston and will be implemented in 1,000 Rivian electric vans by early 2025. Amazon claims the technology can reduce delivery time per stop from 2-5 minutes to under a minute.

STARTUPS

OpenAI won’t be profitable until 2029

OpenAI projects it won't turn a profit until 2029, with revenue expected to reach $100 billion by then. However, OpenAI anticipates substantial losses along the way, including up to $14 billion in 2026. Its cash burn, estimated at $340 million in the first half of 2024, could accelerate in the coming years, driven by high computing costs for training its AI models.

Despite these expenses, OpenAI recently raised $6.6 billion, bringing its valuation to $157 billion, signaling investor confidence in its potential. Key to OpenAI's strategy is its flagship product, ChatGPT, which is expected to remain the primary revenue driver. The company is also developing new products, including AI-driven agents and advanced subscriptions, to diversify its income streams.