You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Its anniversary week for Helldivers 2! Arrowhead has just shared the update 01.002.101 patch notes, and they detail some huge buffs along with FRV changes and more. Following the release of this update, leaks for a new Warbond have appeared online. This Helldivers 2 Warbond leak shows new armor along with a Warhammer 40K inspired melee weapon.New Helldivers 2 Warbond leak includes Warhammer 40K ChainswordProminent Helldivers 2 leaker, Iron_S1ghts, has revealed the name of a new Warbond called Servants of Freedom. Theres no release mentioned for the Warbond, but many are hopeful that it will be Arrowheads way of celebrating the one-year anniversary of HD2 before or precisely on February 8th.Following the revelation of the Warbonds name, Iron_S1ghts showed the silhouette of a new HD2 melee weapon, The Chainsword. The silhouette looks identical to The Chainsword famous from Warhammer 40K, but the Warbond is not a crossover, so it seems to be inspired from Warhammer rather than directly from said universe.Image credit: @Iron_S1ghts on XIn addition to the above weapon, Iron_S1ghts leaked a B-22 model citizen armor that has the following description: Gifted to Helldivers whose civilian lives were distinguished by exemplary citizenship, patriotism, and service to the Federation. It also has the following stats and passive:Armor rating 100Speed 500Stamin Regn 100Passive Democracy Protects:50% chance not to die when taking lethal damage.Prevents all damage from bleeding if chest haemorrhages.Image credit: Arrowhead via @Iron_S1ghts on XLastly, Iron_S1ghts has also showed off the cover art for the Servants of Freedom Warbond. It appears to show some creepy new helments, along with more new weapons.Image credit: Arrowhead via @Iron_S1ghts on XNone of these leaks have been confirmed by Arrowhead, so nothing is official as of writing. Iron_S1ghts did accurately leak the crossover Warbond with Killzone prior to its announcement, and we will update this article if anything more is revealed either by Arrowhead or Iron_S1ghts. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We have also a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield.Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerRelated TopicsHelldivers 2 Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

(Photo credit: Adobe Stock)TikTok, a widely used social media platform with over a billion active users worldwide, has become a key source of news, particularly for younger audiences. This growing influence has raised concerns about potential political biases in its recommendation algorithm, especially during election cycles. A recent preprint study examined this issue by analyzing how TikToks algorithm recommends political content ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Using a controlled experiment involving hundreds of simulated user accounts, the study found that Republican-leaning accounts received significantly more ideologically aligned content than Democratic-leaning accounts, while Democratic-leaning accounts were more frequently exposed to opposing viewpoints.TikTok has become a major force among social media platforms, boasting over a billion monthly active users worldwide and 170 million in the United States. It has also emerged as a significant source of news, particularly for younger demographics. This has raised concerns about the platforms potential to shape political narratives and influence elections.Despite these concerns, there has been limited research investigating TikToks recommendation algorithm for political biases, especially in comparison to extensive research on other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit.We previously conducted experiments auditing YouTubes recommendation algorithms. This study published at PNAS Nexus demonstrated that the algorithm exhibited a left-leaning bias in the United States, said Yasir Zaki, an assistant professor of computer science at New York University Abu Dhabi.Given TikToks widespread popularityparticularly among younger demographicswe sought to replicate this study on TikTok during the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. Another motivation was the concerns over TikToks Chinese ownership led many U.S. politicians to advocate for banning the platform, citing fears that its recommendation algorithm could be used to promote a political agenda.To examine how TikToks algorithm recommends political content, the researchers designed an extensive audit experiment. They created 323 sock puppet accountsfake accounts programmed to simulate user behavioracross three politically diverse states: Texas, New York, and Georgia. Each account was assigned a political leaning: Democratic, Republican, or neutral (the control group).The experiment consisted of two stages: a conditioning stage and a recommendation stage. In the conditioning stage, the Democratic accounts watched up to 400 Democratic-aligned videos, and the Republican accounts watched up to 400 Republican-aligned videos. Neutral accounts skipped this stage. This was done to teach TikToks algorithm the political preferences of each account.In the recommendation stage, all accounts watched videos on TikToks For You page, which is the platforms main feed of recommended content. The accounts watched 10 videos, followed by a one-hour pause, and repeated this process for six days. Each experimental run lasted one week. The researchers collected data on approximately 394,000 videos viewed by these accounts between April 30th and November 11th, 2024.To analyze the political content of the recommended videos, the researchers downloaded the English transcripts of videos when available (22.8% of unique videos). They then used a system involving three large language modelsGPT-4o, Gemini-Pro, and GPT-4to classify each video. The language models answered questions about whether the video was political, whether it concerned the 2024 U.S. elections or major political figures, and what the ideological stance of the video was (pro-Democratic, anti-Democratic, pro-Republican, anti-Republican, or neutral). The majority vote of the three language models was used as the final classification for each question.The analysis uncovered significant asymmetries in content distribution on TikTok. Republican-seeded accounts received approximately 11.8% more party-aligned recommendations compared to Democratic-seeded accounts. Democratic-seeded accounts were exposed to approximately 7.5% more opposite-party recommendations on average. These differences were consistent across all three states and could not be explained by differences in engagement metrics like likes, views, shares, comments, or followers.We found that TikToks recommendation algorithm was not neutral during the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, explained Talal Rahwan, an associate professor of computer science at New York University Abu Dhabi. Across all three states analyzed in our study, the platform consistently promoted more Republican-leaning content. We showed that this bias cannot be explained by factors such as video popularity and engagement metricskey variables that typically influence recommendation algorithms.Further analysis showed that the bias was primarily driven by negative partisanship content, meaning content that criticizes the opposing party rather than promoting ones own party. Both Democratic- and Republican-conditioned accounts were recommended more negative partisan content, but this was more pronounced for Republican accounts. Negative-partisanship videos were 1.78 times more likely to be recommended as an ideological mismatch relative to positive-partisanship ones.We observed a bias toward negative partisanship in TikToks recommendations, Zaki noted. Regardless of the political partyDemocratic or Republicanthe algorithm prioritized content that criticized the opposing party over content that promoted ones own party.The researchers also examined the top Democratic and Republican channels on TikTok by follower count. Republican channels had a significantly higher mismatch proportion, meaning their videos were more likely to be recommended to accounts with an opposite political leaning. Notably, videos from Donald Trumps official TikTok channel were recommended to Democratic-conditioned accounts nearly 27% of the time, while Kamala Harriss videos were recommended to Republican-conditioned accounts only 15.3% of the time.Finally, the researchers analyzed the topics covered in partisan videos. Topics stereotypically associated with the Democratic party, like climate change and abortion, were more frequently covered by Democratic-aligned videos. Topics like immigration, foreign policy, and the Ukraine war were more frequently covered by Republican-aligned videos. Videos on immigration, crime, the Gaza conflict, and foreign policy were most likely to be recommended as ideological mismatches to Democratic-conditioned accounts.To build on this work, future research could explore how TikToks algorithm behaves across different election cycles, investigate how misinformation is distributed within partisan content, and compare TikToks political content recommendations with those of other major platforms. Additionally, studies incorporating real user data alongside automated experiments could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how individuals experience political content on TikTok. Given the platforms growing role in shaping public discourse, continued scrutiny of its recommendation system will be essential for assessing its impact on political knowledge and voter decision-making.We want to address fundamental questions about the neutrality of social media platforms, Rahwan said.The study, TikToks recommendations skewed towards Republican content during the 2024 U.S. presidential race, was authored by Hazem Ibrahim, HyunSeok Daniel Jang, Nouar Aldahoul, Aaron R. Kaufman, Talal Rahwan, and Yasir Zaki. Authoritarianism Right-wing authoritarianism linked to perceived threat from minoritized groups, but national context mattersIndividuals with strong right-wing authoritarian beliefs are more likely to perceive minoritized groups as a threat. This relationship was weaker in countries with higher religiosity or social marginalization, highlighting the influence of sociocultural context on authoritarian attitudes. Read moreDetails Authoritarianism Algorithmic manipulation? TikTok use predicts positive views of Chinas human rights recordNew research shows TikTok users encounter less content critical of China and more content aligned with pro-CCP narratives compared to other platforms. Heavy TikTok users also report more favorable views of Chinas human rights record. Read moreDetails Donald Trump Identity fusion with Trump reinforced his election fraud claims and narratives of victimhoodTrump supporters with strong personal loyalty (identity fusion) were more likely to believe his election fraud claims, which further deepened their loyalty and led to greater support for his policies and dismissal of his legal troubles. Read moreDetails Mental Health TikTok tics study sheds light on recovery trends and ongoing mental health challengesA study found that pandemic-related stress and TikTok exposure contributed to a surge in functional tic-like behaviors among adolescents, with most improving after restrictions eased, though many faced ongoing mental health and psychosocial challenges. Read moreDetails Political Psychology Conservatives share more false claims in polarized settings, research revealsConservatives are more likely than liberals to share misinformation in politically polarized settings, driven by a desire for ingroup dominance, but this behavior diminishes in less polarized environments where both groups act similarly. Read moreDetails Political Psychology A nation exhausted: The neuroscience of why Americans are tuning outpoliticsPolitical fear, media polarization, and identity-driven politics have fueled exhaustion and learned helplessness in Americans, leading many to disengage from political news. Read moreDetails Authoritarianism Adolescents with authoritarian leanings exhibit weaker cognitive ability and emotional intelligenceTeens with lower intelligence and emotional abilities are more likely to support authoritarian beliefs, whether left- or right-wing, suggesting shared psychological traits underpin rigid, authority-driven ideologies across the political spectrum. Read moreDetails Political Psychology Postmodern beliefs linked to left-wing authoritarianismResearchers found that postmodern ideals are linked to authoritarian attitudes, but the connection weakens as psychological distress increases, contrary to expectations. Read moreDetails

You Heard WrongOne Marvel exec says "never say never" to the idea of recasting Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther, but right now "theres no truth to those rumors" about someone else taking on the role"We havent really had a lot of creative conversations with Ryan Coogler yet."Image credit: Marvel News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Feb. 4, 2025 Some recent rumours suggested that Chadwick Boseman's incarnation of Black Panther, might be getting recast, but it seems like that isn't the case for now.When Chadwick Boseman sadly passed in 2020, Marvel made the decision to not recast the character for the at the time upcoming sequel, essentially meaning that his version of the Black Panther likely wouldn't come back in any shape or form. Recently, though, you might have seen some rumours that Marvel is currently considering recasting the character after all, in some shape or form, for any potential appearances. The choice to do that all these years later seems like a bit of an odd one, but as it turns out, it's not something Marvel is even thinking about right now.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Speaking to ComicBook.com, VP of production and development at Marvel Studios Nate Moore addressed those recent rumours, quite plainly saying that "the truth is, theres no truth to those rumors. Never say never to anything, we havent really had a lot of creative conversations with Ryan Coogler yet, because hes finishing his film Sinners, which comes out this year. Well get into it later this year, but everything you read online is not true, if for no other reason than we just havent started."Presumably Moore is talking about Black Panther 3 here, but clearly some amount of work has started on it, as Denzel Washington shared that Coogler is writing a role for him in the third film, whatever that might be. How far along that script might be, considering as Moore mentioned Coogler will still be busy with the quite good looking Sinners, is anyone's guess - it wasn't until last December that the film was even confirmed to be in the works. For now, we'll just have to wait and see if the story requires an appearance from T'Challa, though I'm not sure how well that would go down with fans of the character.

Make The SwitchNintendo Switch 2 "cannot come soon enough", analyst says for sales-related reasons, rather than just being desperate to play things on it like the rest of usWhile it's now cleared the 150 million mark, sales of the current Switch are slowing up faster than Nintendo predicted.Image credit: Nintendo News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Feb. 4, 2025 The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally revealed last month, and naturally that led to a big change. Rather than everyone asking 'when Switch 2 reveal?', everyone's now going even harder on asking 'when Switch 2 arrive?'.Well, according to one industry analyst following the arrival of Nintendo's latest financial report, the answer is that it "cannot come soon enough", because its predcessor's not doing as well sales-wise as the company had anticpated.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. The analyst in question, Dr Serkan Toto of Japanese consultancy firm Kantan Games, gave that view to VGC in response to Nintendo revealing its latest earnings report covering the final three months of 2024. Basically, this stack of numbers and graphs showed that, while the OG Switch has now surpassed 150 million units sold, its sales are slowing down in a manner that's required Nintendo to lower its forecast for the rest of this fiscal year, which ends in March.Sales of the Switch hardware wise are down more than 30% compared to last year, and software sales are also down 24%, with the slate of games on offer seemingly playing a key role in that. 2023 had both The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which sits among the top 10 the top-selling Switch titles of all-time, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, while 2024's new arrivals were the likes of Super Mario Party Jamboree, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Mario & Luigi Brothership.Those have sold 6.17, 3.91, and 1.4 million units respectively in their relatively short lifespans so far, according to these results that end December 31, 2024.Pointing out that this isn't the first time in recent history Nintendo's had to lower its hardware sales forecast, Toto commented to VGC that these latest results make it "much clearer how Nintendo overestimated the life that is still left in the Switch at the start of the fiscal year"."Im not sure why they thought they would sell 14 million units this fiscal year with a very dry software slate," he added, "Switch 2 cannot come soon enough. I hope for them it is not scheduled for Fall, like not too few people believe."Nintendo needs a less dry game slate? Hey, all we can say is, we recently came up with a list of definitely not Switch 2 launch titles we'd want to see as Switch 2 launch titles. Maybe they're worth looking into.

Something's waiting in the wingsAs a reminder, the original Switch will be entering its ninth year in stores in March 2025, so while there are doubtless some late adopters and budget-conscious gamers to mop up with attractive hardware bundles in the months ahead and perhaps even some enthusiasts looking to get a mint-in-box system on the shelf before they become scarce this sales decline is hardly unexpected.Why would Nintendo fans buy an OG Switch now with the new one waiting in the wings that'll play nearly all the Switch's games anyway?The reality is that Nintendo is almost at Switch saturation point; everybody who wants one has got one. It's not impossible it could go on to sell another 10 million units and take PS2's best-selling console crown (assuming Sony doesn't move the goalposts again), but it feels like wishful thinking - especially given Switch 2's backward compatibility. Why would Nintendo fans buy an OG Switch now with the new one waiting in the wings that'll play nearly all the Switch's games anyway?The general gaming conversation late last year centred around Nintendo's Switch 2 announcement plans, as leaks sprung essentially confirming its form and function before the official reveal in January. Conventional wisdom suggested that of course the company wasn't going to announce the successor and neuter holiday sales potential, but with Nintendo you never can tell. Turns out they held their marketing nerve even as the calls became deafening, sensibly hoping to milk Switch for one final holiday season. The results don't call for cork-popping, but from a business and timing perspective, it was the logical move.Image: NintendoAs you'd expect, investors will be champing at the bit for Switch 2's release as soon as possible to kickstart the next generation and boost hardware sales and overall numbers back to the stratospheric heights of 2017-2021. "Switch 2 cannot come soon enough," says Dr. Serkan Toto speaking to VGC. The analyst believes Nintendo "overestimated the life that is still left in the Switch" and "expect[s] them to miss even this lowered forecast."It's not just the analysts and the shareholders desperate for new news, though we're all jonesing for something fresh. Switch 2's launch date has yet to be shared, although Nintendo has a Direct lined up for 2nd April, and it seems everyone fans and investors alike will be hoping for a June or July summer date, rather than October or November. The current console isn't quite on life support but it may as well be, and the Switch 2 'Experiences' (which, more than a PR move, feel like a further two-month delay tactic to bolster production numbers ready for launch) are overkill for a system gamers are so hungry for.It's almost like Switch is a very old platform and everyone's waiting for the new hotness.Could Nintendo limp through the summer months, through its Q4 results in three months, without having the Switch 2's imminent launch to dispel shareholder displeasure? It certainly could the situation isn't financially catastrophic despite those slashed forecasts but everyone's on edge as it is, and the announced lineup for Switch won't help.Xenoblade Chronicles X is excellent, but a known quantity. A tentpole release like Pokmon Legends: Z-A will attract attention and, along with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, is eagerly awaited by a devoted fan base...but they'll both presumably be playable on the new console. And again, everyone who wants to play those games already has a Switch. OG hardware numbers aren't going to perk up in any meaningful way, even if new tie-in SKUs appear.Fun as it is to debate, selling more Switches than PS2 won't affect Switch 2, which is Nintendo's #1 priority now Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeI don't believe Nintendo cares about beating Sony's ever-moving PS2 record - it won't be distracted by that. Of course, were Switch 1 to break the all-time best-selling console record, Nintendo's marketing department would be delighted, but the Kyoto firm is too sensible to chase a record for the sake of it.No, all eyes are now focused on a successful launch for Switch 2, and the clock is ticking. Looking at how quiet Nintendo's internal development teams have been over the last couple of years, it suggests the big software guns are being prepped to fire with everything they've got come April. All drama aside, the pressure is on for Nintendo to meet everyone's expectations, and then some.How impatient are you for Switch 2 to just launch already? (89 votes)I NEED IT YESTERDAY!!!24%The sooner the better, for all our sakes!27%Late summer would be fine20%I'd be good with an autumnal treat in Oct/Nov8%Don't really care, it'll come when it comes20%What's this? They're making a second Switch!?...1% Nintendo will be just fineFollowed by a hands-on tourSee AlsoShare:00 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesEx-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March

"We want to thank everyone who believed in and supported this project".Production on Nintendo and Sony's live-action Legend of Zelda film is presumably ticking away behind closed doors, but in the meantime, a group of fans are undertaking the challenge of bringing Hyrule to life themselves.Above, you'll find the first teaser trailer for 'Lost in Hyrule', an upcoming live-action fan film which has just opened its doors to Rupee donations on Kickstarter (or other, non-Hylian currencies, if you'd rather). According to the campaign page, the story takes place after the events of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, offering the filmmaker's take on "the untold conclusion to the Hero of Times saga". Mmm, lore.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

A large portion of Egypts population lacks access to traditional banking, forcing many to rely on cash transactions and informal lending. Khazna, a fintech startup founded in 2019, is tackling this issue by offering financial services tailored for low- and middle-income workers. The company provides solutions like salary advances, digital payments, and microloans to help employees and contractors access much-needed financial services.Khazna recently secured $16 million in pre-Series B funding, bringing its total funding to over $63 million. The investment will support its expansion plans as it prepares to apply for a digital banking license in Egypt and expand into Saudi Arabia.When we covered the fintech in 2022, it had just raised $38 million pre-Series A with over 150,000 customers across its products. Today, Khazna has grown its user base to over 500,000 people; that number is half what it was targeting twice by the end of 2022, according to what Saleh shared at the time.The company focuses on workers earning three times less than Egypts minimum wage, providing them with affordable financial tools. About 100,000 users receive their payroll through Khazna, allowing the company to integrate financial services such as loans and insurance directly into their payroll accounts.For the remaining 400,000 users, Khazna offers lending services, helping gig workers and pensioners access credit. CEO Omar Saleh explained that the company initially focused on payroll-backed credit and pension lending, contributing to its break-even last month. What we did over the last two and half years was to focus on our core product, which is credit offering to payroll and pension recipients and also unsecured loans to gig workers, co-founder and CEO Omar Saleh told TechCrunch on a call. This is the most profitable and core product in our journey, and getting it right was very important because it has helped us to hit profitability.Egyptian financial super app Khazna raises $38M from Quona Capital and LendableOn the path to becoming a digital bankKhazna provides other services like bill payments, buy now, pay later, medical insurance, and a rent-to-own product. But by embedding itself into both payroll and lending, it is strategically moving toward becoming a full-fledged digital bank for Egypts underserved communities. But one thing is missing: unlike traditional banks, Khazna, like many fintechs in Egypt, doesnt have access to customer deposits, making it expensive to fund loans. So far, Khazna has relied on wholesale debt financing in dollars (USD) and the Egyptian pound (EGP) to fund its lending operations.To reduce borrowing costs and offer more affordable loans, Khazna is now working to obtain a deposit-taking license in Egypt. This license would allow the startup to accept customer deposits, allowing it to lower its cost of funds. The biggest game changer here is for us to get access to user deposits. Theres a huge opportunity for us to capture part of that market as well in a way that will make our cost of funding much more attractive than it is today, and ultimately, that would put us in a very differentiated position, he remarked. Khazna is targeting mid-2026 to secure the banking license from Egypts Central Bank, which laid out its regulatory framework for digital banks in July 2024.But as the six-year-old fintech gets started with that process, its simultaneously setting sights on Saudi Arabia, where there is a growing demand for consumer finance solutions. Unlike BNPL players like Tabby and Tamara, which focus on short-term BNPL credit, Khazna hopes to differentiate itself with medium-term credit products like earned wage access (EWA), payroll-backed lending, and pension-based credit.Expansion plans, including a not-so-imminent IPOAnother reason Khazna is prioritizing Saudi is its strong connection with Egypt, Saleh notes. With nearly three million Egyptians living in Saudi, the Egypt-Saudi remittance corridor is one of the worlds largest, presenting an opportunity to offer cross-border financial services, combining credit-led offerings with foreign exchange (FX) solutions. Beyond market size and product fit, Saudi Arabias capital markets are also a driver in Khaznas decision, according to Saleh. Tadawul is one of the regions most liquid and retail-investor-driven stock exchanges, launching several IPOs over the past couple of years.For that reason, Khazna plans to have 40-50% of its business coming from Saudi in the next four years, making it eligible for a public listing on Tadawul. For early-stage investors who have backed the company for four to five years, Saleh says this provides a clear path to a high-value exit.Sure, Khazna will fund this expansion with the recently raised growth capital. However, the macroeconomic challenges in Egypt over the past two years had a hand in structuring this pre-Series B round. Between 2022 and 2023, Egypt faced currency devaluations and economic instability, making fundraising more difficult for startups and ventures. The overall slowdown in deal flow reflected this, as investors took a cautious approach to Egyptian startups. But 2024 brought a major shift, with over $50 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into Egypt following economic reforms and a more flexible exchange rate. As a result, investor confidence returned, bringing renewed interest from global and regional investors.As such, Khazna welcomed participation from new and existing investors, including global investors like Quona and Speedinvest, as well as regional financial institutions and investment firms like SANAD Fund for MSME, anb Seed Fund (managed by anb Capital), Aljazira Capital (the investment arm of Bank Aljazira of Saudi Arabia), Tibas Ventures (the venture capital arm of bank of Turkey), Khwarizmi Ventures, Nclude (the fintech fund set up by Egypts largest national banks) and ICU Ventures.

Self-driving truck startup Waabi is partnering with Volvo Autonomous Solutions to jointly develop and deploy autonomous trucks, an important milestone as it gets closer to a commercial launch.The tie up also marks Volvos second partnership to co-develop self-driving big rigs with a startup partner. In May 2024, Volvo teamed up with Aurora Innovation to reveal the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck.Waabi will be using the same truck, but it will have Waabis tech on it, including its sensor suite, compute, and the Waabi Driver software.We now have everything we need to scale our product, Raquel Urtasun, founder and CEO of Waabi, told TechCrunch. We have the next-generation AV 2.0 technology, we have an approach that is much more capital efficient, and a much faster path to market.Waabi plans to launch commercial pilots with the Volvo-built trucks in Texas over the next couple of months, with a product-ready driverless demonstration on public roads planned for the end of 2025.A fully driverless commercial launch directly between customer depots from day one, rather than via terminals will follow soon afterwards, according to Urtasun.Urtasun, who previously served as chief scientist at Uber ATG before launching Waabi in 2021, claims to have built AI models that can reason as a human would, which in turn speeds up commercial deployment and makes for a more efficient system overall. She has reasoned that a better quality AI will require much less data and compute to understand and react to the world around it.Waabi has relied on its simulation technology to not just test and train its self-driving technology, but also to help design trucks for OEM integration. The startup unveiled its first purpose-built truck with sensors, compute, and software built in at the assembly line in 2022.By contrast, competitor Kodiak Robotics has developed a self-driving system that includes all of the redundant hardware and software system, but is not tied to one manufacturer. Urtasun is more interested in integrating the Waabi Driver into autonomous trucks at the factory level with no interruption to an OEMs assembly line.Urtasun believes this is the best approach to building a safe, reliable product.Waabis partnership with Volvo builds on the automakers strategic investment into the startup two years ago via its venture arm, Volvo Group Venture Capital. Volvo later participated in Waabis $200 million Series B.Volvo will build trucks for Waabi at its production-ready facility in Virginia. Urtasun said the first handful would come off the assembly line in 2025, and that she expects a timeline of around two to three years to reach volume scale.Over that time, Urtasun also noted that capital efficiency will be an absolute must to be successful in this industry. She says Waabis AI-first approach means the startups capital needs to get to a driverless launch will be a tiny fraction of what you see in the industry today.To date, Waabi has raised $282 million, per PitchBook data, and Urtasun says the startup has enough to launch a driverless operation on public roads and beyond. Its main competitors, Aurora and Kodiak, have raised $3.46 billion and $243 million, respectively.Aurora plans to launch a driverless commercial trucking operation by April, and Kodiak last month delivered its first autonomous trucks to a commercial partner that will use them for off-road operations.2025 is the year of trucking; its a make it or break it situation, Urtasun said. I think there will be potentially more consolidation.There arent many players left in the game since Embark and TuSimple shut down and Waymo paused its autonomous truck ambitions.When asked if Waabi was considering a merger or acquisition, Urtasun replied: Absolutely not. Trucking is only the beginning. Were going to do so much more than trucking robotaxis, warehouse robotics. I have tremendously big plans for the company, and we are going to remain a fully independent company.

3D printer OEM Stratasys (NASDAQ: SYSS) has released its unaudited preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. This news coincides with the latest $120 million investment from Fortissimo Capital.The Q4 2024 revenue is expected to land between $150.1 million and $150.5 million, reflecting a sequential increase in hardware sales while consumables declined compared to the previous quarter. GAAP gross margin is projected to range from 46.0% to 46.5%, with non-GAAP gross margin estimated between 49.4% and 49.7%.GAAP operating loss is anticipated to fall between $13.3 million and $14.4 million, while non-GAAP operating income is expected to range from $9.0 million to $9.5 million. Net loss under GAAP is estimated between $15.3 million and $16.5 million, whereas non-GAAP net income is projected at $8.1 million to $8.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to come in between $14.2 million and $14.6 million, supported by positive cash flow from operating activities.Expectations for 2025 remain optimistic, with EBITDA margins forecasted at 8% under current revenue conditions, while higher revenue is expected to drive an increase in EBITDA margins. In addition, moderate revenue growth could push margins to at least 10% for FY 2025. The management is also anticipating to generate substantial cash flow from operations throughout the year.The manufacturer is set to announce its Q4 2024 financial results on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. A conference call to discuss the quarterly performance is scheduled for the same day at 8:30 a.m. (ET)The Stratasys F370 3D printer. Photo via Stratasys.Stratasys previous quarters financial performanceStratasys Q3 2024 results included total revenue of $140 million, reflecting a 13.7% year-over-year (Y/Y) decline from $162.1 million in Q3 2023. When compared sequentially, revenue increased by 1.4% from $138 million in Q2 2024. A slowdown in capital equipment sales weighed on overall performance, though consumables continued to provide stability.Gross margin expanded to 44.8%, a 4.3 percentage point improvement from 40.5% in Q3 2023, driven by an improved product mix and operational efficiencies. The shift toward high-margin consumables helped counterbalance revenue pressures, allowing for more stable profitability indicators.Reporting revenue via two segments; products and services, product revenue totaled $94.1 million, down 16.9% Y/Y from $113.3 million, largely due to softer capital equipment demand. On a quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q) basis, product revenue inched up 0.5% from $93.6 million in Q2 2024, suggesting a degree of stability in customer orders.System revenue came in at $31.7 million, sliding 38.5% from $51.5 million a year earlier but rebounding 9.3% from $29 million in Q2 2024, an indication of slight recovery in equipment sales. Consumables revenue remained a bright spot, growing for the eighth consecutive quarter on a Y/Y basis to reach $62.4 million, a 3.1% increase from $60.5 million. However, sequentially, consumables revenue declined 3.4% from $64.6 million in Q2 2024, signaling some demand fluctuations within the quarter.Next up, service revenue including Stratasys Direct, stood at $45.9 million, declining 6.0% from $48.9 million in Q3 2023 but improving 3.4% from $44.4 million in Q2 2024.Customer support revenue showed resilience, rising 1.3% Y/Y, maintaining steady engagement levels. The GrabCAD suite, featuring Print Pro and Streamline Pro, continued to drive high-margin service revenue, supported by strong customer adoption and integration into workflow processes.Additionally, Stratasys also refined its service portfolio to align with evolving customer needs while maintaining cost efficiencies, positioning itself for more sustained performance.Revenue $ thousandsQ3 2024Q3 2023Variance $ thousands%Products94,092113,270-19,178-16.9%Services45,91648,863-2947-6.0%Total revenue140,008162,133-22,125-13.7%3D printing innovations during Q4 2024During the fourth quarter, Stratasys announced a novel 3D printing developments. For instance, Stratasys introduced the TechStyle Fabric Alignment Station as part of its 3DFashion platform, aimed at improving precision in high-end fashion manufacturing.Designed to work with the J850 TechStyle 3D printer, the system automates the alignment of 3D designs on pre-existing fabric patterns, addressing challenges associated with manual placement. Reducing material waste and lowering production costs, the Fabric Alignment Station also allows designers to accurately position complex prints on garment areas such as pockets and patches with minimal labor.A Stratasys J850 TechStyle Solution with the new Fabric Alignment Station Photo via Business Wire.On the materials front, the OEM introduced SAF ReLife, a software-based solution designed to convert waste PA12 powder from powder bed fusion (PBF) 3D printing into reusable material for producing parts. Supporting high-speed sintering, selective laser sintering (SLS), and jetting, the system enables repurposed powder to be used on the Stratasys H350 printer.A Fraunhofer IPA Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) found that incorporating recycled PA12 can lower the carbon footprint of 3D printing by up to 89% when powered by renewable energy. Having been beta tested by Wehl Green, a 3D printing service provider, the platform resulted in a 20% cost reduction per part and significantly reduced material waste.Who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?All the news fromFormnext 2024.To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows Stratasys at Formnext 2024. Photo via Stratasys.Ada ShaikhnagWith a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.

TriMech Group, an industrial solutions provider specializing in advanced manufacturing technologies, has committed a 2 million investment to expand 3DPRINTUKs 3D printing capacity. 3DPRINTUK, a prominent UK-based service provider in additive manufacturing, is set to upgrade its production capabilities by increasing its HP Multi Jet Fusion system fleet from five to eight. The first phase of the expansion boosts capacity by 60% with the installation of three new HP 5210 PRO systems, addressing rising market demand while preserving competitive lead times.Close-up view of HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printed parts. Image via 3DPRINTUK.The capacity increase will deliver immediate cost benefits to customers. Production costs for MJF Nylon PA12 parts are expected to drop by an average of 20%, with specific geometries and larger order quantities realizing reductions of up to 50%. Effective immediately, the expanded capacity will also enable increased discounts for higher volumes and ensure rapid turnaround times, reinforcing large-scale additive manufacturing as a viable alternative to traditional methods. These cost improvements are underpinned by the in-house RAMP Calibration System, which analyzes thousands of data points over extended operational cycles to secure layer-to-layer precision and uphold strict quality control. Nick Allen, CEO of 3DPRINTUK, explained, Weve tackled the challenge of scaling without sacrificing quality head-on. Alan Sampson, Group CEO of TriMech, added, This is a major step towards making AM a mainstream solution for mass production further closing the gap between injection moulding and production-ready additive manufacturing.Phase two of the expansion, scheduled for early 2025, will introduce further operational enhancements and additional capacity increases. This measured expansion reflects a strategic move toward decentralized and sustainable 3D printing. Enhanced quality control measures and reduced production costs may facilitate a transition away from conventional injection moulding in certain applications. Looking ahead, industry stakeholders will monitor how these improvements impact broader production models across sectors that require both flexibility and rapid iteration. 3DPRINTUKs continued evolution may serve as a bellwether for the future of large-scale additive manufacturing in the UK.3DPRINTUK logo. Image via 3DPRINTUK.3D Printings Role in UKA report from the National Engineering Policy Centre highlights the UKs dependence on imported critical materials such as lithium, magnesium, and rare earth elements. Supply chain disruptions and projected shortages are raising concerns over economic security and the feasibility of achieving net-zero targets. The report calls for policies that enhance recycling, improve material traceability, and promote a circular economy to reduce reliance on global suppliers. It also proposes reducing the size of electric vehicle batteries to lower lithium demand, preventing unnecessary mineral extraction, and developing digital tracking systems for monitoring material consumption. Without intervention, the UK risks continued exposure to price volatility and supply constraints, affecting industries reliant on scarce materials.The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) released a UK-focused industry roadmap outlining the strategic role of additive manufacturing in aerospace.The document projects a tenfold increase in domestically produced 3D printed aircraft components by 2030, emphasizing the need to move beyond research applications and into full-scale production. 3D printing is identified as a key enabler for reducing part weight, improving fuel efficiency, and consolidating complex assemblies into single components. Major aerospace manufacturers are already integrating additive manufacturing into critical engine and structural components, reinforcing its potential to enhance UK supply chain resilience while meeting sustainability objectives.Rendering of an aircraft with Aerospace Technology Institute livery. Image via the ATI.Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows 3DPRINTUK logo. Image via 3DPRINTUK.