ByteBrief
We're a portrait publication through and through. Turn your phone back and your briefing picks up right where you left it.
(We tried widescreen once. It wasn't us.)
4 stories in the last 7 days
The latest Climate news, distilled by AI into sharp ~100-word summaries covering climate, clean energy, sustainability and the environment. ByteBrief scans dozens of tech sources and surfaces only what matters, updated hourly. Tap any story for the full brief, or open the original source.
Turin-based ORiS raised €5 million to develop laser power beaming for satellites. Earlybird and Pitchdrive led the €4.5 million pre-seed round, with a €0.5 million grant from the Piedmont Region. The company aims to recharge satellites in orbit using lasers instead of solar panels. A flight model is planned by July 2027.
CuspAI, a British startup, raised $450 million in Series B funding to use AI for discovering new materials in semiconductors, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Backers include Jeff Bezos and the UK government's sovereign AI fund. The company partnered with Nvidia and other industry leaders.
China's heavy EVs, with 60 percent of new cars exceeding 16 feet and some weighing three tons, are damaging roads. Fuel-tax revenue is declining, creating an annual shortfall of up to 300 billion yuan ($44 billion) for road upkeep. Beijing is considering a mileage-based road user charge and trimming EV tax concessions.
Volkswagen announced the redesigned 2027 Atlas starts at $41,610 plus a $1,525 destination fee, a $2,350 increase over the previous model. The crossover features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 282 hp, genuine wood trim, leatherette seats, and a 12.9-inch infotainment system. Arriving this fall.