Doordash Acquires Chowbotics

Tech News Highlights: February 8, 2021

Significant developments occurred today involving DoorDash, Twitter, and Tesla. DoorDash completed an acquisition, Twitter validated upcoming subscription services, and Tesla made a substantial investment in bitcoin. This summarizes the key events in today’s tech landscape.

DoorDash Expands with Robotics Acquisition

DoorDash has finalized the acquisition of Chowbotics, a startup specializing in robotic salad preparation. The company’s Sally robot offers a contactless ordering experience.

DoorDash anticipates this acquisition will broaden access to fresh, safe food options and strengthen its delivery infrastructure. Specific integration plans for Chowbotics’ technology remain undisclosed at this time.

This move represents DoorDash’s continued exploration of robotics in its operations, building on previous trials with delivery robots from Starship Technologies.

Updates from Tech Industry Leaders

Twitter has officially confirmed its intention to explore new revenue streams, including subscription models, throughout 2021. Details regarding these potential subscriptions are currently unavailable.

Tesla announced a $1.5 billion investment in bitcoin, with the possibility of accepting the cryptocurrency as a form of payment in the future. This announcement triggered an immediate price increase for bitcoin, exceeding $40,000 per coin.

A historic unionization vote has commenced for Amazon warehouse workers. The National Labor Relations Board denied Amazon’s request for a delay in the voting process.

Startup Activity and Funding News

Access to Clubhouse, the social audio app, has been blocked in China following a period of unrestricted use. Thousands of Chinese users experienced access restrictions on Monday evening.

WeWork’s financial performance appears to be improving, although SoftBank has discouraged public discussion of these positive developments. This information was revealed in SoftBank’s recent earnings report.

Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has acquired Parse.ly, an analytics firm. Parse.ly will now operate as part of WPVIP, Automattic’s enterprise hosting and support division.

Expert Insights from Extra Crunch

The initial public offering (IPO) filing of Oscar Health will serve as a test for the venture-backed insurance business model. Despite strong fundraising and revenue growth, Oscar Health currently operates at a loss.

Mergers and acquisitions in the container security sector are increasing as companies accelerate their transition to cloud-based infrastructure. This surge in M&A activity is driven by the growing importance of cloud security.

Two companies with approximately $50 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), SimpleNexus and PicsArt, have discussed their growth strategies and future plans. This analysis is part of an ongoing series by Alex Wilhelm.

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Additional News and Developments

The Silenced No More Act aims to prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases involving harassment or discrimination. This proposed legislation would expand worker protections established by the Stand Together Against Non-Disclosures Act.

MIT is developing a comprehensive facility for 3D-printing robots, known as “LaserFactory.” This project seeks to integrate robotics, drones, and other machines into a single, streamlined fabrication process.

A review of the Hasselblad X1D II 50C camera, a $10,000 kit, was conducted, showcasing its performance in real-world, socially distanced settings.

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