☕ Operator input

Lyft seeks driver feedback on AVs.

July 28, 2025 View Online | Sign Up presented by It's Monday. The bots are coming...and they've RSVP'd. Tomorrow's the day! Get ready to explore how physical AI is shaking up the working world. From drones to droids, we're diving into the future of automation—with zero judgment if you show up in your robot pajamas. In today's edition: Lyft exec in charge of driver experience on why ignoring AVs would be 'No. 1 pitfall' Tesla profits fall again as Musk acknowledges 'a few rough quarters' could lie ahead Rising energy costs could be a 'surprising positive' for energy-efficient home appliances —Jordyn Grzelewski, Tricia Crimmins, Annie Saunders FUTURE OF TRAVEL Driver's seat Brittany Holloway-Brown Starting later this summer, some Lyft rides in Atlanta will have empty driver's seats as the rideshare network begins rolling out autonomous vehicles. Still, Jeremy Bird, Lyft's EVP of driver experience, told Tech Brew that the company expects humans to occupy a critical role in the rideshare industry for many years to come, especially if hopes that AVs spur industry growth pan out. To help its drivers navigate the introduction of this technology into Lyft's fleet, the company recently kicked off a series of forums inviting drivers to share input. "I think the No. 1 pitfall would be to ignore it," Bird said. "To say, 'Oh, this is something that's gonna happen 10 years down the road. No need to look over here.' Meanwhile, to be signing deals with autonomous vehicle companies. I don't think that is fair to drivers." Going hybrid: Lyft plans to team up with self-driving tech companies and other partners to bring AVs into the fold amid growing competition in the robotaxi space. The rideshare network is, for example, planning to launch autonomous rides in Atlanta later this summer, using AV tech company May Mobility's vehicles. It also plans to roll out robotaxi rides in Dallas in partnership with Mobileye. Keep reading here.—JG presented by Fidelity Private Shares℠ The lay of the VC land The VC landscape is shifting like a desert. But that doesn't mean you can't get answers about it. Fidelity's guide to venture capital trends outlines what startups can (read: should) keep an eye out for in 2025. Grab yourself a copy to learn things like: how AI is impacting venture capital dealmaking how venture deals have rebounded + what that means for fundraising timelines how and why the M&A trend emerged as one of the primary exit routes The guide also offers insights into the top three US venture hubs—New York, Boston, and the Bay Area—and their strengths. Grab your guide. FUTURE OF TRAVEL Bumpy ride Francis Scialabba Tesla's rough ride continues. The No. 1 US EV maker on Wednesday released a Q2 earnings report that again showed significant financial impacts amid cooling EV demand and backlash to CEO Elon Musk's foray into right-wing politics. The EV maker reported $1.2 billion in net income, down 16% YoY. Automotive revenues fell 16%, as well, while overall revenue was down 12%. In an update for investors, the company attributed its falling profits to lower revenue from regulatory credits Tesla sells to other automakers, an increase in operating expenses, and a decline in vehicle deliveries, among other factors. Tesla's vehicle deliveries fell 13% YoY in Q2. As The Verge noted, Tesla is likely to see its revenue from regulatory credit sales largely go away, thanks to a Trump administration plan to cancel fines for automakers that exceed fuel-efficiency goals. Investment research firm CFRA lowered its 12-month price target for Tesla shares by $20 to $300, and maintained its hold opinion. Keep reading here.—JG GREEN TECH Silver lining Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images Mainstay clean energy and home energy efficiency tax credits are being phased out by the "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law by President Trump, and some green tech business owners are reminding consumers that their products can save money without subsidies and help insulate them from rising energy prices. That's certainly Cala Systems CEO Michael Rigney's approach when it comes to marketing his company's smart heat pumps amid industry changes. In an interview with Tech Brew, he explained that because Cala's smart water heaters optimize how much water is heated based on personalized home needs, they use less energy. "The next generation of appliances in the world are going to have a design where they have sensors to better understand what's taking place and improve actual physical components that let them control whatever it is they're doing," Rigney said. "It leads to better efficiency." Keep reading here.—TC Together With Comcast Business 5 tech trends to watch in 2025. What happens when AI starts making your daily decisions? By 2028, AI will handle 15% of them. The future is here. From digital trust to transformation, IT leaders are redefining work, leadership, and what comes next. Gain valuable insights from Comcast Business and industry experts—access the report here. Level up your career with these resources from our sponsors! How today's AI can shape tomorrow's breakthroughs Crush it at work with Per My Last Email, a podcast full of smart, funny insights about navigating your career BITS AND BYTES Stat: 660%. That's how much Chinese rare earth magnet exports to the US increased in June on a month-on-month basis, Reuters reported, "marking a sharp recovery in the flow of critical minerals used in electric vehicles and wind turbines after a Sino-US trade deal." Quote: "In a lot of ways this is a very basic hack to solve a problem that Google created for its users."—Ernie Smith, editor of the Tedium newsletter, to The Washington Post about a cheat code to get past Google's AI Mode Read: Elon Musk's Starlink internet works great if hardly anyone uses it (The Washington Post) VC trends : What should startups know when it comes to venture capital dealmaking? Find out in this guide from Fidelity. It's got insights on AI-driven growth, market recovery, and exit strategies.* *A message from our sponsor. SHARE THE BREW Share Tech Brew with your coworkers, acquire free Brew swag, and then make new friends as a result of your fresh Brew swag. We're saying we'll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. One link. Your referral count: 0 Click to Share Or copy & paste your referral link to others: emergingtechbrew.com/r/?kid=b3968dba Written by Jordyn Grzelewski, Tricia Crimmins, and Annie Saunders Was this email forwarded to you? 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