Latest news with #Aspen
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford CEO Jim Farley says Waymo's approach to self-driving makes more sense than Tesla's
Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed skepticism about the technological approach to self-driving cars being pursued by Tesla, citing consumer 'trust' and the need to 'be really careful' as reasons why Ford sees more potential in systems based on laser sensors like those in Waymo vehicles. The comments are the latest indication of the auto industry's resistance to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's vision of less expensive self-driving vehicles that use only video cameras and artificial intelligence — a bet Musk believes will ultimately pay off and prompt other automakers to license Tesla's technology. But Ford, the number three automaker in the U.S., which plans to work with partners to incorporate self-driving technology into its future vehicles, does not seem likely to license Tesla's tech anytime soon, based on Farley's comments on Friday. 'When you have a brand like Ford, when there's a new technology, you have to be really careful,' Farley said at the Aspen Ideas Festival on Friday. 'We really believe that LiDAR is mission critical,' Farley said, referring to the laser sensors used by companies like Waymo. Farley was being interviewed by Walter Isaacson, who published a biography on Elon Musk in 2023. When their conversation turned to autonomy, Isaacson asked Farley to compare both Waymo and Tesla's systems, and he asked which approach made more sense. 'To us, Waymo,' Farley said. He pointed out that both Waymo, owned by Google-parent Alphabet, and Tesla 'have made a lot of progress' on self-driving, and Farley acknowledged that he has had conversations with Elon Musk. But he stated that Ford considered LiDAR to be an important part of the picture, noting that 'where the camera will be completely blinded, the LiDAR system will see exactly what's in front of you.' Tesla, which recently launched its robotaxi service in Austin—with safety riders in the front seat—has famously taken a 'camera-only' approach to its autonomous technology, meaning that it doesn't use radar or LiDAR technology to 'see' the environment around the car. This approach has drawn scrutiny across the industry from people who question whether it is as safe without the redundancies, even as Musk argues that it's more economical and performs just as well 'The issue with Waymo's cars is it costs way more money,' Musk said during Tesla's quarterly earnings call in April. 'The car is very expensive, made in low volume. Teslas probably cost 25% or 20% of what a Waymo costs and made in very high volume.' Ford has said it plans to partner with a self-driving software company once the technology is farther along. While the company had spent $1 billion pursuing its own joint venture with Volkswagen, called Argo AI, Ford stopped funding the effort in 2022 and decided to pursue a partnership model. In the meantime, the company has shifted attention to its 'BlueCruise' technology, a so-called Level 2 self-driving system that allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel on the highway but requires full attention. Ford is still working on developing a more advanced system, which will allow drivers to not pay attention during certain times on the highway—but it has said it no longer has intentions to build a fully autonomous, Level 4 system, only plans to partner with other companies who have. 'We decided, as a company, that a cooler problem than full autonomy in an urban setting was high speed, eyes off. Push a button and read a book in your car,' Farley said. This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Luxury fashion brands open designer hotels
Luxury fashion houses are making a notable move into the hospitality sector, with a growing number launching branded hotels, resort collaborations, and exclusive spa experiences. From Dior's summer residency at The Little Nell in Aspen to Bulgari's expanding hotel empire, the lines between fashion and hospitality continue to blur as designers seek new ways to deepen consumer engagement. What began as seasonal pop-ups and co-branded events has evolved into full-scale hotel and resort projects. The trend is led by brands such as Versace, Dior, Missoni, and Bulgari, each offering immersive experiences that extend their aesthetic beyond clothing and accessories. In March 2024, Palazzo Versace opened in Macau, delivering a 271-room property styled in the fashion house's opulent identity. Bulgari, which opened its first hotel in Milan in 2004, now operates nine branded hotels worldwide, with new locations in Miami Beach and the Maldives scheduled to open by 2026. The Rome-based jeweller aims to replicate its meticulous design ethos in hospitality, describing each hotel as being "crafted like a jewel", according to Bulgari executive Silvio Ursini. Dior's partnership with The Little Nell last summer showcased another model. The fashion house reimagined the poolside and spa areas of the Colorado property with its signature Jouy Soleil toile, Dior-branded menus, and luxury skincare treatments. The success of this project has led Dior to open its first permanent spa in Italy, located at the refurbished Belmond Splendido in Portofino. The movement is not limited to full hotel ventures. Several designers are contributing individual suites, spa residencies, and leisure experiences. Diane von Furstenberg, for instance, designed a branded suite at Hotel Amigo in Brussels, featuring bold prints and personal memorabilia, reflecting both style and heritage. Meanwhile, collaborations between fashion labels and established resorts are gaining traction. The Verdura Resort in Sicily introduced the Missoni Resort Club, which included beachwear-styled loungers, a themed cocktail menu, and a dedicated boutique. In Florida, Vilebrequin launched a Cabana Club at the Beach Club in Boca Raton, offering bungalows featuring the swimwear brand's vibrant patterns. Looking ahead, Louis Vuitton is set to open its first hotel on the Champs Élysées in 2026, a development that could mark a significant moment in the convergence of luxury fashion and branded accommodation. Short-term pop-ups remain a key part of the strategy. Brands are teaming up with resorts, trains, and yachts to offer temporary but high-impact experiences. This summer, Dior has joined with Belmond for a four-day wellness journey aboard the Royal Scotsman train through the Scottish Highlands. Balmain, Guerlain, and Valentino also have partnerships underway across the Mediterranean, including at resorts in Greece, Spain, and France. In the US, Michael Kors has launched a Jet Set package with the Montauk Yacht Club, featuring branded travel items and bespoke spa and dining experiences. Other fashion houses are focusing on limited edition collections and in-resort boutiques—such as CDLP's leisurewear range at Lake Como's Passalacqua, and Hublot's exclusive watch collaboration with Eden Rock in St. Barth's. These initiatives not only drive brand visibility but offer luxury travellers curated environments that mirror the identity of their favourite labels. They also provide retailers with a long-form platform to engage consumers beyond the brief retail interaction. As seasonal launches and permanent properties continue to emerge, the integration of luxury fashion and high-end hospitality appears to be more than a passing trend. The expansion is reshaping the guest experience, turning hotel stays into extended encounters with brand identity and lifestyle narratives. With further launches planned through 2026, the fashion-hotel collaboration model is set to become a key strategy in both sectors. "Luxury fashion brands open designer hotels" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Emerging Sports Firm The Owl AI Raises $11M Seed Round, Taps Google Vet Josh Gwyther As CEO
After launching at the X Games last January, The Owl AI has raised an $11 million seed round as it seeks new sports and settings where it can update human-based functions like officiating and judging. Championed by Jeremy Bloom, a tech entrepreneur and former Olympic skier who was also a onetime NFL draft pick, the company has drawn significant backing. Its seed round was led by S32, which was founded by Google Ventures creator Bill Maris, and participants also include Menlo Ventures and Susa Ventures. Bloom, who is CEO of the X Games, has installed former Google Cloud AI chief Josh Gwyther as CEO. Advertisement More from Deadline 'When we launched The Owl in Aspen, the mission was clear: to modernize and elevate how sports are judged, experienced, and understood, using the power of AI,' Bloom said. 'What I didn't anticipate was the immediate surge of excitement among all the stakeholders including athletes and also other leagues. It was obvious that we were on to something big and necessary.' Gwyther's hiring, he added, is a 'major moment, not just for The Owl, but for the entire world of sports technology.' The goal of The Owl is to bring about fairness through technology. The company says it is in active discussions with a range of leagues and rightsholders in multiple sports. Although instant replay is now commonplace, more embeddable tech solutions like the Cyclops system in tennis for automated line calls, are more in line with where the company is heading. For TV and streaming viewers, the flaws and delays of the current landscape are also a pain point (just scroll social media on the morning after the big game). Plus, the explosion of sports betting and the financial payoffs hanging in the balance offer another reason to improve officiating and judging. Advertisement The Owl also says its tools help with viewer engagement by providing localized commentary in dozens of languages. 'At S32, we invest in bold ideas led by visionary teams and Owl AI is exactly that,' said Andy Harrison, CEO & General Partner, S32. 'By fusing elite athletic insight with cutting-edge AI, Jeremy and Josh are building more than just a new layer of fairness in sports – they're reshaping how the world experiences competition.' In 2022, MSP Sports Capital purchased a majority stake in the X Games from ESPN, which launched the event in 1995 as a way to entice younger viewers. The organization also set a deal with Roku for live streaming. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Owl AI Launches With $11M To Judge Sports Judges, Talent Evaluators
(Photo by) The CEO of the X Games and the former head of Google's AI Solutions Architecture are teaming up to launch The Owl AI, a set of artificial intelligence tools designed to improve sports judging, refereeing, talent evaluation, coaching, and athletic performance. Along the way, The Owl AI also can deliver live, on-screen commentary in 40 languages other than English, enormously expanding the possible reach of televised experiences. The company today announced it has raised $11 million in a seed round led by S32, the venture fund founded by Google Ventures creator Bill Maris, with participation from Menlo Ventures and Susa Ventures. Josh Gwyther, who just left his job as head of Google's A.I. Solutions Architecture after nine years with the company, is CEO. Logo for AI-based judging software The Owl AI The company's executive chairman is Jeremy Bloom (no relation), who has headed the X Games since late last year and formerly was a World Cup skier and pro football player. 'We can judge games, and can referee purely objectively, not subjectively,' said Bloom. 'We want to contribute to having a solution there, not to replace referees and judges but to assist them in making the right calls.' The Owl technology got its first test run at the Winter X Games in Aspen last winter, helping judges evaluate the fast-moving and complex tricks of the snowboarding SuperPipe competition. It delivered on-screen commentary on who the competition's likely winners would be, based on their practice runs and history (see video at bottom). The tech will be used again at the X Games summer gathering this weekend in Salt Lake City, as part of the men's and women's skate park competitions. 'Robo' judging has been creeping into many sports in the past few years. Video-assist refereeing helps soccer officials review offsides, hand balls, fouls, and similar high-consequence issues. Major League Baseball has been experimenting with robo umpires to call strikes and balls in minor league games. And major tennis tournaments have used video playback to review whether a shot is in bounds or not. Separately, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer leveraged his ownership of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers to launch Second Spectrum, a tech company later acquired for $200 million by Genius Sports that provides data tracking and visualization of athletes. '(The Owl AI) is different in a lot of ways because there's an intelligence behind it,' Gwyther said. 'Most (existing referee-assist systems) were built on a vision model. It's just based on pure ball-in, ball-out (judgments). It's binary. We can do things that a traditional technology couldn't, like judging subjective sports: (athletes') style, flow, how they land, how they perform.' That means, in the snowboard and skateboard sports in X Games competitions, understanding what creates good style and form on a board, Bloom said. 'Style is good economies of motion in air,' Bloom said. 'When you look at who wins or loses, it's the person who does the most difficult trick, who lands the cleanest, and is on target.' Other questions need to be answered in a 'tricky,' trick-filled sport such as skateboarding, Bloom said. When the athlete grabs the board in a trick, do they just touch the board or actually grab it? Do they lift an arm to right their balance, suggesting they're off perfect alignment? How many spins of the board or themselves did they actually complete? How cleanly did they grind a rail? How did they land the board? 'The easiest way to think about it is the tech allows us to put a Ph.D.-level analyst in the game, and create structured analysis behind it,' Gwyther said. 'You can do analysis on every player in the game, tuned for that position, that player. That's the exciting part for me.' Unsurprisingly, the system's 'core technology' is built atop Gemini, the Alphabet-owned Google AI initiative on which Gwyther formerly worked. 'We will be doing adaptive tuning on top of that," to optimize the tools for different sports, said Gwyther. Computer vision and other AI technologies have advanced rapidly in recent years, but only in the past six months were they sufficiently sophisticated to handle what The Owl is doing, Gwyther said, bringing enough nuance to pick up performance details at ever-higher video frame rates and resolutions. 'At this point, you can feed it everything from 720P (resolution) to 4K, it doesn't really matter,' Gwyther said. 'Not only can it interpret that video, it can be produced on a cell phone.' And out of that, many other uses become possible, Gwyther said. 'Once it becomes a really good judge, it can be a really good coach,' Gwyther said. 'You can do analysis' to evaluate talent for, say, college scholarship offers, or pro sports drafts. It also can help improve an athlete's form, to improve performance. High-end sports-motion clinics have emerged in recent years to evaluate top athletes and help optimize their skills and form, though the cost of such analyses typically have been well beyond the wallets of most aspiring young athletes. A third component leverages the AI's understanding of what's happening onscreen to generate live commentary in any of 40 languages, enormously expanding potential fan engagement beyond the native language of any given sportscast. Bloom acknowledged that the technology also likely will be attractive to many in the exploding business of sports gambling, worth an estimated $16 billion a year now in the United States, as they try to arbitrage the best available bets in a given sport, especially compared to what may be posted by gambling sites. Even in the Aspen X Games test run, the tool predicted a top 3 order of finish that differed from the betting lines set by oddsmakers. 'I think this kind of technology will be ubiquitous and table stakes for Vegas to set odds, but also for picking your fantasy team," Bloom said. Also, 'how do you find the best odds?' Given the rapid expansion of sports betting, getting refereeing and judging consistently, objectively right will become ever more important for leagues to rebut any possible complaints of improper influence, Bloom said, while also doing anomaly detection. 'If you're (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell and you have 16 games every weekend, and the technology flags, 'Hey, this ref's behavior is a bit off, and they missed five calls,'' then the league can quickly and directly follow up to see what's going on, Bloom said. After the Winter Games debut, 'six or seven' other leagues reached out about the Owl technology and how it might supplement their referees/judges' work, Bloom said, though he said no possible deal is ready for announcement yet. Watch the video below from the Winter X Games to hear The Owl AI predict he top three finishers in the SuperPipe:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sanchez's Wedding Was Reportedly Postponed Over Prenup Issues
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are reportedly days away from tying the knot in a lavish Italian ceremony, but the duo once had to postpone their walk down the aisle amid prenup negotiations. Protests in Venice over the 61-year-old billionaire and the 55-year-old former reporter's opulent wedding plans are reportedly derailing their big day slightly, but it's not the first time they've faced a wedding hurdle! A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the couple were initially planning on getting married in Aspen, Colorado, in the winter of 2024, but rescheduled because their prenuptial agreement wasn't finalized. More from SheKnows Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez's Full Relationship Timeline Needless to say, the Amazon founder's lawyers worked for months to draw up an ironclad prenup to protect his billion-dollar fortune and, according to an October 2024 report in the Daily Mail, forbid Bezos from marrying Sanchez until the prenup was settled. In December 2024, Bezos shut down a New York Post report that claimed he and Sanchez planned a $600 million wedding in Aspen, writing on X that the claim was 'completely false.' Bezos's decision to protect his assets comes after his expensive 2019 divorce from ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, whom he married in 1993 before making his fortune. With no prenup in place, Scott's divorce included claims that he cheated on her with his now-fiancée, Sanchez, and demanded support for their four children. The divorce became one of the most expensive divorces in history after Scott, who played a key role in Amazon's early days, was awarded over $38 billion in Amazon shares. However, a prenup is clearly not a deterrent for Sanchez, 55, who is scheduled to marry Bezos, 61, this week in Venice. According to People, Sanchez signed a prenup with her first husband, Patrick Whitesell, with whom she split in 2019. The exes, who share two children, divided their assets and properties per the agreement. The terms of Bezos and Sanchez's prenup remain highly confidential, but it is expected to include protections for his four kids as well as a generous amount of alimony for Sanchez in case of a divorce. Before you go, click to see the longest celebrity divorces that took years to get finalized. Best of SheKnows 39 Times Actresses Totally Transformed For a Role: See Side-by-Side Photos Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez's Full Relationship Timeline 23 Age-Gap Couples Who Met When One of Them Was Still a Child
