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Tesla Inc boss Elon Musk emerged victorious on Friday from a closely watched defamation trial as a federal court jury swiftly rejected the $190 million claim brought against him by a British cave explorer who Musk had branded a "pedo guy" on Twitter.

The unanimous verdict by a panel of five women and three men was returned after roughly 45 minutes of deliberation on the fourth day of Musk's trial. Legal experts believe it was the first major defamation lawsuit brought by a private individual over remarks on Twitter to be decided by a jury.

The outcome was a triumph for Musk, whose mercurial behaviour in a number of instances last year came under close scrutiny from federal regulators and shareholders of Tesla, his Silicon Valley-based electric car manufacturer.

The jury's decision signals a higher legal threshold for challenging potentially libellous Twitter comments, said L. Lin Wood, the high-profile trial lawyer who led the legal team for the plaintiff, Vernon Unsworth.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk wins case over 'Pedo Guy' tweet

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"This verdict puts everyone's reputation at risk," Wood told reporters after the verdict was announced.

Other lawyers specializing in defamation agreed the verdict reflects how the freewheeling nature of social media has altered understandings of what distinguishes libel punishable in court from casual rhetoric and hyperbole protected as free speech.

Musk, 48, who had testified during the first two days of the trial in his own defence and returned to court on Friday to hear closing arguments, exited the courtroom after the verdict and said: "My faith in humanity is restored."

'Take it on the chin'

Outside the courthouse, Unsworth, 64, said he was resigned to his defeat. "I accept the jury's verdict, take it on the chin and get on with my life."

Wood said his client went "toe to toe with a billionaire bully," echoing a phrase from his summation earlier in court, and indicated to reporters that an appeal was doubtful.

"It's not the verdict we wanted. But it's the end of the road and we now close this chapter," Wood said.

He said he nevertheless saw the lawsuit as meaningful in helping erase the stain he said Unsworth's reputation suffered.

During the course of the trial, Musk testified under oath that his use of the term "pedo guy" - slang for paedophile - was never meant to be taken literally, and he apologised to Unsworth for the comment from the witness stand.

The case stems from a public quarrel between Musk and Unsworth, a British diver who lives part-time in Thailand and gained fame for his leading role in coordinating the successful rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in that country in July 2018.

Unsworth had chided Musk in a CNN interview for delivering a mini-submarine, which was never used, to the site of the Tham Luang Nang Non-cave system. Unsworth called Musk's intervention a "PR" stunt and said the high-tech entrepreneur should "stick his submarine where it hurts."

Three tweets

Musk responded two days later on Twitter with three posts that became the basis of the defamation case. The first questioned Unsworth's role in the rescue, while the second said, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."

The third tweet, in reply to a follower who asked Musk about the second tweet, said, "Bet ya a signed dollar it's true."

Wood said during his summation that Musk's tweets were akin to a "nuclear bomb" that would overshadow Unsworth's relationships and job prospects for years to come and urged jurors to teach the Tesla chief executive and SpaceX founder a lesson by awarding Unsworth $190 million, including $150 million in punitive damages.

Two days earlier, under questioning on the witness stand, Musk had estimated his net worth at $20 billion.

But the jury was apparently swayed by the arguments put forth by Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, who said the tweets in question amounted to an off-hand insult in the midst of an argument, which no one could be expected to take seriously.

"In arguments you insult people," he said. "No bomb went off."

The defence also said Unsworth failed to demonstrate any harm from the Twitter comments and even tried to profit from his role in the rescue, which won him plaudits from the Thai and British governments.

US District Judge Stephen Wilson had said the case hinged on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's Twitter statements to mean he was actually calling Unsworth a paedophile.

To win, Unsworth needed to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part, a high standard in defamation cases, did not need to be proven since the judge deemed Unsworth a private individual, not a public figure.

The trial revived discussion of Musk’s erratic behaviour in 2018, when he used Twitter to float a leveraged buyout proposal for Tesla that was scuttled, ultimately paying $20 million to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint.

For most of 2019, Musk, who has nearly 30 million Twitter followers, has largely kept his public comments focused on Tesla’s new models and improved profitability and on the technical progress of his aerospace company, SpaceX.

Tesla Inc boss Elon Musk emerged victorious on Friday from a closely watched defamation trial as a federal court jury swiftly rejected the $190 million claim brought against him by a British cave explorer who Musk had branded a "pedo guy" on Twitter.

Tesla Inc boss Elon Musk emerged victorious on Friday from a closely watched defamation trial as a federal court jury swiftly rejected the $190 million claim brought against him by a British cave explorer who Musk had branded a "pedo guy" on Twitter. The unanimous verdict by a panel of five women and three men was returned after roughly 45 minutes of deliberation on the fourth day of Musk's trial. Legal experts believe it was the first major defamation lawsuit brought by a private individual over remarks on Twitter to be decided by a jury. The outcome was a triumph for Musk, whose mercurial behaviour in a number of instances last year came under close scrutiny from federal regulators and shareholders of Tesla, his Silicon Valley-based electric car manufacturer. The jury's decision signals a higher legal threshold for challenging potentially libellous Twitter comments, said L. Lin Wood, the high-profile trial lawyer who led the legal team for the plaintiff, Vernon Unsworth. Watch: Elon Musk wins case over 'Pedo Guy' tweet × "This verdict puts everyone's reputation at risk," Wood told reporters after the verdict was announced. Other lawyers specializing in defamation agreed the verdict reflects how the freewheeling nature of social media has altered understandings of what distinguishes libel punishable in court from casual rhetoric and hyperbole protected as free speech. Musk, 48, who had testified during the first two days of the trial in his own defence and returned to court on Friday to hear closing arguments, exited the courtroom after the verdict and said: "My faith in humanity is restored." 'Take it on the chin' Outside the courthouse, Unsworth, 64, said he was resigned to his defeat. "I accept the jury's verdict, take it on the chin and get on with my life." Wood said his client went "toe to toe with a billionaire bully," echoing a phrase from his summation earlier in court, and indicated to reporters that an appeal was doubtful. "It's not the verdict we wanted. But it's the end of the road and we now close this chapter," Wood said. He said he nevertheless saw the lawsuit as meaningful in helping erase the stain he said Unsworth's reputation suffered. During the course of the trial, Musk testified under oath that his use of the term "pedo guy" - slang for paedophile - was never meant to be taken literally, and he apologised to Unsworth for the comment from the witness stand. The case stems from a public quarrel between Musk and Unsworth, a British diver who lives part-time in Thailand and gained fame for his leading role in coordinating the successful rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in that country in July 2018. Unsworth had chided Musk in a CNN interview for delivering a mini-submarine, which was never used, to the site of the Tham Luang Nang Non-cave system. Unsworth called Musk's intervention a "PR" stunt and said the high-tech entrepreneur should "stick his submarine where it hurts." Three tweets Musk responded two days later on Twitter with three posts that became the basis of the defamation case. The first questioned Unsworth's role in the rescue, while the second said, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it." The third tweet, in reply to a follower who asked Musk about the second tweet, said, "Bet ya a signed dollar it's true." Wood said during his summation that Musk's tweets were akin to a "nuclear bomb" that would overshadow Unsworth's relationships and job prospects for years to come and urged jurors to teach the Tesla chief executive and SpaceX founder a lesson by awarding Unsworth $190 million, including $150 million in punitive damages. Two days earlier, under questioning on the witness stand, Musk had estimated his net worth at $20 billion. But the jury was apparently swayed by the arguments put forth by Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, who said the tweets in question amounted to an off-hand insult in the midst of an argument, which no one could be expected to take seriously. "In arguments you insult people," he said. "No bomb went off." The defence also said Unsworth failed to demonstrate any harm from the Twitter comments and even tried to profit from his role in the rescue, which won him plaudits from the Thai and British governments. US District Judge Stephen Wilson had said the case hinged on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's Twitter statements to mean he was actually calling Unsworth a paedophile. To win, Unsworth needed to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part, a high standard in defamation cases, did not need to be proven since the judge deemed Unsworth a private individual, not a public figure. The trial revived discussion of Musk’s erratic behaviour in 2018, when he used Twitter to float a leveraged buyout proposal for Tesla that was scuttled, ultimately paying $20 million to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint. For most of 2019, Musk, who has nearly 30 million Twitter followers, has largely kept his public comments focused on Tesla’s new models and improved profitability and on the technical progress of his aerospace company, SpaceX.

Tesla boss Elon Musk wins defamation trial over his 'pedo guy' tweet

Major win for Tesla CEO Elon Musk in defamation case. To know more watch the video

Elon Musk wins case over 'Pedo Guy' tweet

The&nbsp;British&nbsp;cave explorer suing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-due-back-on-witness-stand-in-defamation-trial-stemming-from-tweets-266207">Elon&nbsp;Musk</a>&nbsp;for calling him a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pedo-guy-tweet-not-meant-to-be-taken-literally-elon-musk-266052">"pedo guy"</a> on Twitter testified on Thursday that his criticism of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/musk-suggests-tesla-has-200000-orders-for-cybertruck-264354">Tesla Inc</a> chief executive that led to the tweet was not a personal attack.

In the&nbsp;defamation&nbsp;trial's third day, Vernon Unsworth also refused to apologize for a July 13, 2018, CNN interview in which he said that&nbsp;Musk's offer of a mini-submarine to help rescue a boys' soccer team&nbsp;from&nbsp;a flooded Thailand cave was a "PR stunt" and&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;could "stick his submarine where it hurts."

"My insult was to the tube and not to Mr.&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;personally," Unsworth said while being cross-examined by Bill Price, one of&nbsp;Musk's lawyers. "I'm not sure how I need to apologize. It was my opinion at the time and I stand by that opinion."

Unsworth's lawsuit focuses on three&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;tweets on July 15, 2018, five days after the&nbsp;diver&nbsp;helped complete the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach&nbsp;from&nbsp;the cave.

Musk's first tweet questioned Unsworth's role in the rescue, while the second said, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it." The third tweet, in response to a follower who asked&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;about the second tweet, said: "Bet ya a signed dollar it's true."

Unsworth, 64, said the tweets harmed his reputation by branding him a pedophile and a liar and said on Wednesday they left him "humiliated, ashamed, dirtied."

His lawsuit seeks unspecified damages&nbsp;from&nbsp;Musk, who told the court this week his net worth is around $20 billion.

Legal experts are closely watching the case because it is believed to be the first major&nbsp;defamation&nbsp;lawsuit brought by a private individual to go to&nbsp;trial&nbsp;over a tweet.

Musk, 48, who was questioned throughout the afternoon on Tuesday by Unsworth's lawyer, has maintained his composure. He apologized to Unsworth and suggested to jurors the stress of working 80 to 100 hours a week during a challenging period for Tesla contributed to the outburst.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations Friday after Judge Stephen Wilson formally instructs them before the two sides give closing arguments. Wilson rejected a motion&nbsp;from&nbsp;Musk's lawyers to dismiss the case.

The Unsworth&nbsp;trial&nbsp;has revived discussion of&nbsp;Musk’s erratic behavior during 2018 when he also used Twitter to float a leveraged buyout proposal for Tesla that was scuttled and ultimately led to&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;paying $20 million to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint.

For most of this year, however,&nbsp;Musk, who has nearly 30 million Twitter followers, has largely kept his public comments focused on Tesla’s new models and improved profitability and on the technical progress of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/spacex-hails-revolution-after-recycled-rocket-launch-landing-14001">SpaceX</a>.

Musk's lawyers on Thursday tried to weaken the&nbsp;defamation&nbsp;argument, suggesting Unsworth's reputation was unsullied and that he even tried to profit&nbsp;from&nbsp;his role in the rescue, which won him plaudits&nbsp;from&nbsp;the Thai and&nbsp;British&nbsp;governments.

Asked if there was talk of his being a pedophile at a 10 Downing Street event where he stood next to Theresa May, then Britain's prime minister, Unsworth said: "Not that I recall."

Unsworth's legal team called expert witness Jim Jansen who said the&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;tweets were disseminated widely in the news media - 490 English language articles in 33 countries.

They also called Unsworth's estranged wife who gave him a character endorsement, despite the fact that Unsworth is living with his girlfriend part of the time in Thailand.

The "pedo-guy" tweet was "totally false", she said.

In his own testimony,&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;dismissed his tweets as an "off the cuff" response to watching a replay of Unsworth's CNN interview, at a time he felt overworked&nbsp;from&nbsp;running Tesla, which makes electric cars, and SpaceX, a rocket company that offered the mini-submarine.

To win his lawsuit, Unsworth needs to show&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified him and caused him harm. He does not need to show that&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;acted with "actual malice," which is much tougher to prove.

The British cave explorer suing Elon Musk for calling him a "pedo guy" on Twitter testified on Thursday that his criticism of the Tesla Inc chief executive that led to the tweet was not a personal attack.

The British cave explorer suing Elon Musk for calling him a "pedo guy" on Twitter testified on Thursday that his criticism of the Tesla Inc chief executive that led to the tweet was not a personal attack. In the defamation trial's third day, Vernon Unsworth also refused to apologize for a July 13, 2018, CNN interview in which he said that Musk's offer of a mini-submarine to help rescue a boys' soccer team from a flooded Thailand cave was a "PR stunt" and Musk could "stick his submarine where it hurts." "My insult was to the tube and not to Mr. Musk personally," Unsworth said while being cross-examined by Bill Price, one of Musk's lawyers. "I'm not sure how I need to apologize. It was my opinion at the time and I stand by that opinion." Unsworth's lawsuit focuses on three Musk tweets on July 15, 2018, five days after the diver helped complete the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from the cave. Musk's first tweet questioned Unsworth's role in the rescue, while the second said, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it." The third tweet, in response to a follower who asked Musk about the second tweet, said: "Bet ya a signed dollar it's true." Unsworth, 64, said the tweets harmed his reputation by branding him a pedophile and a liar and said on Wednesday they left him "humiliated, ashamed, dirtied." His lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Musk, who told the court this week his net worth is around $20 billion. Legal experts are closely watching the case because it is believed to be the first major defamation lawsuit brought by a private individual to go to trial over a tweet. Musk, 48, who was questioned throughout the afternoon on Tuesday by Unsworth's lawyer, has maintained his composure. He apologized to Unsworth and suggested to jurors the stress of working 80 to 100 hours a week during a challenging period for Tesla contributed to the outburst. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations Friday after Judge Stephen Wilson formally instructs them before the two sides give closing arguments. Wilson rejected a motion from Musk's lawyers to dismiss the case. The Unsworth trial has revived discussion of Musk’s erratic behavior during 2018 when he also used Twitter to float a leveraged buyout proposal for Tesla that was scuttled and ultimately led to Musk paying $20 million to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint. For most of this year, however, Musk, who has nearly 30 million Twitter followers, has largely kept his public comments focused on Tesla’s new models and improved profitability and on the technical progress of SpaceX. Musk's lawyers on Thursday tried to weaken the defamation argument, suggesting Unsworth's reputation was unsullied and that he even tried to profit from his role in the rescue, which won him plaudits from the Thai and British governments. Asked if there was talk of his being a pedophile at a 10 Downing Street event where he stood next to Theresa May, then Britain's prime minister, Unsworth said: "Not that I recall." Unsworth's legal team called expert witness Jim Jansen who said the Musk tweets were disseminated widely in the news media - 490 English language articles in 33 countries. They also called Unsworth's estranged wife who gave him a character endorsement, despite the fact that Unsworth is living with his girlfriend part of the time in Thailand. The "pedo-guy" tweet was "totally false", she said. In his own testimony, Musk dismissed his tweets as an "off the cuff" response to watching a replay of Unsworth's CNN interview, at a time he felt overworked from running Tesla, which makes electric cars, and SpaceX, a rocket company that offered the mini-submarine. To win his lawsuit, Unsworth needs to show Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified him and caused him harm. He does not need to show that Musk acted with "actual malice," which is much tougher to prove.

No apology to Elon Musk from British diver at 'pedo guy' defamation trial

High-tech entrepreneur <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-trial-in-us-court-over-pedo-guy-tweet-266004">Elon Musk</a> testified at his defamation trial on Tuesday that his "pedo guy" Twitter message at the centre of the case was not meant to be taken literally and was sent in response to an "unprovoked" insult he received from the man now suing him.

Musk, 48, the billionaire chief executive of electric carmaker Tesla Inc&nbsp;and founder of the rocket company SpaceX, also apologized to the plaintiff from the witness stand in the packed Los Angeles courtroom.

Musk was the first witness called to testify in the lawsuit brought against him by British cave diver who gained fame for his lead role in the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year.

The diver, Vernon Unsworth, has accused Musk of falsely labelling him a paedophile on Twitter and is seeking unspecified punitive and other money damages.

The case stems from an offer Musk made to furnish a mini-submarine to assist in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave rescue in July 2018.

Unsworth told CNN on July 13, 2018, three days after the rescue was successfully completed, that Musk's offer was a "PR stunt" and that Musk should "stick his submarine where it hurts."

Two days later, Musk lashed out at Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which called the cave diver a "pedo guy." Musk later apologized for the comment, saying the term was a common insult in South Africa where he grew up.

Unsworth has called the slur a lie that harmed his reputation.

'Random, creepy guy'

Under questioning from Unsworth's lawyer, after five women and three men were seated as jurors in the case, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-trial-in-us-court-over-pedo-guy-tweet-266004">Musk insisted the tweet in question</a> was his reaction to "an unprovoked attack on what was a good-natured attempt to help the kids.”

"It was wrong and insulting, and so I insulted him back," Musk said of his exchange with Unsworth, adding, "I thought he was just some random creepy guy” and was "unrelated to the rescue."

Pressed further by the plaintiff's attorney Lin Wood, Musk testified he did not mean for his tweet about Unsworth to be taken literally.

"I assume he did not mean to sodomise me with a submarine ... Just as I didn't literally mean he was a paedophile," he said.

"I apologised in a tweet and again in the (pretrial) deposition, and I'll say it again,&nbsp;I apologise to Mr&nbsp;Unsworth," Musk said looking directly at the plaintiff, who sat stone-faced through Musk's testimony.

Musk was expected to return to the witness stand on Wednesday for more questioning by his own lawyers.

US&nbsp;District Judge Stephen Wilson has explained the case hinges on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's Twitter statement to mean that he was calling Unsworth a paedophile.

To win the defamation case, Unsworth needs to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part does not need to be proven because the judge has deemed Unsworth a private individual rather than a public figure.

Although the case does not involve&nbsp;Tesla, Musk's Twitter habits have long been under close scrutiny, with investors and regulators expressing concerns about his tweets.

With 29.8 million followers, Musk's Twitter account is a major source of publicity for his Palo Alto, California-based electric car company, which does not advertise.

Wood, representing Unsworth, tried to establish that Musk knew he had a high degree of influence with his Twitter followers and the public, and that the veracity of what he said thus carried significant weight.

“People say a lot of things on Twitter that aren’t true,” Musk said.

Musk also acknowledged under oath that he was duped out of $52,000 by a man posing as a private detective to dig up information about Unsworth after it became clear a defamation suit was in the works. The investigator proved to be a con artist, Musk testified.

In an opening statement, lawyer Taylor Wilson, another member of Unsworth's legal team, said the tweet in question was more than a slip-up, and Musk had no business branding Unsworth a predator "in what should have been one of the proudest moments of his life."

Musk lawyer Alex Spiro countered that Unsworth did not act after the tweet like a man who suffered because of it.

"The plaintiff is saying he has been horribly damaged, and deserves money," Spiro said. "He doesn't."

High-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk testified at his defamation trial on Tuesday that his "pedo guy" Twitter message at the centre of the case was not meant to be taken literally and was sent in response to an "unprovoked" insult he received from the man now suing him.

High-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk testified at his defamation trial on Tuesday that his "pedo guy" Twitter message at the centre of the case was not meant to be taken literally and was sent in response to an "unprovoked" insult he received from the man now suing him. Musk, 48, the billionaire chief executive of electric carmaker Tesla Inc and founder of the rocket company SpaceX, also apologized to the plaintiff from the witness stand in the packed Los Angeles courtroom. Musk was the first witness called to testify in the lawsuit brought against him by British cave diver who gained fame for his lead role in the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year. The diver, Vernon Unsworth, has accused Musk of falsely labelling him a paedophile on Twitter and is seeking unspecified punitive and other money damages. The case stems from an offer Musk made to furnish a mini-submarine to assist in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave rescue in July 2018. Unsworth told CNN on July 13, 2018, three days after the rescue was successfully completed, that Musk's offer was a "PR stunt" and that Musk should "stick his submarine where it hurts." Two days later, Musk lashed out at Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which called the cave diver a "pedo guy." Musk later apologized for the comment, saying the term was a common insult in South Africa where he grew up. Unsworth has called the slur a lie that harmed his reputation. 'Random, creepy guy' Under questioning from Unsworth's lawyer, after five women and three men were seated as jurors in the case, Musk insisted the tweet in question was his reaction to "an unprovoked attack on what was a good-natured attempt to help the kids.” "It was wrong and insulting, and so I insulted him back," Musk said of his exchange with Unsworth, adding, "I thought he was just some random creepy guy” and was "unrelated to the rescue." Pressed further by the plaintiff's attorney Lin Wood, Musk testified he did not mean for his tweet about Unsworth to be taken literally. "I assume he did not mean to sodomise me with a submarine ... Just as I didn't literally mean he was a paedophile," he said. "I apologised in a tweet and again in the (pretrial) deposition, and I'll say it again, I apologise to Mr Unsworth," Musk said looking directly at the plaintiff, who sat stone-faced through Musk's testimony. Musk was expected to return to the witness stand on Wednesday for more questioning by his own lawyers. US District Judge Stephen Wilson has explained the case hinges on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's Twitter statement to mean that he was calling Unsworth a paedophile. To win the defamation case, Unsworth needs to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part does not need to be proven because the judge has deemed Unsworth a private individual rather than a public figure. Although the case does not involve Tesla, Musk's Twitter habits have long been under close scrutiny, with investors and regulators expressing concerns about his tweets. With 29.8 million followers, Musk's Twitter account is a major source of publicity for his Palo Alto, California-based electric car company, which does not advertise. Wood, representing Unsworth, tried to establish that Musk knew he had a high degree of influence with his Twitter followers and the public, and that the veracity of what he said thus carried significant weight. “People say a lot of things on Twitter that aren’t true,” Musk said. Musk also acknowledged under oath that he was duped out of $52,000 by a man posing as a private detective to dig up information about Unsworth after it became clear a defamation suit was in the works. The investigator proved to be a con artist, Musk testified. In an opening statement, lawyer Taylor Wilson, another member of Unsworth's legal team, said the tweet in question was more than a slip-up, and Musk had no business branding Unsworth a predator "in what should have been one of the proudest moments of his life." Musk lawyer Alex Spiro countered that Unsworth did not act after the tweet like a man who suffered because of it. "The plaintiff is saying he has been horribly damaged, and deserves money," Spiro said. "He doesn't."

'Pedo guy' tweet not meant to be taken literally: Elon Musk

Tesla Chief Executive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pedo-guy-tweet-not-meant-to-be-taken-literally-elon-musk-266052">Elon Musk</a> was due to resume testifying in his own defense on Wednesday at the trial for a defamation lawsuit filed by a British diver whom the Silicon Valley billionaire called "pedo guy" on Twitter.

Musk, the 48-year-old South African-born entrepreneur, apologized for the tweet during his first day on the witness stand in US&nbsp;District Court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, saying he was responding to an "unprovoked" insult by plaintiff Vernon Unsworth.

Unsworth was leading a rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year when he mocked Musk's offer of a mini-submersible as a public relations stunt in an interview on CNN, adding that the Tesla Inc founder should "stick his submarine where it hurts."

"I assume he did not mean to sodomize me with a submarine. ... Just as I didn't literally mean he was a pedophile," Musk said from the witness stand under questioning by Unsworth's attorney, Lin Wood.

Unsworth is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from Musk, who also founded rocket company SpaceX, saying the false claims that he is a pedophile harmed his reputation.

Musk was called to testify on Tuesday by the plaintiff's lawyers after a jury was selected in the high-profile case and lawyers for both sides delivered opening statements.

US&nbsp;District Judge Stephen Wilson has said the case hinges on whether a reasonable person would take <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-trial-in-us-court-over-pedo-guy-tweet-266004">Musk's tweet</a> to mean that he was calling Unsworth a pedophile.

To win the defamation case, Unsworth needs to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part does not need to be proven because the judge has deemed Unsworth a private individual, not a public figure.

Although the case does not involve&nbsp;Tesla, Musk's Twitter habits have long been under close scrutiny, with the company's investors and regulators expressing concerns about his tweets.

With 29.8 million followers, Musk's social media account is a major source of publicity for his Palo Alto, California-based electric car company, which does not advertise.

In his opening statement, Unsworth attorney Taylor Wilson said the tweet was more than a slip-up, and Musk had wrongly branded Unsworth a predator "in what should have been one of the proudest moments of his life."

Musk lawyer Alex Spiro countered that Unsworth did not act after the tweet like a man who suffered because of it.

"The plaintiff is saying he has been horribly damaged, and deserves money," Spiro said. "He doesn't."

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk was due to resume testifying in his own defense on Wednesday at the trial for a defamation lawsuit filed by a British diver whom the Silicon Valley billionaire called "pedo guy" on Twitter.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk was due to resume testifying in his own defense on Wednesday at the trial for a defamation lawsuit filed by a British diver whom the Silicon Valley billionaire called "pedo guy" on Twitter. Musk, the 48-year-old South African-born entrepreneur, apologized for the tweet during his first day on the witness stand in US District Court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, saying he was responding to an "unprovoked" insult by plaintiff Vernon Unsworth. Unsworth was leading a rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year when he mocked Musk's offer of a mini-submersible as a public relations stunt in an interview on CNN, adding that the Tesla Inc founder should "stick his submarine where it hurts." "I assume he did not mean to sodomize me with a submarine. ... Just as I didn't literally mean he was a pedophile," Musk said from the witness stand under questioning by Unsworth's attorney, Lin Wood. Unsworth is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from Musk, who also founded rocket company SpaceX, saying the false claims that he is a pedophile harmed his reputation. Musk was called to testify on Tuesday by the plaintiff's lawyers after a jury was selected in the high-profile case and lawyers for both sides delivered opening statements. US District Judge Stephen Wilson has said the case hinges on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's tweet to mean that he was calling Unsworth a pedophile. To win the defamation case, Unsworth needs to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part does not need to be proven because the judge has deemed Unsworth a private individual, not a public figure. Although the case does not involve Tesla, Musk's Twitter habits have long been under close scrutiny, with the company's investors and regulators expressing concerns about his tweets. With 29.8 million followers, Musk's social media account is a major source of publicity for his Palo Alto, California-based electric car company, which does not advertise. In his opening statement, Unsworth attorney Taylor Wilson said the tweet was more than a slip-up, and Musk had wrongly branded Unsworth a predator "in what should have been one of the proudest moments of his life." Musk lawyer Alex Spiro countered that Unsworth did not act after the tweet like a man who suffered because of it. "The plaintiff is saying he has been horribly damaged, and deserves money," Spiro said. "He doesn't."

Elon Musk due back on witness stand in defamation trial stemming from tweets

Potential jurors in the defamation trial of high-tech entrepreneur <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-back-on-twitter-after-break-260218">Elon Musk</a> may be excused from the case if they voice strong feelings about billionaires or people who visit Thailand.

Jury selection was set to begin on Tuesday in the civil suit brought against the Tesla Inc chief executive by a British cave explorer who gained fame for his leading role in the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year.

The explorer, Vernon Unsworth, says the billionaire, who also founded private rocket company SpaceX, falsely labelled him "pedo guy" on Twitter and should pay punitive and other damages for harming his reputation.

At a pretrial hearing on Monday, US&nbsp;District Judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles ruled on several procedural matters and went over ground rules with attorneys for both sides, including the list of questions he will pose during jury selection.

In addition to relatively standard queries such as "Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit," the judge said he would ask prospective jurors some questions unique to the Musk case, including: "Do you have a strong opinion about billionaires?" and "Do you have strong opinions of people who visit or live in Thailand?"

Although an affirmative answer does not necessarily ensure that a potential juror would be excused, such questions are designed to discern an individual's ability to be impartial.

The judge will empanel six to 12 jurors, though Wilson said he finds an eight-member panel to be ideal. Opening statements are expected to begin right after jury selection finishes on Tuesday.

Musk is slated to be the first witness for the plaintiff's team once testimony begins.

The case stems from an offer Musk made to furnish a mini-submarine from his SpaceX company to help with the cave rescue in July 2018.

Unsworth told CNN on July 13, 2018, three days after the rescue was completed, that the offer was a "PR stunt" and that Musk could "stick his submarine where it hurts."

Two days later, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tries-off-hand-humour-again-compares-queen-elizabeth-ii-to-teletubbies-240678">Musk lashed out at Unsworth</a> in a series of tweets, including one which called him a "pedo guy." Musk later apologized for that comment.

The judge explained the case hinges on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's Twitter statement to mean that he was calling Unsworth a paedophile.

To win the defamation case, Unsworth needs to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part does not need to be proven because the judge has deemed Unsworth a private individual rather than a public figure.

Although the case does not involve&nbsp;Tesla, Musk's Twitter habits have long been under close scrutiny, with investors and regulators expressing concerns about his tweets.

With 29.8 million followers, Musk's Twitter account is a major source of publicity for his Palo Alto, California-based electric car company, which does not advertise.

On Monday, the judge refused a defence request to reverse a decision allowing Unsworth's attorneys to introduce an email Musk sent to the news website BuzzFeed in which Musk chided a reporter there to "stop defending child rapists."

Wilson also refused to reverse a ruling that bars plaintiff's lawyers from introducing Musk's financial statements, after defence attorneys acknowledged in court that their client has publicly put his net worth at $20 billion.

Potential jurors in the defamation trial of high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk may be excused from the case if they voice strong feelings about billionaires or people who visit Thailand.

Potential jurors in the defamation trial of high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk may be excused from the case if they voice strong feelings about billionaires or people who visit Thailand. Jury selection was set to begin on Tuesday in the civil suit brought against the Tesla Inc chief executive by a British cave explorer who gained fame for his leading role in the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year. The explorer, Vernon Unsworth, says the billionaire, who also founded private rocket company SpaceX, falsely labelled him "pedo guy" on Twitter and should pay punitive and other damages for harming his reputation. At a pretrial hearing on Monday, US District Judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles ruled on several procedural matters and went over ground rules with attorneys for both sides, including the list of questions he will pose during jury selection. In addition to relatively standard queries such as "Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit," the judge said he would ask prospective jurors some questions unique to the Musk case, including: "Do you have a strong opinion about billionaires?" and "Do you have strong opinions of people who visit or live in Thailand?" Although an affirmative answer does not necessarily ensure that a potential juror would be excused, such questions are designed to discern an individual's ability to be impartial. The judge will empanel six to 12 jurors, though Wilson said he finds an eight-member panel to be ideal. Opening statements are expected to begin right after jury selection finishes on Tuesday. Musk is slated to be the first witness for the plaintiff's team once testimony begins. The case stems from an offer Musk made to furnish a mini-submarine from his SpaceX company to help with the cave rescue in July 2018. Unsworth told CNN on July 13, 2018, three days after the rescue was completed, that the offer was a "PR stunt" and that Musk could "stick his submarine where it hurts." Two days later, Musk lashed out at Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which called him a "pedo guy." Musk later apologized for that comment. The judge explained the case hinges on whether a reasonable person would take Musk's Twitter statement to mean that he was calling Unsworth a paedophile. To win the defamation case, Unsworth needs to show that Musk was negligent in publishing a falsehood that clearly identified the plaintiff and caused him harm. "Actual malice" on Musk's part does not need to be proven because the judge has deemed Unsworth a private individual rather than a public figure. Although the case does not involve Tesla, Musk's Twitter habits have long been under close scrutiny, with investors and regulators expressing concerns about his tweets. With 29.8 million followers, Musk's Twitter account is a major source of publicity for his Palo Alto, California-based electric car company, which does not advertise. On Monday, the judge refused a defence request to reverse a decision allowing Unsworth's attorneys to introduce an email Musk sent to the news website BuzzFeed in which Musk chided a reporter there to "stop defending child rapists." Wilson also refused to reverse a ruling that bars plaintiff's lawyers from introducing Musk's financial statements, after defence attorneys acknowledged in court that their client has publicly put his net worth at $20 billion.

Elon Musk's jury to be queried on opinions of billionaires, visitors to Thailand

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-apologises-to-british-thai-cave-rescuer-after-calling-him-pedo-152580">12 boys and their soccer coach</a> from a cave in Thailand in July last year.

Musk has now-deleted the tweet which described Unsworth as a “pedo guy” for which Unsworth is now seeking punitive and compensatory damages for harming his reputation.&nbsp;

The trial which begins on Tuesday before US district judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles. It will&nbsp;last for five days. The row started after Musk offered a SpaceX mini-submarine to help with the rescue mission of kids trapped in a cave in Thailand, to which Unsworth gave a statement to CNN on July 13, 2018, claiming it was a “PR stunt”.

Two days later, Musk took to Twitter to lash out against Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which said, “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."

When questioned about the accusations Musk replied with “bet ya a signed dollar it's true,” all of which were later deleted. Musk later sent out a tweet expressing apology after Tesla’s stock price dipped by as much as 4 per cent.&nbsp;

“His actions against me do not justify my actions against him...spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness and according to specifications from the dive team leader,” Musk tweeted.&nbsp;

Judge Wilson earlier denied Musk’s legal team’s request to define Unsworth as a “public figure” due to which Unsworth does not have to provide proof that Musk acted with “actual malice”, lowering the bar necessary to win the case.&nbsp;

Unsworth now only needs to prove negligence on Musk’s side and not an actual intent to defame. Unsworth is required to prove Musk’s comments to be false and that people believed them to be true.&nbsp;

Musk is expected to testify in his own defence with his legal team insisting on not making any out-of-court settlements. “Pedo guy was a common insult used in South Africa when I was growing up,” &nbsp;said Musk in a court filing, which was claimed to be “offensive to the truth” by Unsworth’s legal team.&nbsp;

"It is synonymous with ‘creepy old man’ and is used to insult a person’s appearance and demeanour, not accuse a person of paedophilia,” according to the Tesla chief.

Musk’s legal team has claimed that the tweets were Musk’s opinion, not a statement of fact, and also that Unsworth aimed to gain profit from his role in the rescue mission.&nbsp;

The team also claims that Unsworth’s comments to CNN implying that Musk did not care about the lives of the trapped boys provoked Musk’s response.&nbsp;

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in Thailand in July last year.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a cave in Thailand in July last year. Musk has now-deleted the tweet which described Unsworth as a “pedo guy” for which Unsworth is now seeking punitive and compensatory damages for harming his reputation. The trial which begins on Tuesday before US district judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles. It will last for five days. The row started after Musk offered a SpaceX mini-submarine to help with the rescue mission of kids trapped in a cave in Thailand, to which Unsworth gave a statement to CNN on July 13, 2018, claiming it was a “PR stunt”. Two days later, Musk took to Twitter to lash out against Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which said, “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it." When questioned about the accusations Musk replied with “bet ya a signed dollar it's true,” all of which were later deleted. Musk later sent out a tweet expressing apology after Tesla’s stock price dipped by as much as 4 per cent. “His actions against me do not justify my actions against him...spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness and according to specifications from the dive team leader,” Musk tweeted. Judge Wilson earlier denied Musk’s legal team’s request to define Unsworth as a “public figure” due to which Unsworth does not have to provide proof that Musk acted with “actual malice”, lowering the bar necessary to win the case. Unsworth now only needs to prove negligence on Musk’s side and not an actual intent to defame. Unsworth is required to prove Musk’s comments to be false and that people believed them to be true. Musk is expected to testify in his own defence with his legal team insisting on not making any out-of-court settlements. “Pedo guy was a common insult used in South Africa when I was growing up,” said Musk in a court filing, which was claimed to be “offensive to the truth” by Unsworth’s legal team. "It is synonymous with ‘creepy old man’ and is used to insult a person’s appearance and demeanour, not accuse a person of paedophilia,” according to the Tesla chief. Musk’s legal team has claimed that the tweets were Musk’s opinion, not a statement of fact, and also that Unsworth aimed to gain profit from his role in the rescue mission. The team also claims that Unsworth’s comments to CNN implying that Musk did not care about the lives of the trapped boys provoked Musk’s response.

Elon Musk on trial in US court over ‘pedo guy’ tweet

The CEO of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/musk-suggests-tesla-has-200000-orders-for-cybertruck-264354">Tesla</a> and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from the Tham Luang Nang Non <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thailand-cave-rescue-the-survival-story-of-2018-186098">cave in Thailand</a> in July 2018.

Musk in a now-deleted tweet had described Unsworth as a “pedo guy” for which Unsworth is now seeking punitive and compensatory damages for harming his reputation.&nbsp;

The trial which begins on Tuesday before US District Judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles is set to last for five days.&nbsp;

The row started with Musk offering a SpaceX mini-submarine to help with the rescue mission in Thailand, to which Unsworth gave a statement to CNN on July 13, 2018, claiming it to be&nbsp; “PR stunt” and that Musk could “stick his submarine where it hurts."

Two days later, Musk took to Twitter to lash out against Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which said, “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."

When questioned about the accusations Musk replied with “bet ya a signed dollar it's true,” all of which were later deleted.&nbsp;

Musk later sent out a tweet expressing apology after Tesla’s stock price dipped by as much as 4 per cent.&nbsp;

“His actions against me do not justify my actions against him...spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness and according to specifications from the dive team leader,” Musk tweeted.&nbsp;

Judge Wilson earlier denied Musk’s legal team’s request to define Unsworth as a “public figure” due to which Unsworth does not have to provide proof that Musk acted with “actual malice”, lowering the bar necessary to win the case.&nbsp;

Unsworth now only needs to prove negligence on Musk’s side and not an actual intent to defame. Unsworth is required to prove Musk’s comments to be false and that people believed them to be true.&nbsp;

Musk is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/musk-to-testify-in-own-defense-in-defamation-trial-his-lawyer-says-264544">expected to testify</a> in his own defence with his legal team insisting on not making any out-of-court settlements.&nbsp;

“Pedo guy was a common insult used in South Africa when I was growing up,”&nbsp; said Musk in a court filing in an attempt to have the case thrown out of court, which was claimed to be “offensive to the truth” by Unsworth’s legal team.&nbsp;

"It is synonymous with ‘creepy old man’ and is used to insult a person’s appearance and demeanour, not accuse a person of paedophilia.”

Musk’s legal team has claimed that the tweets were Musk’s opinion, not a statement of fact, and also that Unsworth aimed to gain profit from his role in the rescue mission.&nbsp;

The team also claims that Unsworth’s comments to CNN implying that Musk did not care about the lives of the trapped boys provoked Musk’s response.&nbsp;

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand in July 2018.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, is due to take the stand to go on trial for a defamation suit filed against him by Vernon Unsworth, British cave explorer who helped with the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand in July 2018. Musk in a now-deleted tweet had described Unsworth as a “pedo guy” for which Unsworth is now seeking punitive and compensatory damages for harming his reputation. The trial which begins on Tuesday before US District Judge Stephen Wilson in Los Angeles is set to last for five days. The row started with Musk offering a SpaceX mini-submarine to help with the rescue mission in Thailand, to which Unsworth gave a statement to CNN on July 13, 2018, claiming it to be “PR stunt” and that Musk could “stick his submarine where it hurts." Two days later, Musk took to Twitter to lash out against Unsworth in a series of tweets, including one which said, “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it." When questioned about the accusations Musk replied with “bet ya a signed dollar it's true,” all of which were later deleted. Musk later sent out a tweet expressing apology after Tesla’s stock price dipped by as much as 4 per cent. “His actions against me do not justify my actions against him...spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness and according to specifications from the dive team leader,” Musk tweeted. Judge Wilson earlier denied Musk’s legal team’s request to define Unsworth as a “public figure” due to which Unsworth does not have to provide proof that Musk acted with “actual malice”, lowering the bar necessary to win the case. Unsworth now only needs to prove negligence on Musk’s side and not an actual intent to defame. Unsworth is required to prove Musk’s comments to be false and that people believed them to be true. Musk is expected to testify in his own defence with his legal team insisting on not making any out-of-court settlements. “Pedo guy was a common insult used in South Africa when I was growing up,” said Musk in a court filing in an attempt to have the case thrown out of court, which was claimed to be “offensive to the truth” by Unsworth’s legal team. "It is synonymous with ‘creepy old man’ and is used to insult a person’s appearance and demeanour, not accuse a person of paedophilia.” Musk’s legal team has claimed that the tweets were Musk’s opinion, not a statement of fact, and also that Unsworth aimed to gain profit from his role in the rescue mission. The team also claims that Unsworth’s comments to CNN implying that Musk did not care about the lives of the trapped boys provoked Musk’s response.

Elon Musk to go to court in defamation trial over ‘pedo guy’ tweet

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tesla-suffer-mishap-during-launch-of-electric-cybertruck-263848">Tesla Inc</a> Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk<a> </a>indicated in a tweet on Sunday that the electric carmaker received 200,000 orders for its electric pickup truck within three days of its launch.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tesla-cybertruck-orders-near-150000-just-days-after-chaotic-lau">Musk</a>, who has been regularly tweeting about the Cybertruck's features since its launch late Thursday, has also been updating his followers with the number of orders the company has received.

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200k
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1198788116372344832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In an earlier tweet, Musk said the company had received 146,000 orders for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/built-for-bullets-smashed-by-a-ball-look-at-tesla-cybertrucks-epic-fail-moment-263864">Cybertruck</a> and tweeted again on Sunday saying "200K" - an apparent reference to the number of orders.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/built-for-bullets-smashed-by-a-ball-look-at-tesla-cybertrucks-epic-fail-moment-263864/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The company's website shows that an immediate payment of $100 is required to reserve an order for the Cybertruck, which has a starting price of $39,900.

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Cybertruck is our last product unveil for a while, but there will be some (mostly) unexpected technology announcements next year
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1198723473708699648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The launch of its futuristic pickup on Thursday suffered a setback when the electric vehicle's "armored glass" windows shattered in a much-anticipated unveiling. The overall look of the electric vehicle had worried Wall Street on Friday, driving the automaker's shares to close 6.1 per cent&nbsp;lower.

During the launch, Musk had taken aim at the design, power, and durability of mainstream trucks, only to be shaken when he boasts about his new vehicle's windows backfired.

Separately, Musk said the Cybertruck is Tesla's last product unveil for a while.

Tesla plans to start manufacturing the Cybertruck around late-2021.

Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk indicated in a tweet on Sunday that the electric carmaker received 200,000 orders for its electric pickup truck within three days of its launch.

Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk indicated in a tweet on Sunday that the electric carmaker received 200,000 orders for its electric pickup truck within three days of its launch. Musk, who has been regularly tweeting about the Cybertruck's features since its launch late Thursday, has also been updating his followers with the number of orders the company has received. 200k — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2019 × In an earlier tweet, Musk said the company had received 146,000 orders for Cybertruck and tweeted again on Sunday saying "200K" - an apparent reference to the number of orders. Watch Video: The company's website shows that an immediate payment of $100 is required to reserve an order for the Cybertruck, which has a starting price of $39,900. Cybertruck is our last product unveil for a while, but there will be some (mostly) unexpected technology announcements next year — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2019 × The launch of its futuristic pickup on Thursday suffered a setback when the electric vehicle's "armored glass" windows shattered in a much-anticipated unveiling. The overall look of the electric vehicle had worried Wall Street on Friday, driving the automaker's shares to close 6.1 per cent lower. During the launch, Musk had taken aim at the design, power, and durability of mainstream trucks, only to be shaken when he boasts about his new vehicle's windows backfired. Separately, Musk said the Cybertruck is Tesla's last product unveil for a while. Tesla plans to start manufacturing the Cybertruck around late-2021.

Musk indicates Tesla has 200,000 orders for Cybertruck

Tesla's new electric pickup truck has secured almost 150,000 orders, the company's chief executive Elon Musk boasted on Twitter, just two days after its big reveal went embarrassingly wrong.

Tesla's new electric pickup truck has secured almost 150,000 orders, the company's chief executive Elon Musk boasted on Twitter, just two days after its big reveal went embarrassingly wrong. The billionaire Tesla co-founder floundered on stage in California on Thursday when the vehicle's armored glass windows cracked in a demonstration intended to prove their indestructible design. Shares in the company plunged 6.1 percent following the truck's bumpy launch and several lackluster reviews. But on Saturday Musk tweeted that Tesla had already received 146,000 orders from prospective owners. "146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri & 17% single motor," he wrote. The demand comes despite the product receiving "no advertising & no paid endorsement". The industrial-looking Cybertruck is covered in the same steel alloy Musk plans to use for his SpaceX Starship rocket and will be able to go from 0 to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour in about three seconds, the Tesla chief executive claimed in his presentation. He said the entry-level model will have a starting price of $39,900 and a 400-kilometer (250-mile) range, while a deluxe option will be able to travel twice the distance and will sell for $69,900. No date has been given for its release, but analysts said it would not be ready before the end of 2021 at the earliest. Its space-age design is unlikely to challenge top-selling models by Ford and other conventional car companies, analysts warn.

Tesla cybertruck orders near 150,000 just days after chaotic launch

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/teslas-musk-greenlights-einhorn-taunt-each-other-on-twitter-261007">Tesla&nbsp;Inc</a> on Thursday unveiled its&nbsp;first&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;truck, delivering on a promise by Chief Executive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-unveils-chip-allowing-brain-computer-communication-237060">Elon Musk</a> to build an&nbsp;electric&nbsp;version of America's favourite vehicle and one that threatens the heart of Detroit automakers' profits.

At a launch event in Los Angeles,&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;Chief Executive Elon Musk said the&nbsp;truck, which looked liked a futuristic armoured vehicle, will have a starting price of $39,900 and a maximum range of 500 plus miles.

"We need sustainable energy now. If we don't have a&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;truck&nbsp;we can't solve it. The top three&nbsp;selling vehicles in America are&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;trucks. To solve sustainable energy, we have to have a&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;truck," he said.

Production is expected to begin in late 2021.

Musk earlier tweeted the design was partly influenced by the Lotus Esprit sportscar that doubled as a submarine in the 1970s 007 films "The Spy Who Loved Me".

The&nbsp;truck&nbsp;marks the&nbsp;first&nbsp;foray by&nbsp;Tesla, whose Model 3 sedan is the world's top-selling battery-electric&nbsp;car, into&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;trucks, a market dominated by Ford Motor Co's F-150, along with models by General Motors Co, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.

The&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;shifts&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;more toward&nbsp;trucks and SUVs. The automaker has so far sold mostly Model S and Model 3 sedans, but also offers the Model X SUV and starting next year the Model Y compact SUV.

A focus on the high-performance end of the market is only natural given the success of Ford's 450-horsepower F-150 Raptor&nbsp;truck, which launched in 2009 and whose sales have since risen annually, according to Ford spokesman Mike Levine.

While Ford does not disclose Raptor sales, Levine said annual demand is well above 19,000 vehicles and the number&nbsp;2 US&nbsp;automaker has never&nbsp;had to offer incentives on the model, which costs in the high $60,000 range. Ford also offers the more expensive F-150 Limited, its most powerful and luxurious&nbsp;pickup.

Ford and GM are also gearing up to challenge&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;more directly with new offerings like the Ford Mustang Mach E&nbsp;electric&nbsp;SUV as well as&nbsp;electric&nbsp;pickups.

Electric&nbsp;pickups and SUVs could help <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/box-office-ford-v-ferrari-races-to-first-place-charlies-angels-collapses-262840">Ford </a>and GM generate the significant EV sales they will need to meet tougher emission standards and EV mandates in California and other states.

The Trump administration is moving to roll back those standards, but&nbsp;electric&nbsp;trucks are a hedge if California prevails.

Demand for full-size&nbsp;electric&nbsp;pickup&nbsp;trucks in the near term may not be huge, however.

Industry tracking firm IHS Markit estimates the&nbsp;electric&nbsp;truck&nbsp;segment - both full- and mid-sized models - will account for about 75,000 sales in 2026, compared with an expected 3 million light&nbsp;trucks overall. The&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;truck&nbsp;is not part of that estimate.

Tesla Inc on Thursday unveiled its first pickup truck, delivering on a promise by Chief Executive Elon Musk to build an electric version of America's favourite vehicle and one that threatens the heart of Detroit automakers' profits.

Tesla Inc on Thursday unveiled its first pickup truck, delivering on a promise by Chief Executive Elon Musk to build an electric version of America's favourite vehicle and one that threatens the heart of Detroit automakers' profits. At a launch event in Los Angeles, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said the truck, which looked liked a futuristic armoured vehicle, will have a starting price of $39,900 and a maximum range of 500 plus miles. "We need sustainable energy now. If we don't have a pickup truck we can't solve it. The top three selling vehicles in America are pickup trucks. To solve sustainable energy, we have to have a pickup truck," he said. Production is expected to begin in late 2021. Musk earlier tweeted the design was partly influenced by the Lotus Esprit sportscar that doubled as a submarine in the 1970s 007 films "The Spy Who Loved Me". The truck marks the first foray by Tesla, whose Model 3 sedan is the world's top-selling battery-electric car, into pickup trucks, a market dominated by Ford Motor Co's F-150, along with models by General Motors Co, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV. The pickup shifts Tesla more toward trucks and SUVs. The automaker has so far sold mostly Model S and Model 3 sedans, but also offers the Model X SUV and starting next year the Model Y compact SUV. A focus on the high-performance end of the market is only natural given the success of Ford's 450-horsepower F-150 Raptor truck, which launched in 2009 and whose sales have since risen annually, according to Ford spokesman Mike Levine. While Ford does not disclose Raptor sales, Levine said annual demand is well above 19,000 vehicles and the number 2 US automaker has never had to offer incentives on the model, which costs in the high $60,000 range. Ford also offers the more expensive F-150 Limited, its most powerful and luxurious pickup. Ford and GM are also gearing up to challenge Tesla more directly with new offerings like the Ford Mustang Mach E electric SUV as well as electric pickups. Electric pickups and SUVs could help Ford and GM generate the significant EV sales they will need to meet tougher emission standards and EV mandates in California and other states. The Trump administration is moving to roll back those standards, but electric trucks are a hedge if California prevails. Demand for full-size electric pickup trucks in the near term may not be huge, however. Industry tracking firm IHS Markit estimates the electric truck segment - both full- and mid-sized models - will account for about 75,000 sales in 2026, compared with an expected 3 million light trucks overall. The Tesla truck is not part of that estimate.

Tesla unveils first-ever electric pickup truck

Built for bullets, smashed by a ball! Look at Tesla Cybertruck's epic fail moment

Look at Tesla Cybertruck's epic fail moment

Elon&nbsp;Musk, who garnered attention for quitting Twitter last week, is back on the social platform, with little explanation for the hiatus or the return.

The chief executive of electric automaker Tesla, as well as the private space firm SpaceX, was tweeting late Monday to congratulate the crew of the free-flying spacecraft Dragon.

"SpaceX team has completed 13 successful tests in a row of upgraded Mark 3 parachutes for Crew Dragon,"&nbsp;Musk&nbsp;wrote. "Most recent tests demonstrated the parachute system's ability to land the spacecraft safely in the unlikely event that one of the four main parachutes fails."

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Great work by SpaceX Dragon team &amp; Airborne! To be clear, we’ve only done 1 multi-parachute test of Mk3 design, so 9 more left to reach 10 successful tests in a row. <a href="https://t.co/Q814zVoW4S">https://t.co/Q814zVoW4S</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1191475073758064640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Last Friday he appeared to leave the messaging service on which he has some 29 million followers, writing simply, "Not sure about good of Twitter," and then saying "Going offline."

He has not elaborated about leaving or returning to Twitter.

Musk&nbsp;has found himself in hot water in recent months over his Twitter remarks.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission which accused him of misleading Tesla investors on the platform, resulting in a court settlement requiring him to step down as chairman of the auto firm.

Musk&nbsp;also is being sued for defamation by a man who helped in the dramatic rescue of 12 boys trapped in an underwater cave in Thailand last year following his tweet calling the British caver a "pedo guy."

Elon Musk, who garnered attention for quitting Twitter last week, is back on the social platform, with little explanation for the hiatus or the return. The chief executive of electric automaker Tesla, as well as the private space firm SpaceX, was tweeting late Monday to congratulate the crew of the free-flying spacecraft Dragon.

Elon Musk, who garnered attention for quitting Twitter last week, is back on the social platform, with little explanation for the hiatus or the return. The chief executive of electric automaker Tesla, as well as the private space firm SpaceX, was tweeting late Monday to congratulate the crew of the free-flying spacecraft Dragon. "SpaceX team has completed 13 successful tests in a row of upgraded Mark 3 parachutes for Crew Dragon," Musk wrote. "Most recent tests demonstrated the parachute system's ability to land the spacecraft safely in the unlikely event that one of the four main parachutes fails." Great work by SpaceX Dragon team & Airborne! To be clear, we’ve only done 1 multi-parachute test of Mk3 design, so 9 more left to reach 10 successful tests in a row. https://t.co/Q814zVoW4S — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2019 × Last Friday he appeared to leave the messaging service on which he has some 29 million followers, writing simply, "Not sure about good of Twitter," and then saying "Going offline." He has not elaborated about leaving or returning to Twitter. Musk has found himself in hot water in recent months over his Twitter remarks. The US Securities and Exchange Commission which accused him of misleading Tesla investors on the platform, resulting in a court settlement requiring him to step down as chairman of the auto firm. Musk also is being sued for defamation by a man who helped in the dramatic rescue of 12 boys trapped in an underwater cave in Thailand last year following his tweet calling the British caver a "pedo guy."

Elon Musk back on Twitter after break

Tesla Inc&nbsp;on Wednesday surprised investors with a quarterly profit that sent its shares soaring, as Chief Executive Elon Musk promised a 2020 rollout of a cheaper SUV and more self-driving technology to stay ahead of larger rivals rushing into the premium electric vehicle market he created.

Shares rose nearly 21 per cent&nbsp;to $307.12 after hours on the unexpected news, crossing $300 for the first time since March 1 after record deliveries and cost cuts ensured a profitable third quarter.

Tesla on Wednesday posted a cash balance increase to $5.3 billion and reported a profit of $1.86 per share, shattering analyst expectations for a loss of 42 cents per share.

The third-quarter results are an important milestone for Tesla and redemption for Musk who had to step down as chairman after a series of scandals and investor doubts about Tesla's ability to withstand competition from larger, better capitalized global rivals.

Tesla's gross margins, an important profit indicator for investors, surpassed expectations and Tesla said it was "highly confident" in exceeding the low end of its yearly global vehicle delivery goal.

But Tesla has yet to prove that it can be consistently profitable while managing the start of production for Model 3 sedans at its new factory in Shanghai and for Model Y sport utilities next year.

"Given the breakneck speed of expansion, Tesla will face significant demands on its cash pile," said Nicholas Hyett, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

The company on Wednesday said production in Shanghai and for Model&nbsp;Y is ahead of schedule, with the latter expected to launch by the summer of 2020.

Tesla also has to contain costs as it develops a gigafactory in Europe, a Semi truck, an electric pickup truck, a new generation of the Tesla Roadster and automated driving features.

The carmaker said it had cut costs 16 per cent&nbsp;on a yearly basis, citing improvements in operating efficiency and a reduction in manufacturing and material costs. Musk said on a conference call that operating costs were the lowest since Model 3 production started.

Margin expectations are higher for Model Y than Model 3, while productions costs are roughly the same as Model 3, said Zach Kirkhorn, Tesla chief financial officer.

Model 3 vehicles made in the Shanghai factory will have roughly the same margins as those made in Fremont, California, he said.

Tesla also expects to generally be cash-flow positive as it has grown to the point of being self-funding.&nbsp;

That will allow the company to invest in divisions focusing on sustainable energy, including launching the third version of its solar roof tile this week.

"For about a year and a half we stripped Tesla energy of resources," Musk said. "Now that Model 3 production is in a good place and headed to a great place we have restored resources to Tesla storage and solar. That's going to be really crazy growth."

Musk also said Tesla is open to supplying batteries and other components to other automakers.

With Wednesday's after-hours surge, Tesla's stock has reduced its loss year-to-date to 8 per cent&nbsp;and added about $9 billion to its market capitalization.

But Tesla rallies have been short-lived before.

A year ago, Tesla gave a quarterly report that similarly smashed investors' expectations, igniting a rally that sent its shares 31 per cent&nbsp;higher over the next two months, only to see the stock decline through much of 2019 over worries about corporate governance, profitability and demand for the Model 3.&nbsp;

Investors in the past have shown impatience with the company's serial failures to meet financial and production targets. Earlier this month, Tesla shares slumped after the company reported delivering 97,000 vehicles for the third quarter, only 2 per cent&nbsp;ahead of the previous quarter.

But Tesla on Wednesday exceeded promises by billionaire Musk, who in July said Tesla would break even in the third quarter and turn a profit by the end of 2019.

The company has said it plans to deliver 360,000 to 400,000 vehicles for all of 2019, and on Wednesday said it was "highly confident in exceeding 360,000 deliveries this year."

Analysts have questioned how rapidly Tesla's vehicle sales will grow as government subsidies for electric vehicle purchases dwindle in the United States, China and other markets.

Kirkhorn on Wednesday said Tesla saw growing order rates in all markets, with current quarter orders exceeding those of the past three months.

Tesla has said it aims to produce at least 1,000 Model 3 cars a week at the new Chinese factory by the end of this year, but it is unclear when it will meet year-end production targets due to uncertainties around orders, labour and suppliers.

Revenue fell nearly 8 per cent&nbsp;to $6.30 billion in the quarter ended September&nbsp;30. Analysts had expected revenue of $6.33 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Tesla on Wednesday said it would gradually release nearly $500 million of accumulated revenue tied to its "full self-driving capabilities", which customers can buy for $6,000 even though fully automated driving is not available.

Kirkhorn on Wednesday said deferred revenue would also be released as Tesla expands its "Smart Summon" feature, which allows customers to operate a Tesla from 200 feet&nbsp;away using a smartphone app.

Federal safety regulators are looking into the feature after videos began appearing online showing driverless Teslas hitting obstacles or nearly hitting other vehicles.

Musk on Wednesday said software updates over the coming weeks would improve Summon.

Tesla Inc on Wednesday surprised investors with a quarterly profit that sent its shares soaring, as Chief Executive Elon Musk promised a 2020 rollout of a cheaper SUV and more self-driving technology to stay ahead of larger rivals rushing into the premium electric vehicle market he created.

Tesla Inc on Wednesday surprised investors with a quarterly profit that sent its shares soaring, as Chief Executive Elon Musk promised a 2020 rollout of a cheaper SUV and more self-driving technology to stay ahead of larger rivals rushing into the premium electric vehicle market he created. Shares rose nearly 21 per cent to $307.12 after hours on the unexpected news, crossing $300 for the first time since March 1 after record deliveries and cost cuts ensured a profitable third quarter. Tesla on Wednesday posted a cash balance increase to $5.3 billion and reported a profit of $1.86 per share, shattering analyst expectations for a loss of 42 cents per share. The third-quarter results are an important milestone for Tesla and redemption for Musk who had to step down as chairman after a series of scandals and investor doubts about Tesla's ability to withstand competition from larger, better capitalized global rivals. Tesla's gross margins, an important profit indicator for investors, surpassed expectations and Tesla said it was "highly confident" in exceeding the low end of its yearly global vehicle delivery goal. But Tesla has yet to prove that it can be consistently profitable while managing the start of production for Model 3 sedans at its new factory in Shanghai and for Model Y sport utilities next year. "Given the breakneck speed of expansion, Tesla will face significant demands on its cash pile," said Nicholas Hyett, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. The company on Wednesday said production in Shanghai and for Model Y is ahead of schedule, with the latter expected to launch by the summer of 2020. Tesla also has to contain costs as it develops a gigafactory in Europe, a Semi truck, an electric pickup truck, a new generation of the Tesla Roadster and automated driving features. The carmaker said it had cut costs 16 per cent on a yearly basis, citing improvements in operating efficiency and a reduction in manufacturing and material costs. Musk said on a conference call that operating costs were the lowest since Model 3 production started. Margin expectations are higher for Model Y than Model 3, while productions costs are roughly the same as Model 3, said Zach Kirkhorn, Tesla chief financial officer. Model 3 vehicles made in the Shanghai factory will have roughly the same margins as those made in Fremont, California, he said. Tesla also expects to generally be cash-flow positive as it has grown to the point of being self-funding. That will allow the company to invest in divisions focusing on sustainable energy, including launching the third version of its solar roof tile this week. "For about a year and a half we stripped Tesla energy of resources," Musk said. "Now that Model 3 production is in a good place and headed to a great place we have restored resources to Tesla storage and solar. That's going to be really crazy growth." Musk also said Tesla is open to supplying batteries and other components to other automakers. With Wednesday's after-hours surge, Tesla's stock has reduced its loss year-to-date to 8 per cent and added about $9 billion to its market capitalization. But Tesla rallies have been short-lived before. A year ago, Tesla gave a quarterly report that similarly smashed investors' expectations, igniting a rally that sent its shares 31 per cent higher over the next two months, only to see the stock decline through much of 2019 over worries about corporate governance, profitability and demand for the Model 3. Investors in the past have shown impatience with the company's serial failures to meet financial and production targets. Earlier this month, Tesla shares slumped after the company reported delivering 97,000 vehicles for the third quarter, only 2 per cent ahead of the previous quarter. But Tesla on Wednesday exceeded promises by billionaire Musk, who in July said Tesla would break even in the third quarter and turn a profit by the end of 2019. The company has said it plans to deliver 360,000 to 400,000 vehicles for all of 2019, and on Wednesday said it was "highly confident in exceeding 360,000 deliveries this year." Analysts have questioned how rapidly Tesla's vehicle sales will grow as government subsidies for electric vehicle purchases dwindle in the United States, China and other markets. Kirkhorn on Wednesday said Tesla saw growing order rates in all markets, with current quarter orders exceeding those of the past three months. Tesla has said it aims to produce at least 1,000 Model 3 cars a week at the new Chinese factory by the end of this year, but it is unclear when it will meet year-end production targets due to uncertainties around orders, labour and suppliers. Revenue fell nearly 8 per cent to $6.30 billion in the quarter ended September 30. Analysts had expected revenue of $6.33 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Tesla on Wednesday said it would gradually release nearly $500 million of accumulated revenue tied to its "full self-driving capabilities", which customers can buy for $6,000 even though fully automated driving is not available. Kirkhorn on Wednesday said deferred revenue would also be released as Tesla expands its "Smart Summon" feature, which allows customers to operate a Tesla from 200 feet away using a smartphone app. Federal safety regulators are looking into the feature after videos began appearing online showing driverless Teslas hitting obstacles or nearly hitting other vehicles. Musk on Wednesday said software updates over the coming weeks would improve Summon.

Tesla shares soar 21% as surprise profit answers sceptics

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-vaping-related-deaths-rise-to-18-illnesses-surpass-1000-253605">US </a>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it is reviewing a defect petition that claims Tesla Inc failed to issue a recall when it issued a software upgrade in 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in May.

The vehicles from 2012 through 2019 model years received a battery management software upgrade in response to a potential defect that could result in non-crash fires, the petition said, adding it believes the update reduces the driving range of the affected vehicles. NHTSA said Friday it had opened a formal review to evaluate the petition's claims.

Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In August, a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in California claiming Tesla knew batteries of some vehicles were defective and "pushed out software updates despite knowing that the class vehicles would suffer from loss in range and performance." The suit added it believes Tesla's aim is "to avoid providing warranty battery replacements to rightful customers."

The suit says Tesla has placed a software-induced limitation on the total number of usable kilo-watt hours and is limiting the ability of owners "to charge the battery cells up to the natural and normal amount of approximately 4.2 volts, by placing battery capacity limitations, by decreasing the charging speed &nbsp;and by reducing the performance in terms of speed."

The suit cites over a dozen reports of Tesla's vehicles catching fire over the past six years. Tesla has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Tesla's May 15 software update changed some settings in the cars’ battery management software related to charging and thermal controls, the suit said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating several battery fires in Tesla vehicles.

On Wednesday, NHTSA said it was looking into parking lot crashes involving Tesla cars driving themselves to their owners using the company’s Smart Summon feature.

Several users have posted videos on social media of Tesla vehicles that appear to have been in near accidents. One posted a video of a Tesla striking a garage wall and another of a Tesla being struck by a vehicle backing up.

A Tesla software update last week added its Smart Summon feature for some customers. When the car is within 200 feet and in their line of sight, they use a phone app to summon the vehicle in a parking lot.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk on Wednesday tweeted that there were more than 550,000 Smart Summon uses in the first few days.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it is reviewing a defect petition that claims Tesla Inc failed to issue a recall when it issued a software upgrade in 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in May.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it is reviewing a defect petition that claims Tesla Inc failed to issue a recall when it issued a software upgrade in 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in May. The vehicles from 2012 through 2019 model years received a battery management software upgrade in response to a potential defect that could result in non-crash fires, the petition said, adding it believes the update reduces the driving range of the affected vehicles. NHTSA said Friday it had opened a formal review to evaluate the petition's claims. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In August, a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in California claiming Tesla knew batteries of some vehicles were defective and "pushed out software updates despite knowing that the class vehicles would suffer from loss in range and performance." The suit added it believes Tesla's aim is "to avoid providing warranty battery replacements to rightful customers." The suit says Tesla has placed a software-induced limitation on the total number of usable kilo-watt hours and is limiting the ability of owners "to charge the battery cells up to the natural and normal amount of approximately 4.2 volts, by placing battery capacity limitations, by decreasing the charging speed and by reducing the performance in terms of speed." The suit cites over a dozen reports of Tesla's vehicles catching fire over the past six years. Tesla has not yet responded to the lawsuit. Tesla's May 15 software update changed some settings in the cars’ battery management software related to charging and thermal controls, the suit said. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating several battery fires in Tesla vehicles. On Wednesday, NHTSA said it was looking into parking lot crashes involving Tesla cars driving themselves to their owners using the company’s Smart Summon feature. Several users have posted videos on social media of Tesla vehicles that appear to have been in near accidents. One posted a video of a Tesla striking a garage wall and another of a Tesla being struck by a vehicle backing up. A Tesla software update last week added its Smart Summon feature for some customers. When the car is within 200 feet and in their line of sight, they use a phone app to summon the vehicle in a parking lot. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk on Wednesday tweeted that there were more than 550,000 Smart Summon uses in the first few days.

United States NHTSA reviewing claims 2,000 Tesla vehicles should have been recalled

SpaceX shows off upcoming missions

Jack Ma believes artificial intelligence poses no threat to humanity, but <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tries-off-hand-humour-again-compares-queen-elizabeth-ii-to-teletubbies-240678">Elon Musk</a> called that "famous last words" as the billionaire tech tycoons faced off Thursday in an occasionally animated debate on futurism in Shanghai.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jack-mas-669-advice-to-alibaba-employees-have-sex-six-times-in-six-days-218815">Chinese co-founder of Alibaba</a> and the maverick industrialist behind <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tries-off-hand-humour-again-compares-queen-elizabeth-ii-to-teletubbies-240678">Tesla and SpaceX</a> frequently pulled pained expressions and raised eyebrows as they kicked off an AI conference with a dialogue that challenged attendees to keep up, veering from technology to Mars, death, and jobs.

However, the hot topic in the hour-long talk was AI, which has provoked increasing concern among scientists such as late British cosmologist Stephen Hawking who warned that it will eventually turn on and "annihilate" humanity.

"Computers may be clever, but human beings are much smarter," Ma said. "We invented the computer -- I've never seen the computer invent a human being."&nbsp;

While insisting that he is "not a tech guy," the e-commerce mogul added,&nbsp;"I think AI can help us understand humans better. I don't think it's a threat."&nbsp;

Musk countered,&nbsp;"I don't know man, that's like, famous last words."&nbsp;

Watch: Artificial Intelligence Influences Dating Apps

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He said the "rate of advancement of computers, in general, is insane", sketching out a vision in which super-fast, artificially intelligent devices eventually tire of dealing with dumb, slow humans.

"The computer will just get impatient if nothing else. It will be like talking to a tree," Musk said.

Mankind's hope lies in "going along for the ride" by harnessing some of that computing power, Musk said, as he offered an unabashed plug for his Neuralink Corporation.

Neuralink aims to develop implantable brain-machine interface devices, which conjures images of "The Matrix", whose characters download software to their brains that instantly turns them into martial arts masters.

"Right now we are already a cyborg because we are so well-integrated with our phones and our computers," said Musk, 48.

"The phone is like an extension of yourself. If you forget your phone, its like a missing limb."

But humanity will also have more leisure time in the future as AI takes on much of the burden of transporting, feeding, and thinking for earthlings, said Ma.

"People could work as little as three days a week, four hours a day with the help of technology advances," he said.

Ma, 54, who steps down next month as head of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/12-hours-a-day-6-days-a-week-work-schedule-blessing-for-youngsters-jack-ma-210791">Alibaba Group</a>, questioned Musk's push to develop spacecraft that could help us colonise Mars.

"We need a hero like you, but we need more heroes like us improving things on earth," Ma said.

Musk countered that we must master interplanetary travel in case the earth becomes uninhabitable.

Scientists like Hawking have said the same, citing the risk of nuclear war, a devastating virus, global warming or asteroid collision.

But not to worry: both agreed that human mortality is a good thing as each generation brings new ideas to the global challenges we face.

"It's great to die," Ma said, with Musk adding: "That's probably true." &nbsp;

Jack Ma believes artificial intelligence poses no threat to humanity, but Elon Musk called that "famous last words" as the billionaire tech tycoons faced off Thursday in an occasionally animated debate on futurism in Shanghai.

Jack Ma believes artificial intelligence poses no threat to humanity, but Elon Musk called that "famous last words" as the billionaire tech tycoons faced off Thursday in an occasionally animated debate on futurism in Shanghai. The Chinese co-founder of Alibaba and the maverick industrialist behind Tesla and SpaceX frequently pulled pained expressions and raised eyebrows as they kicked off an AI conference with a dialogue that challenged attendees to keep up, veering from technology to Mars, death, and jobs. However, the hot topic in the hour-long talk was AI, which has provoked increasing concern among scientists such as late British cosmologist Stephen Hawking who warned that it will eventually turn on and "annihilate" humanity. "Computers may be clever, but human beings are much smarter," Ma said. "We invented the computer -- I've never seen the computer invent a human being." While insisting that he is "not a tech guy," the e-commerce mogul added, "I think AI can help us understand humans better. I don't think it's a threat." Musk countered, "I don't know man, that's like, famous last words." Watch: Artificial Intelligence Influences Dating Apps × He said the "rate of advancement of computers, in general, is insane", sketching out a vision in which super-fast, artificially intelligent devices eventually tire of dealing with dumb, slow humans. "The computer will just get impatient if nothing else. It will be like talking to a tree," Musk said. Mankind's hope lies in "going along for the ride" by harnessing some of that computing power, Musk said, as he offered an unabashed plug for his Neuralink Corporation. Neuralink aims to develop implantable brain-machine interface devices, which conjures images of "The Matrix", whose characters download software to their brains that instantly turns them into martial arts masters. "Right now we are already a cyborg because we are so well-integrated with our phones and our computers," said Musk, 48. "The phone is like an extension of yourself. If you forget your phone, its like a missing limb." But humanity will also have more leisure time in the future as AI takes on much of the burden of transporting, feeding, and thinking for earthlings, said Ma. "People could work as little as three days a week, four hours a day with the help of technology advances," he said. Ma, 54, who steps down next month as head of Alibaba Group, questioned Musk's push to develop spacecraft that could help us colonise Mars. "We need a hero like you, but we need more heroes like us improving things on earth," Ma said. Musk countered that we must master interplanetary travel in case the earth becomes uninhabitable. Scientists like Hawking have said the same, citing the risk of nuclear war, a devastating virus, global warming or asteroid collision. But not to worry: both agreed that human mortality is a good thing as each generation brings new ideas to the global challenges we face. "It's great to die," Ma said, with Musk adding: "That's probably true."

Watch: Jack Ma vs Elon Musk — Tech tycoons spar on future of Artificial Intelligence

Tesla Inc CEO, Elon Musk, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd Executive Chairman, Jack Ma, took the stage at a conference in Shanghai on Thursday (August 29) in their first-ever joint appearance, discussing topics ranging from Mars to education to work hours.

Elon Musk and Jack Ma meets for the first time in Shanghai

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moving-fast-elon-musks-spacex-eyes-florida-for-launch-site-for-mars-rocket-240489">Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk</a> on Sunday sparked a controversy after he likened Queen Elizabeth II to the characters from famous British kids television programme 'Teletubbies'.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Musk posted&nbsp;an image featuring the Teletubbies characters followed by another image wherein the Queen, clad in clothes similar to the colours of Teletubbies characters, was juxtaposed in the 'Teletubbyland'.&nbsp;

Teletubbies, a British pre-school children's television series, is still being watched in many countries across the world. The original series aired between the year 1997-2001 and was revived in the year 2015.&nbsp;

Musk's tweet was met with varying responses by the Twitterati. While some asked him if it was finally the time for him to stop posting such posts, others cracked-up on his sense of humour and urged him to keep entertaining.&nbsp;

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Queen 🐝 <a href="https://t.co/InE4OIu9kL">pic.twitter.com/InE4OIu9kL</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1157972610761789441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The past week, Musk made headlines as SpaceX was reported to have been expanding its facilities in Florida to make room for the space company's forthcoming super heavy-lift launch vehicle dubbed Starship, news agency Reuters reported on Friday.

Starship, a 384-foot (117-meter) reusable two-stage rocket taller than the Statue of Liberty, is a central piece of Musk's interplanetary space travel ambitions as well as US space agency NASA's goal to send humans to the moon again by 2024.

The Starship rocket is expected to launch up to 24 times a year from SpaceX's current flagship launchpad 39A, the draft of the company's environmental assessment said. SpaceX did not specify in the report when it would reach that cadence, but Musk said in September 2018 he wanted to be conducting orbital flights with Starship in two to three years.

Last month, it was reported that Musk is aiming to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-unveils-chip-allowing-brain-computer-communication-237060">connect the human brain with a machine interface</a>. And through his start-up Neuralink, Musk aims to accomplish this "before the end of next year".

Speaking at a conference in San Francisco last month, Musk presented "version one" of his neuron-sized threads and microprocessor chips that he claims will help people with severe brain injuries and eventually grow to allow humans to&nbsp;connect with advancing artificial intelligence&nbsp;(AI) technology.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday sparked a controversy after he likened Queen Elizabeth II to the characters from famous British kids television programme 'Teletubbies'.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday sparked a controversy after he likened Queen Elizabeth II to the characters from famous British kids television programme 'Teletubbies'. In a tweet, Musk posted an image featuring the Teletubbies characters followed by another image wherein the Queen, clad in clothes similar to the colours of Teletubbies characters, was juxtaposed in the 'Teletubbyland'. Teletubbies, a British pre-school children's television series, is still being watched in many countries across the world. The original series aired between the year 1997-2001 and was revived in the year 2015. Musk's tweet was met with varying responses by the Twitterati. While some asked him if it was finally the time for him to stop posting such posts, others cracked-up on his sense of humour and urged him to keep entertaining. Queen 🐝 pic.twitter.com/InE4OIu9kL — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 4, 2019 × The past week, Musk made headlines as SpaceX was reported to have been expanding its facilities in Florida to make room for the space company's forthcoming super heavy-lift launch vehicle dubbed Starship, news agency Reuters reported on Friday. Starship, a 384-foot (117-meter) reusable two-stage rocket taller than the Statue of Liberty, is a central piece of Musk's interplanetary space travel ambitions as well as US space agency NASA's goal to send humans to the moon again by 2024. The Starship rocket is expected to launch up to 24 times a year from SpaceX's current flagship launchpad 39A, the draft of the company's environmental assessment said. SpaceX did not specify in the report when it would reach that cadence, but Musk said in September 2018 he wanted to be conducting orbital flights with Starship in two to three years. Last month, it was reported that Musk is aiming to connect the human brain with a machine interface. And through his start-up Neuralink, Musk aims to accomplish this "before the end of next year". Speaking at a conference in San Francisco last month, Musk presented "version one" of his neuron-sized threads and microprocessor chips that he claims will help people with severe brain injuries and eventually grow to allow humans to connect with advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Elon Musk tries off-hand humour again, compares Queen Elizabeth II to Teletubbies

Elon Musk's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-falcon-heavy-rocket-with-24-satellites-230260"> SpaceX</a> is expanding its facilities in Florida to make room for the space company's forthcoming super heavy-lift launch vehicle dubbed Starship, according to a draft of the plans seen by Reuters on Friday.

Starship, a 384-foot (117-meter) reusable two-stage rocket taller than the Statue of Liberty, is a central piece of Musk's interplanetary space travel ambitions as well as US space agency NASA's goal to send humans to the moon again by 2024.

The Starship rocket is expected to launch up to 24 times a year from SpaceX's current flagship launchpad 39A, the draft of the company's environmental assessment said. SpaceX did not specify in the report when it would reach that cadence, but Musk said in September 2018 he wanted to be conducting orbital flights with Starship in two to three years.

SpaceX's launchpad 39A would support NASA's future moon missions from the same Kennedy Space Centre site used for the Apollo lunar missions a half-century ago.

"They're moving very fast," said Dale Ketcham, vice president of government relations at Space Florida, the state's commercial space development agency. "This is actually getting closer to what Elon got into this business for, to begin with. This is a fundamental infrastructure to get to Mars, the early stages of it."

SpaceX has also suffered a number of programme delays and mishaps over the years on its various space endeavours. In April, one of the company's Crew Dragon capsules exploded on a test stand, raising fresh scheduling doubts over a flagship NASA astronaut taxi programme.

Dozens of US-based space companies have been scrambling to heed NASA's goal of sending humans back to the lunar surface by 2024, an accelerated timeline set by Vice President Mike Pence in March.

Separately, Boeing Co is developing NASA's colossal Space Launch System to anchor the agency's moon-to-Mars Artemis programme, though it is years behind schedule.

SpaceX said in its draft environmental assessment that Starship will make return landings on the Air Force landing pad currently used for the company's Falcon 9 boosters.

The company is also considering a plan to install another landing site at the 39A pad. The first booster stage will land on SpaceX's unmanned barge some 300 miles (482.8 km) off Florida's coast, the draft said.

This week, NASA said it plans to work with SpaceX to figure out how to land rockets on the lunar surface and develop a refuelling station for deeper space exploration.

"Orbital refilling is vital to humanity's future in space," Musk tweeted on Thursday. "More likely spacecraft to spacecraft (as aircraft do aerial refuelling), than a dedicated depot, at least at first.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is expanding its facilities in Florida to make room for the space company's forthcoming super heavy-lift launch vehicle dubbed Starship, according to a draft of the plans seen by Reuters on Friday.

Elon Musk's SpaceX is expanding its facilities in Florida to make room for the space company's forthcoming super heavy-lift launch vehicle dubbed Starship, according to a draft of the plans seen by Reuters on Friday. Starship, a 384-foot (117-meter) reusable two-stage rocket taller than the Statue of Liberty, is a central piece of Musk's interplanetary space travel ambitions as well as US space agency NASA's goal to send humans to the moon again by 2024. The Starship rocket is expected to launch up to 24 times a year from SpaceX's current flagship launchpad 39A, the draft of the company's environmental assessment said. SpaceX did not specify in the report when it would reach that cadence, but Musk said in September 2018 he wanted to be conducting orbital flights with Starship in two to three years. SpaceX's launchpad 39A would support NASA's future moon missions from the same Kennedy Space Centre site used for the Apollo lunar missions a half-century ago. "They're moving very fast," said Dale Ketcham, vice president of government relations at Space Florida, the state's commercial space development agency. "This is actually getting closer to what Elon got into this business for, to begin with. This is a fundamental infrastructure to get to Mars, the early stages of it." SpaceX has also suffered a number of programme delays and mishaps over the years on its various space endeavours. In April, one of the company's Crew Dragon capsules exploded on a test stand, raising fresh scheduling doubts over a flagship NASA astronaut taxi programme. Dozens of US-based space companies have been scrambling to heed NASA's goal of sending humans back to the lunar surface by 2024, an accelerated timeline set by Vice President Mike Pence in March. Separately, Boeing Co is developing NASA's colossal Space Launch System to anchor the agency's moon-to-Mars Artemis programme, though it is years behind schedule. SpaceX said in its draft environmental assessment that Starship will make return landings on the Air Force landing pad currently used for the company's Falcon 9 boosters. The company is also considering a plan to install another landing site at the 39A pad. The first booster stage will land on SpaceX's unmanned barge some 300 miles (482.8 km) off Florida's coast, the draft said. This week, NASA said it plans to work with SpaceX to figure out how to land rockets on the lunar surface and develop a refuelling station for deeper space exploration. "Orbital refilling is vital to humanity's future in space," Musk tweeted on Thursday. "More likely spacecraft to spacecraft (as aircraft do aerial refuelling), than a dedicated depot, at least at first.

'Moving fast': Elon Musk's SpaceX eyes Florida for launch site for Mars rocket

Elon Musk's Boring Co raised about $117 million in its latest round of funding from 20 unnamed investors after offering to sell about $120 million in equity, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday.

The company had raised $112.5 million in equity in April last year, with Musk investing 90% of the amount, as the company seeks to build underground tunnels for a hyperloop transportation project.&nbsp;

Boring Co did not provide details on the funding.

Musk, who also leads electric-car maker Tesla Inc and rocket company SpaceX, has been seeking to revolutionize transportation by sending passengers packed into pods through an intercity system of giant, underground vacuum tubes known as the hyperloop.&nbsp;

In the past, Musk has sold Boring Co's hats and flamethrowers to raise funds.&nbsp;

The company has completed its project Test Tunnel, located in Hawthorne, California, and other ongoing projects include the Chicago Express Loop and the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop.&nbsp;

Elon Musk's Boring Co raised about $117 million in its latest round of funding from 20 unnamed investors after offering to sell about $120 million in equity, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday.

Elon Musk's Boring Co raised about $117 million in its latest round of funding from 20 unnamed investors after offering to sell about $120 million in equity, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday. The company had raised $112.5 million in equity in April last year, with Musk investing 90% of the amount, as the company seeks to build underground tunnels for a hyperloop transportation project. Boring Co did not provide details on the funding. Musk, who also leads electric-car maker Tesla Inc and rocket company SpaceX, has been seeking to revolutionize transportation by sending passengers packed into pods through an intercity system of giant, underground vacuum tubes known as the hyperloop. In the past, Musk has sold Boring Co's hats and flamethrowers to raise funds. The company has completed its project Test Tunnel, located in Hawthorne, California, and other ongoing projects include the Chicago Express Loop and the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop.

Elon Musk's Boring Co raises about $117 million in latest funding round

Elon Musk is aiming to connect the human brain with a machine interface. And through his start-up Neuralink, Musk aism to accomplish this "before the end of next year".

Speaking at a conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, Musk presented "version one" of his neuron-sized threads and micro processor chips that he claims will help people with severe brain injuries and eventually grow to allow humans to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-machine-meshed-superhumans-remain-stuff-of-fantasy-say-experts-237062">connect with advancing artificial intelligence</a> (AI) technology.

"This, I think, has a very good purpose which is to cure important diseases and ultimately to help secure humanity's future as a civilization relative to A.I. The threads are very tiny and there's a lot of them and they're very carefully placed, and the operation on a per chip basis involves just a two millimetre incision, which is dilated to eight millimetres and then the chip is placed through that. It goes back to being two millimetres and you can basically glue it shut; you don't need a stitch," Musk said.

The implantation of the threads, which Musk said are a tenth the size of a human hair, require the use of a special robot, but a minimally invasive surgery.

Once the threads are implanted into the brain, their connecting chip would wirelessly connect with a device worn outside the body.

"This thing has tremendous potential and we hope to have this aspirationally in a human patient before the end of next year. So this is not far," said Musk.

Neuralink is seeking US Food and Drug Administration approval and while Musk said his preliminary task is to help people with disabilities control a smartphone with thought, the end goal is to keep up with AI.

An early focus of the team is using the technology to address brain diseases and paralysis, but the longer aim is to make implants so safe, reliable and easy that they could be elective surgery options for people seeking to enhance their brains with computing power.

Elon Musk is aiming to connect the human brain with a machine interface. And through his start-up Neuralink, Musk aism to accomplish this "before the end of next year".

Elon Musk is aiming to connect the human brain with a machine interface. And through his start-up Neuralink, Musk aism to accomplish this "before the end of next year". Speaking at a conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, Musk presented "version one" of his neuron-sized threads and micro processor chips that he claims will help people with severe brain injuries and eventually grow to allow humans to connect with advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technology. "This, I think, has a very good purpose which is to cure important diseases and ultimately to help secure humanity's future as a civilization relative to A.I. The threads are very tiny and there's a lot of them and they're very carefully placed, and the operation on a per chip basis involves just a two millimetre incision, which is dilated to eight millimetres and then the chip is placed through that. It goes back to being two millimetres and you can basically glue it shut; you don't need a stitch," Musk said. The implantation of the threads, which Musk said are a tenth the size of a human hair, require the use of a special robot, but a minimally invasive surgery. Once the threads are implanted into the brain, their connecting chip would wirelessly connect with a device worn outside the body. "This thing has tremendous potential and we hope to have this aspirationally in a human patient before the end of next year. So this is not far," said Musk. Neuralink is seeking US Food and Drug Administration approval and while Musk said his preliminary task is to help people with disabilities control a smartphone with thought, the end goal is to keep up with AI. An early focus of the team is using the technology to address brain diseases and paralysis, but the longer aim is to make implants so safe, reliable and easy that they could be elective surgery options for people seeking to enhance their brains with computing power.

Elon Musk unveils chip allowing brain-computer communication

A bold vision by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk to mesh human brains with artificial intelligence remains more science fiction than reality.

Even as Musk claimed his Neuralink startup had enabled a monkey to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-unveils-chip-allowing-brain-computer-communication-237060">control a computer with its brain</a>, experts were quick to dampen expectations for a futuristic scenario from "The Matrix" films, based on people with cybernetic implants.

Musk this week revealed his Neuralink startup is making progress on its brain-computer interface effort, and said the company hopes to begin testing on people next year.

Musk, founder of the automaker Tesla and the private space firm SpaceX, has long contended that a neural lace meshing minds with machines is vital if humans are to avoid being outpaced by artificial intelligence.

"This has a very good purpose, which is to cure important diseases and ultimately to help secure humanity's future as a civilisation relative to AI," Musk said.

He disclosed that a Neuralink implant was successfully tested in a monkey in a California university lab.

"A monkey has been able to control a computer with his brain, just FYI," Musk said, surprising the Neuralink president during a question-and-answer session.

Experts remained cautious about his vision of merging minds with super-powered computing.

Musk's description "is really an aspirational vision for something very far down the line," said University of Southern California assistant professor of biology sciences Andrew Hires.

"It is unclear if we will ever get to that stage."

Neuralink unveiled a tiny sensor with hair-thin strands that could be implanted in a brain through a small incision by a robot built for the high-precision task.

"Ultimately, we can do a full brain-machine interface," Musk said.

"Achieve a sort of symbiosis with artificial intelligence."

For now, the goal is to let a person with the implants control a smartphone with thought, but the technology could eventually extend to other devices such as robotic arms, he said.

An early focus is using the technology to address brain diseases and paralysis, but the longer aim is to make implants so safe, reliable and easy that they could be options for people seeking to enhance their brains with computing power, according to the Neuralink team.

"It is not like Neuralink will suddenly have this incredible neural lace and it will start taking over people's brains," Musk quipped.

"It will take a long time, and you will see it coming."

Musk said the goal was to make adding the brain-enhancing implants as easy a procedure as laser eye surgery.

Mystery of the mind

David Schneider, a professor at the centre for neural science at New York University, was among those who saw barriers.

A major limitation is that an array of regions of the brain are engaged for handling tasks, while implants target one part at a time.

"At the end of the day, everything we do, regardless of how simple it might seem, is a distributed brain function," Schneider said.

While technology has improved for reading information coming out of brains, it isn't up to snuff when it comes to sending it back to all the necessary parts simultaneously, according to researchers.

"They were humble enough to admit their main targets were motor areas," Ramana Vinjamuri, an engineering professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, said of Neuralink.

"I was happy they stopped there instead of claiming we are going to read your minds, your thoughts, your memories -- if they had done that I would have been laughing out loud."

Brain defences

Another challenge is that a brain implant triggers the body's defences, which treat it as alien material to be rejected.

"Say Neuralink puts it in a person tomorrow, will the interface hold up after one year and still keep giving the same signals it did day one?" Vinjamuri said.

And regulatory approval would typically require long-term testing in animals.

Neuralink could seek an "investigational device" exemption to try implants in a few patients impaired by spinal cord injuries or strokes.

"I don't know that I want to meld my brain with AI, nor do I think do many of us," said Schneider.

His hope is that Neuralink innovations could restore sight, or cure paralysis.

For now, Musk is bringing energy and private investment to a brain implant area that researchers have been working on for decades with government funding.

"We need fantastical thinkers, but we also need capital and the bravery to invest lots of capital in refining these technologies," Hires said.

A bold vision by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk to mesh human brains with artificial intelligence remains more science fiction than reality. Even as Musk claimed his Neuralink startup had enabled a monkey to control a computer with its brain, experts were quick to dampen expectations for a futuristic scenario from "The Matrix" films, based on people with cybernetic implants.

A bold vision by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk to mesh human brains with artificial intelligence remains more science fiction than reality. Even as Musk claimed his Neuralink startup had enabled a monkey to control a computer with its brain, experts were quick to dampen expectations for a futuristic scenario from "The Matrix" films, based on people with cybernetic implants. Musk this week revealed his Neuralink startup is making progress on its brain-computer interface effort, and said the company hopes to begin testing on people next year. Musk, founder of the automaker Tesla and the private space firm SpaceX, has long contended that a neural lace meshing minds with machines is vital if humans are to avoid being outpaced by artificial intelligence. "This has a very good purpose, which is to cure important diseases and ultimately to help secure humanity's future as a civilisation relative to AI," Musk said. He disclosed that a Neuralink implant was successfully tested in a monkey in a California university lab. "A monkey has been able to control a computer with his brain, just FYI," Musk said, surprising the Neuralink president during a question-and-answer session. Experts remained cautious about his vision of merging minds with super-powered computing. Musk's description "is really an aspirational vision for something very far down the line," said University of Southern California assistant professor of biology sciences Andrew Hires. "It is unclear if we will ever get to that stage." Neuralink unveiled a tiny sensor with hair-thin strands that could be implanted in a brain through a small incision by a robot built for the high-precision task. "Ultimately, we can do a full brain-machine interface," Musk said. "Achieve a sort of symbiosis with artificial intelligence." For now, the goal is to let a person with the implants control a smartphone with thought, but the technology could eventually extend to other devices such as robotic arms, he said. An early focus is using the technology to address brain diseases and paralysis, but the longer aim is to make implants so safe, reliable and easy that they could be options for people seeking to enhance their brains with computing power, according to the Neuralink team. "It is not like Neuralink will suddenly have this incredible neural lace and it will start taking over people's brains," Musk quipped. "It will take a long time, and you will see it coming." Musk said the goal was to make adding the brain-enhancing implants as easy a procedure as laser eye surgery. Mystery of the mind David Schneider, a professor at the centre for neural science at New York University, was among those who saw barriers. A major limitation is that an array of regions of the brain are engaged for handling tasks, while implants target one part at a time. "At the end of the day, everything we do, regardless of how simple it might seem, is a distributed brain function," Schneider said. While technology has improved for reading information coming out of brains, it isn't up to snuff when it comes to sending it back to all the necessary parts simultaneously, according to researchers. "They were humble enough to admit their main targets were motor areas," Ramana Vinjamuri, an engineering professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, said of Neuralink. "I was happy they stopped there instead of claiming we are going to read your minds, your thoughts, your memories -- if they had done that I would have been laughing out loud." Brain defences Another challenge is that a brain implant triggers the body's defences, which treat it as alien material to be rejected. "Say Neuralink puts it in a person tomorrow, will the interface hold up after one year and still keep giving the same signals it did day one?" Vinjamuri said. And regulatory approval would typically require long-term testing in animals. Neuralink could seek an "investigational device" exemption to try implants in a few patients impaired by spinal cord injuries or strokes. "I don't know that I want to meld my brain with AI, nor do I think do many of us," said Schneider. His hope is that Neuralink innovations could restore sight, or cure paralysis. For now, Musk is bringing energy and private investment to a brain implant area that researchers have been working on for decades with government funding. "We need fantastical thinkers, but we also need capital and the bravery to invest lots of capital in refining these technologies," Hires said.

Elon Musk's machine-meshed superhumans remain stuff of fantasy, say experts

Tesla Inc has dropped the standard-range variants of its Model X and Model S from its product lineup and adjusted prices across its range, in a sales push that comes days after the US electric vehicle maker reported record deliveries.

To simplify its offerings, the automaker on Tuesday limited variants of its Model X sport-utility vehicle and Model S sedan to "Long Range" and the more expensive "Performance". It also trimmed the price of its new entry-level Long Range variants.

The discontinuation of the standard-range variants, however, means a rise in starting prices - to $84,990 for the Model X and $79,990 for the Model S, excluding potential buying incentives.

Tesla also lowered the starting price of its mass-market Model 3 to $38,990.

"To make purchasing our vehicles even simpler, we are standardising our global vehicle lineup and streamlining the number of trim packages offered for Model S, Model X and Model 3," Tesla said in a statement.

"We are also adjusting our pricing in order to continue to improve affordability for customers."

Earlier this month, Tesla said global deliveries of its three models in the second quarter of this year rose 51% from the previous quarter to a record 95,200 vehicles. Model 3 accounted for about 80% of the total, underscoring the vehicle's role as the linchpin of Tesla's growth strategy.

The automaker said it expected production and deliveries to continue growing in Q3.

In China, the world's largest market for electric vehicles, Tesla's changes on Tuesday pushed the starting price of its Model X to 790,900 yuan ($115,068) and Model S to 776,900 yuan.

Tesla is building a factory in Shanghai where it initially plans to build Model 3 cars. It is taking orders for those China-made versions, which have a starting price of 328,000 yuan. 
&nbsp;

Tesla Inc has dropped the standard-range variants of its Model X and Model S from its product lineup and adjusted prices across its range, in a sales push that comes days after the US electric vehicle maker reported record deliveries.

Tesla Inc has dropped the standard-range variants of its Model X and Model S from its product lineup and adjusted prices across its range, in a sales push that comes days after the US electric vehicle maker reported record deliveries. To simplify its offerings, the automaker on Tuesday limited variants of its Model X sport-utility vehicle and Model S sedan to "Long Range" and the more expensive "Performance". It also trimmed the price of its new entry-level Long Range variants. The discontinuation of the standard-range variants, however, means a rise in starting prices - to $84,990 for the Model X and $79,990 for the Model S, excluding potential buying incentives. Tesla also lowered the starting price of its mass-market Model 3 to $38,990. "To make purchasing our vehicles even simpler, we are standardising our global vehicle lineup and streamlining the number of trim packages offered for Model S, Model X and Model 3," Tesla said in a statement. "We are also adjusting our pricing in order to continue to improve affordability for customers." Earlier this month, Tesla said global deliveries of its three models in the second quarter of this year rose 51% from the previous quarter to a record 95,200 vehicles. Model 3 accounted for about 80% of the total, underscoring the vehicle's role as the linchpin of Tesla's growth strategy. The automaker said it expected production and deliveries to continue growing in Q3. In China, the world's largest market for electric vehicles, Tesla's changes on Tuesday pushed the starting price of its Model X to 790,900 yuan ($115,068) and Model S to 776,900 yuan. Tesla is building a factory in Shanghai where it initially plans to build Model 3 cars. It is taking orders for those China-made versions, which have a starting price of 328,000 yuan.

Tesla drops cheapest Model X, S variants, cuts prices to simplify lineup

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 24 experimental satellites in what Elon Musk's rocket company called one of the most difficult launches it has attempted.

The craft blasted off to cheers from onlookers at 2:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) after a three-hour delay from the original launch time late Monday.

The boosters separated safely as the craft began its six-hour mission to deploy the satellites.

The two-side booster rockets returned safely to Earth, landing on adjacent Air Force landing pads, but the rocket's centre booster missed its mark, crashing in the Atlantic ocean.

Musk, who predicted trouble with landing the centre booster on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic, said on Twitter early Tuesday, "It was a long shot."

The mission, dubbed Space Test Program 2 (STP-2), is the third for the Falcon Heavy rocket, which SpaceX describes as the most powerful launch system in the world.

It was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense, the key contractor for commercial space companies such as SpaceX.

The company is putting satellites into orbit for agencies including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defence department laboratories, universities and a non-profit organisation, SpaceX said.

The mission is one of the most challenging in SpaceX history, with four separate upper-stage engine burns and three separate orbits to deploy satellites, the company said on its website.

Solar sail

The payloads on the satellites Falcon Heavy is putting into orbit include an atomic clock NASA is testing for space navigation, another testing new telescope technologies, and a solar sail project part-funded by the Planetary Society, a non-profit organisation headed by Bill Nye, "The Science Guy" on television presentations.

The LightSail is a crowdfunded project that aims to become the first spacecraft in earth orbit propelled solely by sunlight, the society, which has championed solar propulsion for decades, says on its website.

Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world "by a factor of two," SpaceX says on its website. It has the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) - more than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel.

Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973 from the same launch pad, delivered more payload to orbit, it says.

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 24 experimental satellites in what Elon Musk's rocket company called one of the most difficult launches it has attempted.

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 24 experimental satellites in what Elon Musk's rocket company called one of the most difficult launches it has attempted. The craft blasted off to cheers from onlookers at 2:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) after a three-hour delay from the original launch time late Monday. The boosters separated safely as the craft began its six-hour mission to deploy the satellites. The two-side booster rockets returned safely to Earth, landing on adjacent Air Force landing pads, but the rocket's centre booster missed its mark, crashing in the Atlantic ocean. Musk, who predicted trouble with landing the centre booster on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic, said on Twitter early Tuesday, "It was a long shot." The mission, dubbed Space Test Program 2 (STP-2), is the third for the Falcon Heavy rocket, which SpaceX describes as the most powerful launch system in the world. It was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Defense, the key contractor for commercial space companies such as SpaceX. The company is putting satellites into orbit for agencies including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defence department laboratories, universities and a non-profit organisation, SpaceX said. The mission is one of the most challenging in SpaceX history, with four separate upper-stage engine burns and three separate orbits to deploy satellites, the company said on its website. Solar sail The payloads on the satellites Falcon Heavy is putting into orbit include an atomic clock NASA is testing for space navigation, another testing new telescope technologies, and a solar sail project part-funded by the Planetary Society, a non-profit organisation headed by Bill Nye, "The Science Guy" on television presentations. The LightSail is a crowdfunded project that aims to become the first spacecraft in earth orbit propelled solely by sunlight, the society, which has championed solar propulsion for decades, says on its website. Falcon Heavy is the most powerful operational rocket in the world "by a factor of two," SpaceX says on its website. It has the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) - more than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973 from the same launch pad, delivered more payload to orbit, it says.

SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy rocket with 24 satellites

From companies building palm-sized satellites to those aiming to propel satellites into space using cleaner fuels, a new wave of space technology startups are mushrooming in India, catching the attention of investors keen to join the space race.

Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace, which wants to propel satellites into orbit using electric and non-toxic chemical thrusters, has raised $3 million from a group of investors, co-founder Yashas Karanam told Reuters.

Venture capital fund IDFC Parampara is leading Bellatrix's pre-Series A round. The family office of Suman Kant Munjal, who belongs to the billionaire family that controls Indian motorcycle maker Hero MotoCorp, and Deepika Padukone, one of Bollywood's biggest stars, are two of the other seven investors.

Meanwhile, Mumbai-based Kawa Space, which designs and operates earth observation satellites, has closed a seed round of an undisclosed amount, one of its investors, Vishesh Rajaram, managing partner at Speciale Invest, told Reuters.

Bellatrix and Kawa are two of over a dozen Indian startups developing satellites, rockets and related support systems which can power space missions serving a range of industries.

Their fundraising represents a big leap in private space investments in India, a leading space power but where the government has enjoyed a near-monopoly for decades.

"No venture capital firm which does tech investments in India has invested an amount of this size in space technology before," said Narayan Prasad, co-founder of online space products marketplace Satsearch, referring to Bellatrix's funding.

Besides Bellatrix and Kawa, seven space technology companies in India are funded, according to startup data tracker Tracxn and interviews with investors.

Space technology is red hot thanks partly to activity happening 2,000 km (1,200 miles) above the earth in the low-earth orbit, much closer and easier to reach than the geostationary orbit where many communications satellites operate.

Here, small and cheaper satellites are snapping images used in everything from crop-monitoring and geology to defence and urban planning, bringing down costs and increasing the frequency of images.

'Exciting times'

In the past five years, some two dozen Indian startups have grown into unicorns - companies with over $1 billion valuations - most betting on India's growing middle-class and the consumer boom at home.

India's space technology firms are part of a new breed of startups, and investors are paying attention, given the surging global interest in everything from space exploration to space vacations.

Satellite launches planned in the coming years worldwide give investors confidence in such companies, said Bellatrix investor Jatin Desai, whose Parampara Capital collaborated with lender IDFC to form IDFC Parampara.

"That gives us a large addressable potential market," Desai said.

Over 17,000 small satellites could be launched between 2018 and 2030, consulting firm Frost &amp; Sullivan estimates.

"There is money to be made ... These are exciting times for lots of entrepreneurs," said Rajaram, whose Speciale Invest has bet on three space startups in India.

Long gestation period

To be sure, investors aren't opening the coffers for India's space startups in large numbers just yet.

Indian venture capital firms Maple Capital, Ideaspring Capital, Bharat Innovation Fund and 3one4 Capital, say they have held talks with space startups but are taking a wait-and-watch approach.

"The gestation period is long by the time you see returns," said Naganand Doraswamy, managing partner at Ideaspring, referring to the multiple stages of development, testing and government approvals involved in space missions.

The state-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), currently preparing for its second lunar mission, has a monopoly on launching rockets in India.

Still, Indian firms are free to use ISRO's rockets or overseas launch services such as Elon Musk's SpaceX or New Zealand and Los Angeles-based Rocket Lab to send satellites to space.

Most Indian space startups are hopeful that parliament will pass a long-pending space law, which will give clarity on how private companies can operate in the sector.

The administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought suggestions from stakeholders for a draft Space Activities Bill, which it has said could "possibly" be introduced in parliament this year.

Bellatrix Aerospace's first customer is ISRO, which is also mentoring the company as it readies a water-based propellant to help manoeuvre satellites in space.

Bellatrix is not the only company racing to develop newer satellite propulsion systems, with at least three others overseas reportedly working on similar products.

The company says its systems are affordable, less toxic and much lighter, providing more room for payload on satellites. "This will be the future," co-founder Karanam said.

From companies building palm-sized satellites to those aiming to propel satellites into space using cleaner fuels, a new wave of space technology startups are mushrooming in India, catching the attention of investors keen to join the space race.

From companies building palm-sized satellites to those aiming to propel satellites into space using cleaner fuels, a new wave of space technology startups are mushrooming in India, catching the attention of investors keen to join the space race. Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace, which wants to propel satellites into orbit using electric and non-toxic chemical thrusters, has raised $3 million from a group of investors, co-founder Yashas Karanam told Reuters. Venture capital fund IDFC Parampara is leading Bellatrix's pre-Series A round. The family office of Suman Kant Munjal, who belongs to the billionaire family that controls Indian motorcycle maker Hero MotoCorp, and Deepika Padukone, one of Bollywood's biggest stars, are two of the other seven investors. Meanwhile, Mumbai-based Kawa Space, which designs and operates earth observation satellites, has closed a seed round of an undisclosed amount, one of its investors, Vishesh Rajaram, managing partner at Speciale Invest, told Reuters. Bellatrix and Kawa are two of over a dozen Indian startups developing satellites, rockets and related support systems which can power space missions serving a range of industries. Their fundraising represents a big leap in private space investments in India, a leading space power but where the government has enjoyed a near-monopoly for decades. "No venture capital firm which does tech investments in India has invested an amount of this size in space technology before," said Narayan Prasad, co-founder of online space products marketplace Satsearch, referring to Bellatrix's funding. Besides Bellatrix and Kawa, seven space technology companies in India are funded, according to startup data tracker Tracxn and interviews with investors. Space technology is red hot thanks partly to activity happening 2,000 km (1,200 miles) above the earth in the low-earth orbit, much closer and easier to reach than the geostationary orbit where many communications satellites operate. Here, small and cheaper satellites are snapping images used in everything from crop-monitoring and geology to defence and urban planning, bringing down costs and increasing the frequency of images. 'Exciting times' In the past five years, some two dozen Indian startups have grown into unicorns - companies with over $1 billion valuations - most betting on India's growing middle-class and the consumer boom at home. India's space technology firms are part of a new breed of startups, and investors are paying attention, given the surging global interest in everything from space exploration to space vacations. Satellite launches planned in the coming years worldwide give investors confidence in such companies, said Bellatrix investor Jatin Desai, whose Parampara Capital collaborated with lender IDFC to form IDFC Parampara. "That gives us a large addressable potential market," Desai said. Over 17,000 small satellites could be launched between 2018 and 2030, consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimates. "There is money to be made ... These are exciting times for lots of entrepreneurs," said Rajaram, whose Speciale Invest has bet on three space startups in India. Long gestation period To be sure, investors aren't opening the coffers for India's space startups in large numbers just yet. Indian venture capital firms Maple Capital, Ideaspring Capital, Bharat Innovation Fund and 3one4 Capital, say they have held talks with space startups but are taking a wait-and-watch approach. "The gestation period is long by the time you see returns," said Naganand Doraswamy, managing partner at Ideaspring, referring to the multiple stages of development, testing and government approvals involved in space missions. The state-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), currently preparing for its second lunar mission, has a monopoly on launching rockets in India. Still, Indian firms are free to use ISRO's rockets or overseas launch services such as Elon Musk's SpaceX or New Zealand and Los Angeles-based Rocket Lab to send satellites to space. Most Indian space startups are hopeful that parliament will pass a long-pending space law, which will give clarity on how private companies can operate in the sector. The administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought suggestions from stakeholders for a draft Space Activities Bill, which it has said could "possibly" be introduced in parliament this year. Bellatrix Aerospace's first customer is ISRO, which is also mentoring the company as it readies a water-based propellant to help manoeuvre satellites in space. Bellatrix is not the only company racing to develop newer satellite propulsion systems, with at least three others overseas reportedly working on similar products. The company says its systems are affordable, less toxic and much lighter, providing more room for payload on satellites. "This will be the future," co-founder Karanam said.

India's space startups ignite investor interest

As Maharashtra is working with Britain's Virgin Hyperloop to have trials of the Hyperloop project parallel to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a team of students from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is making rapid strides with their very own Hyperloop Pod. The team will soon be battling it out in the finals of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Challenge in California, United States.

Hyperloop is the 5th mode of transportation, a high-speed train/pod that travels in a near vacuum tube. The reduced air resistance allows the capsule inside the tube to reach more than 1000km/h. Elon Musk, founder SpaceX, proposed the idea of Hyperloop to the world in 2013 through the white paper - ‘Hyperloop Alpha’. His company SpaceX organises the Hyperloop Pod Competition to accelerate the development of functional prototypes and encourage student innovation. Finalists’ pods are required to travel at maximum speeds within the vacuum tube, the team with the fastest pod emerges winner and gets to interact with Elon Musk.&nbsp;

This year, over 1,600 teams from across the globe applied for the challenge. India's Avishkar emerged in the top 21 finalists and is the only team from Asia to do so in the 2019 edition of the competition.&nbsp;

Avishkar’s pod is indigenously designed and developed and is said to be India’s first-ever self-propelled, completely autonomous Hyperloop Pod in India.

This is the second attempt for team Avishkar that comprises of students from various science and engineering related academic backgrounds. The team had earlier applied in 2018 and failed to make it past the second round and did not qualify for the finals, said Suyash, student's head, Avishkar.&nbsp;

Speaking at the unveiling event of the Hyperloop Pod, Sivakumar, Dean of students said, “we need to thank Elon musk for making the challenge open to all and our students have taken up the challenge”.

Explaining the technology behind hyperloop he said, “current trains or buses or flights have frictional resistance and energy is wasted. Whereas magnetic levitation is to prevent friction from the ground and the vacuum tube eliminates air drag and friction. So effectively it is a train within a vacuum pipe and the train runs a few inches above the track without making contact and almost eliminating friction”.&nbsp;

"Our students are ready and they are running tests on the model and we are sure that the hard work will pay off," he added expressing optimism about the team.&nbsp;

Professor Satya Chakravarthy of the aerospace department said, our students will be going to California and as a part of the competition the pod will be run on a 1-mile long test track. Once this technology is a success it could be scaled up to 15 meters - almost the size of a bus. The team is also testing our pod at a 30-metre long test track here at the campus.

Elaborating on the specifications of the pod, the team members said that, “we came up with an electric motor called a Brushless DC motor which is small yet highly powerful and efficient. The battery connects to the motor directly without an inverter and there is no gearbox in the middle, we also tested the motors at higher than 15000RPM.”

The team uses a lightweight carbon fibre body for the chassis and a high-power battery pack that weigh less than 20 kilograms and provides over 900Amps output power. The pod uses three battery packs one each for the motors, sensors and emergency requirements.

On the road ahead for this technology, the team says that once it is proven, it could then be used as a totally revolutionary mode of transport. With adequate investment and infrastructure, it could enable travel between Chennai and Bangalore - a distance of around 500 kilometres in less than 30 minutes. Although we have developed the pod, we will also need to master the vacuum tube technology to completely indigenize it.

The 30-member team and their work has garnered attention with the central government also having sought additional project related information.

“The most basic challenge is the designing itself as Hyperloop is very new and we don’t have existing material to refer to, so we had to come up with ideas and concepts and then seek approval from the professors before going further. But we have done several tests on the prototype and are sure that we can achieve great speeds at the competition”, said Pranit Mehta head, marketing and sponsorship team.&nbsp;

After completing more rounds of tests, the team is all set to fly to California and prove their mettle when they battle it out with 20 other finalists from across the globe on July 21.

As Maharashtra is working with Britain's Virgin Hyperloop to have trials of the Hyperloop project parallel to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a team of students from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is making rapid strides with their very own Hyperloop Pod.

As Maharashtra is working with Britain's Virgin Hyperloop to have trials of the Hyperloop project parallel to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a team of students from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) is making rapid strides with their very own Hyperloop Pod. The team will soon be battling it out in the finals of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Challenge in California, United States. Hyperloop is the 5th mode of transportation, a high-speed train/pod that travels in a near vacuum tube. The reduced air resistance allows the capsule inside the tube to reach more than 1000km/h. Elon Musk, founder SpaceX, proposed the idea of Hyperloop to the world in 2013 through the white paper - ‘Hyperloop Alpha’. His company SpaceX organises the Hyperloop Pod Competition to accelerate the development of functional prototypes and encourage student innovation. Finalists’ pods are required to travel at maximum speeds within the vacuum tube, the team with the fastest pod emerges winner and gets to interact with Elon Musk. This year, over 1,600 teams from across the globe applied for the challenge. India's Avishkar emerged in the top 21 finalists and is the only team from Asia to do so in the 2019 edition of the competition. Avishkar’s pod is indigenously designed and developed and is said to be India’s first-ever self-propelled, completely autonomous Hyperloop Pod in India. This is the second attempt for team Avishkar that comprises of students from various science and engineering related academic backgrounds. The team had earlier applied in 2018 and failed to make it past the second round and did not qualify for the finals, said Suyash, student's head, Avishkar. Speaking at the unveiling event of the Hyperloop Pod, Sivakumar, Dean of students said, “we need to thank Elon musk for making the challenge open to all and our students have taken up the challenge”. Explaining the technology behind hyperloop he said, “current trains or buses or flights have frictional resistance and energy is wasted. Whereas magnetic levitation is to prevent friction from the ground and the vacuum tube eliminates air drag and friction. So effectively it is a train within a vacuum pipe and the train runs a few inches above the track without making contact and almost eliminating friction”. "Our students are ready and they are running tests on the model and we are sure that the hard work will pay off," he added expressing optimism about the team. Professor Satya Chakravarthy of the aerospace department said, our students will be going to California and as a part of the competition the pod will be run on a 1-mile long test track. Once this technology is a success it could be scaled up to 15 meters - almost the size of a bus. The team is also testing our pod at a 30-metre long test track here at the campus. Elaborating on the specifications of the pod, the team members said that, “we came up with an electric motor called a Brushless DC motor which is small yet highly powerful and efficient. The battery connects to the motor directly without an inverter and there is no gearbox in the middle, we also tested the motors at higher than 15000RPM.” The team uses a lightweight carbon fibre body for the chassis and a high-power battery pack that weigh less than 20 kilograms and provides over 900Amps output power. The pod uses three battery packs one each for the motors, sensors and emergency requirements. On the road ahead for this technology, the team says that once it is proven, it could then be used as a totally revolutionary mode of transport. With adequate investment and infrastructure, it could enable travel between Chennai and Bangalore - a distance of around 500 kilometres in less than 30 minutes. Although we have developed the pod, we will also need to master the vacuum tube technology to completely indigenize it. The 30-member team and their work has garnered attention with the central government also having sought additional project related information. “The most basic challenge is the designing itself as Hyperloop is very new and we don’t have existing material to refer to, so we had to come up with ideas and concepts and then seek approval from the professors before going further. But we have done several tests on the prototype and are sure that we can achieve great speeds at the competition”, said Pranit Mehta head, marketing and sponsorship team. After completing more rounds of tests, the team is all set to fly to California and prove their mettle when they battle it out with 20 other finalists from across the globe on July 21.

India’s 'Avishkar' is Asia's only team to qualify for SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crew-capsule-destroyed-during-april-test-accident-confirms-spacex-215535">SpaceX</a> on Thursday launched a rocket containing the first 60 satellites of its "Starlink" constellation, which is intended to provide internet from space and could one-day number 12,000 satellites.

One of the company's Falcon 9 rockets took off without incident from Cape Canaveral in Florida around 10:30 pm.

The second stage of the rocket will begin to release them one hour after launch, at an altitude of&nbsp; &nbsp;440 kilometres, and then the satellites will use their thrusters to take up their places in a relatively low orbit of 550 kilometres.

That's slightly higher than the International Space Station, but well below the majority of terrestrial satellites, the highest of which sits in a geostationary orbit of 36,000 kilometres.

The launch was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed, first due to high winds and then due to the need for a software update.

Billionaire Elon Musk's firm, which is leading the private space race when it comes to rocket launches, is now looking to seize a chunk of the future space internet market.

The launch will make it an early forerunner, along with rival OneWeb, a startup, but well ahead of Amazon's Project Kuiper, the brainchild of Musk's space rival Jeff Bezos.

Each of the satellites weighs just 227 kilograms (500 pounds) and was built in-house in Redmond, near Seattle.

Starlink will become operational once 800 satellites have been activated, which will require a dozen more launches.

SpaceX on Thursday launched a rocket containing the first 60 satellites of its "Starlink" constellation, which is intended to provide internet from space and could one-day number 12,000 satellites.

SpaceX on Thursday launched a rocket containing the first 60 satellites of its "Starlink" constellation, which is intended to provide internet from space and could one-day number 12,000 satellites. One of the company's Falcon 9 rockets took off without incident from Cape Canaveral in Florida around 10:30 pm. The second stage of the rocket will begin to release them one hour after launch, at an altitude of 440 kilometres, and then the satellites will use their thrusters to take up their places in a relatively low orbit of 550 kilometres. That's slightly higher than the International Space Station, but well below the majority of terrestrial satellites, the highest of which sits in a geostationary orbit of 36,000 kilometres. The launch was originally scheduled for last week but was postponed, first due to high winds and then due to the need for a software update. Billionaire Elon Musk's firm, which is leading the private space race when it comes to rocket launches, is now looking to seize a chunk of the future space internet market. The launch will make it an early forerunner, along with rival OneWeb, a startup, but well ahead of Amazon's Project Kuiper, the brainchild of Musk's space rival Jeff Bezos. Each of the satellites weighs just 227 kilograms (500 pounds) and was built in-house in Redmond, near Seattle. Starlink will become operational once 800 satellites have been activated, which will require a dozen more launches.

SpaceX launches first satellites of its internet network

Nearly two weeks after a fiery explosion during a ground test of its new crew capsule, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-suffers-capsule-anomaly-during-florida-tests-212274">SpaceX confirmed</a> on Thursday that the vehicle was destroyed, but neither the company nor NASA, its primary customer, have publicly acknowledged the nature of the mishap.

Instead, Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of flight reliability for California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp, known as SpaceX, continued to refer to the accident simply as an "anomaly" - science jargon for when something goes wrong.

The April 20th accident occurred on a landing zone at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as SpaceX was conducting a test of emergency thrusters designed to propel the capsule, dubbed Crew Dragon, to safety from atop the rocket in the event of a launch failure.

An attempt to test-fire the eight SuperDraco engines triggered the accident, demolishing the entire vehicle on a test stand, Koenigsmann told reporters at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

"Just prior, before we wanted to fire the SuperDraco, there was an anomaly and the vehicle was destroyed," Koenigsmann said on Thursday. "There were no injuries. SpaceX had taken all safety measures prior to this test, as we always do."

The news conference was called ahead of Friday's scheduled launch of an unmanned resupply mission to the international space station using a cargo-only capsule built by SpaceX, the private rocket venture of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

When pressed, Koenigsmann declined to characterize the nature of the accident, including whether an explosion or fire was involved. NASA has likewise demurred when asked to describe the mishap.

A leaked video of the accident, which was acknowledged as authentic by a NASA contractor in an internal memo obtained by the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, showed the astronaut capsule blasting into smithereens. A pall of smoke was also widely observed rising over the launch pad from a distance at the time of the ill-fated test.

The Crew Dragon had been scheduled to carry US&nbsp;astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station in a test mission in July, although the recent accident, as well as some other hitches in the vehicle's design, are likely to push that schedule to later in the year or into 2020.&nbsp;

"It’s certainly not great news for the schedule overall, but I hope we can recover," Koenigsmann said.

The destroyed vehicle was one of six such capsules built or in late production by SpaceX, and the first flown into space. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched it without crew to the space station in March for a six-day visit before returning to Earth, splashing down safely in the Atlantic for retrieval.

"We have no reason to believe there is an issue with the SuperDracos themselves," Koenigsmann said, adding that the engines have been tested nearly 600 times in the past.

NASA has been awarded $6.8 billion to SpaceX and rival Boeing Co to develop separate capsule systems to fly astronauts to space, but both companies have faced technical challenges and delays.

Nearly two weeks after a fiery explosion during a ground test of its new crew capsule, SpaceX confirmed on Thursday that the vehicle was destroyed, but neither the company nor NASA, its primary customer, have publicly acknowledged the nature of the mishap.

Nearly two weeks after a fiery explosion during a ground test of its new crew capsule, SpaceX confirmed on Thursday that the vehicle was destroyed, but neither the company nor NASA, its primary customer, have publicly acknowledged the nature of the mishap. Instead, Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of flight reliability for California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp, known as SpaceX, continued to refer to the accident simply as an "anomaly" - science jargon for when something goes wrong. The April 20th accident occurred on a landing zone at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as SpaceX was conducting a test of emergency thrusters designed to propel the capsule, dubbed Crew Dragon, to safety from atop the rocket in the event of a launch failure. An attempt to test-fire the eight SuperDraco engines triggered the accident, demolishing the entire vehicle on a test stand, Koenigsmann told reporters at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. "Just prior, before we wanted to fire the SuperDraco, there was an anomaly and the vehicle was destroyed," Koenigsmann said on Thursday. "There were no injuries. SpaceX had taken all safety measures prior to this test, as we always do." The news conference was called ahead of Friday's scheduled launch of an unmanned resupply mission to the international space station using a cargo-only capsule built by SpaceX, the private rocket venture of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. When pressed, Koenigsmann declined to characterize the nature of the accident, including whether an explosion or fire was involved. NASA has likewise demurred when asked to describe the mishap. A leaked video of the accident, which was acknowledged as authentic by a NASA contractor in an internal memo obtained by the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, showed the astronaut capsule blasting into smithereens. A pall of smoke was also widely observed rising over the launch pad from a distance at the time of the ill-fated test. The Crew Dragon had been scheduled to carry US astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station in a test mission in July, although the recent accident, as well as some other hitches in the vehicle's design, are likely to push that schedule to later in the year or into 2020. "It’s certainly not great news for the schedule overall, but I hope we can recover," Koenigsmann said. The destroyed vehicle was one of six such capsules built or in late production by SpaceX, and the first flown into space. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched it without crew to the space station in March for a six-day visit before returning to Earth, splashing down safely in the Atlantic for retrieval. "We have no reason to believe there is an issue with the SuperDracos themselves," Koenigsmann said, adding that the engines have been tested nearly 600 times in the past. NASA has been awarded $6.8 billion to SpaceX and rival Boeing Co to develop separate capsule systems to fly astronauts to space, but both companies have faced technical challenges and delays.

Crew capsule destroyed during April test accident, confirms SpaceX

A US Securities and Exchange commissioner on Tuesday criticised a settlement between the regulator and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-strikes-deal-with-market-regulators-over-tweets-213814">Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk</a> over his use of Twitter.

The head of the electric car maker reached a deal with the SEC on Friday, agreeing to submit his public statements about the company's finances and other topics to vetting by its legal counsel.

However, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tweet-may-cost-him-job-as-tesla-ceo-199947">SEC commissioner Robert Jackson </a>registered his dissent after the deal was approved by a federal judge earlier on Tuesday.

"Given Mr Musk's conduct, I cannot support a settlement in which he does not admit what is crystal clear to anyone who has followed this bizarre series of events," Jackson said in a statement.

"Musk breached the agreement he made last year with the Commission - and with American investors," he added.

US District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan approved the deal worked out on Friday that settled the dispute in which the SEC had sought to find Musk in contempt of a securities fraud settlement last year.

Earlier this month, Nathan had ordered the parties to work out an arrangement between themselves.

The new deal lays out in more detail what types of statements by Musk must be reviewed by Tesla's legal counsel before publication, such as financial statements, previously unreported production or delivery numbers, and other topics.

Regulators had claimed that a February tweet by Musk about Tesla's production numbers violated the earlier settlement, as it had not been vetted by the company's attorneys. Musk countered that the tweet was not material.

The SEC sued Musk last year for making fraudulent statements after he tweeted on Aug. 7 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private at $420 per share.

The parties eventually settled, and the deal called for Tesla's lawyers to pre-approve written communications, including tweets with material information about the company.

A US Securities and Exchange commissioner on Tuesday criticised a settlement between the regulator and Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk over his use of Twitter. The head of the electric car maker reached a deal with the SEC on Friday, agreeing to submit his public statements about the company's finances and other topics to vetting by its legal counsel.

A US Securities and Exchange commissioner on Tuesday criticised a settlement between the regulator and Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk over his use of Twitter. The head of the electric car maker reached a deal with the SEC on Friday, agreeing to submit his public statements about the company's finances and other topics to vetting by its legal counsel. However, SEC commissioner Robert Jackson registered his dissent after the deal was approved by a federal judge earlier on Tuesday. "Given Mr Musk's conduct, I cannot support a settlement in which he does not admit what is crystal clear to anyone who has followed this bizarre series of events," Jackson said in a statement. "Musk breached the agreement he made last year with the Commission - and with American investors," he added. US District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan approved the deal worked out on Friday that settled the dispute in which the SEC had sought to find Musk in contempt of a securities fraud settlement last year. Earlier this month, Nathan had ordered the parties to work out an arrangement between themselves. The new deal lays out in more detail what types of statements by Musk must be reviewed by Tesla's legal counsel before publication, such as financial statements, previously unreported production or delivery numbers, and other topics. Regulators had claimed that a February tweet by Musk about Tesla's production numbers violated the earlier settlement, as it had not been vetted by the company's attorneys. Musk countered that the tweet was not material. The SEC sued Musk last year for making fraudulent statements after he tweeted on Aug. 7 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private at $420 per share. The parties eventually settled, and the deal called for Tesla's lawyers to pre-approve written communications, including tweets with material information about the company.

I cannot support settlement with Musk: SEC commissioner Robert Jackson

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