WHAT’S INSIDE

• Tech News: — Right to Repair, Manufacturing, Musk vs. Trump Reddit v AI

• Company Watch: Cohere, OnlyFans, AI Professionals U., Dawn, You.com

• Feature: Amazon’s Last Mile Delivery Bots & Drones Just Got Real

• Buzzy Tools: Latest Buzzy tech, AI and financial tools

• Deep Tech: The latest in deep tech, biotech, futurism and more

• Space Tech: Latest news in the space race and aerospace tech

• Crypto: Blockchain and crypto policy and startups or protocols to watch

TECH IN THE NEWS

Tariffs Fallout — The OECD has reduced U.S. growth forecasts for 2025, 26 to 1.6% and 1.5% as imports dropped by 20% in April following tariffs, leading to a record trade deficit reduction. Canada + China imports hit 2020 lows.

Trump To China— Pres. Trump announced a trip to China following a constructive call with Xi Jinping covering a new trade agreement and Taiwan tensions. U.S. experts warn of China’s critical minerals supply chain leverage.

Repair Revolution — The Texas Senate is the ninth state (+ the first GOP-led one) to pass a right-to-repair law mandating manufacturers to supply spare parts and tools.

Manufacturing Squeeze — U.S. manufacturing contracted for the third month in May as tariffs extended delivery times, raising concerns about shortages and costs. The PMI hit a six-month low, highlighting tariff and supply chain challenges.

Musk vs. Trump — Elon Musk threatens to end SpaceX's use of Dragon, calls for impeachment after Trump suggests cutting Musk’s government contracts over tax bill criticism as a "disgusting abomination."

Reddit's AI Battle — Reddit is suing Anthropic for using its data to train AI models without permission, seeking damages and an injunction. Anthropic denies of course.

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Bots, Drones, & The Last Mile Delivery War

This week saw some massive developments in the frontier of automation: the war for the last mile as delivery and retail warehouse logistics robotics explodes.

In a San Francisco warehouse, Amazon’s humanoid robots are stepping into formation. In Dublin, Deliveroo’s drones are zipping burritos across rooftops. In China, factories are mass-producing robotic limbs and sensors with ruthless efficiency. This week saw some massive developments in the frontier of automation: the war for the last mile as delivery and retail warehouse logistics robotics explodes.

It’s a high-stakes, geopolitically charged, trillion-dollar contest reshaping how goods move, who builds the tools to move them, and which companies—and nations—lead that economy of the 2030s.

Amazon’s Robotocs Moonshot

Amazon is going all-in. At its newly announced “Humanoid Park” in San Fran, the tech giant is testing humanoid delivery bots like Unitree’s $16,000 G1, aiming to fuse these machines into its existing logistics empire. These bots don’t just deliver packages—they’re the physical face of Amazon’s massive $25 billion investment into robotics-led fulfillment centers.

The vision is Amazon’s version of hybrid logistics, blending electrification, autonomy, and AI into a seamless supply chain. Robots pack warehouse orders, hitch rides in Rivian electric vans, and walk your order to the door. Or drones drop it in your lap.

And this push isn't isolated. it is also committing $10 billion to AI-powered data centers in North Carolina, indicating it sees the fusion of cloud, robotics, and logistics as the infrastructure layer for the future of commerce.

Delivery Drones Hit the Skies 

As of May, Amazon also now offers drone delivery for iPhones and other devices, allowing customers in 5 US locations to receive packages within 60 minutes using advanced technology to ensure safe and efficient deliveries, even in light rain.

Deliveroo is also going aerial. In Dublin, it just launched a pilot with drone startup Manna, offering 3-minute food deliveries within a two-mile radius. The drones fly at 50mph, then hover and drop meals via biodegradable tethers in a touch of sci-fi flair.

It’s easy to see why this approach is gaining buzz. Drones bypass traffic, require no sidewalks, and work well in dense urban zones. Compared to humanoid robots, they seem… cleaner. More elegant, but it also comes with limits—payloads, weather sensitivity, and regulatory friction. Still, drones are here—and they’re moving fast.

Coexistence or Competition?

Instinctively, drones feel a bit more like the future to us than robots sitting in traffic jams. They're nimble, quiet, and increasingly reliable. Humanoids, in contrast, carry the burden of complexity: balance, terrain navigation, and perception. But maybe this isn’t a fight. Maybe it's a split. Drones dominate suburban food delivery, while humanoid robots take over dense, multi-package urban routes replacing bike and car couriers. Both will have a role to play as the industry scales.

Tesla’s Robotics Response?

Enter Tesla. While Amazon builds logistics from the inside out, Tesla’s betting the house on Optimus. CEO Elon Musk projects the bots could generate $1.7T in revenue by 2030 if the company hits mass production at under $20,000 per unit.

Tesla’s edge? Chips. SpaceX is building a Texas-based chip packaging facility, giving it vertical control from silicon to steel. If it works, Tesla could undercut global robotics costs while securing a tech moat around Optimus. SpaceX expertise could help Tesla to build drones pretty effectively too so don’t count Elon out yet.

That is unless politics gets in the way. Musk and Trump are feuding, with Trump threatening to cancel SpaceX contracts over Elon’s recent criticisms of his tax bill. But the stakes are too high. There’s too much cash, infrastructure, and political capital tied up. Prediction. They’ll patch things up—because they have to for business.

The Quiet AI Boom From Chips to Parts

Forget Nvidia. The next big AI windfall might belong to auto parts suppliers. Robots need the same components as cars: sensors, control units, drive systems.

China's leap forward in robotics has quietly shown the way to mass-produce what humanoid robots now need via auto firms and factories transitioning. With auto sales down, Tesla and others may look to refocus on robotics. Firms like Aptiv, Mobileye, and Harmonic Drive are set to help us do so. Morgan Stanley calls it a "second act" for auto companies. They largely missed the EV wave. They won’t want to miss this.

Global Friction and Supply Chain Faultlines

But supply chains matter. In a critical minerals scenario exercise, U.S. analysts just found that China could exert heavy leverage over rare earths, batteries, and actuators—all of which robots require.

China already controls over 60% of rare earth processing, 63% of actuator production, and 75% of global battery inputs. For the U.S., that’s a strategic vulnerability—and a wake-up call.

Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturing remains sluggish according to new data from April, with delivery times lengthening and automation adoption lagging. But robotics could be the spark that revives domestic production. Amazon, Tesla, and a wave of robotics startups are betting on it.

Money Still Flows

On the bright side, the US continues to lead in AI venture capital as of latest data this week. The robotics delivery sector is soaking up capital. Startups like Serve Robotics and Agility are raising hundreds of millions. Investors see what’s coming: a world where every sidewalk, street, and doorstep has a machine in motion.

Apple's "What Will We Do?" Conference

As we head into WWDC 2025, Apple’s AI narrative feels oddly muted. The company has largely pulled back from robotics, ceding ground to competitors. Could we see some home robotics announcements take the stage instead of generative AI. After all, even Xiaomi and Huawei are pivoting from phones to robots and even cars. Apple may not be able to sit this one out for long.

The Machines Are Already Moving

The last mile is no longer a human domain. The companies fighting for it are building the foundation for post-human logistics infrastructure. Like Robotaxis, delivery could prove to be a key proving ground for the next industrial era. The winners will own e-commerce and shape how the world builds, moves, and trades.

COMPANIES TO WATCH

Apple — At WWDC 2025, expect to be disappointed on AI advancements, adopting a "gap year" strategy. Key updates include opening AI models to devs, a new gaming app, and rebranding its OS’. Major AI projects are likely delayed.

Apple iOS 19 — iOS 19 should debut with a significant design overhaul inspired by Vision Pro, an AI health coach, improved battery, and reverse wireless charging.

Microsoft — Investing $400M in Switzerland to enhance cloud computing and AI infrastructure like data centers in Geneva and Zurich, and ensure data sovereignty.

Meta — Signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to source power from an Illinois nuclear plant to support its AI initiatives with clean energy..

IBM — Acquired Seek AI, an enterprise data analysis startup, to bolster its Watsonx AI Labs in NYC to support IBM's strategy to invest in enterprise AI.

AMD — Acquired AI software startup Brium to bolster its open AI ecosystem and challenge Nvidia's dominance in AI hardware by optimizing ml hardware applications.

Open Deals

Cohere — The AI start-up founded by ex-Google researchers in Canada is seeking over $500M for expansion, aiming for a valuation of $5.5B-$6.5B. ARR has doubled, surpassing $100M, despite competition from established players and new entrants.

OnlyFans — The UK-based content subscription platform is exploring a strategic exit before market disruption with an $8B sale due to AI threats like Google's Veo 3, which could automate content creation.

AI Professionals University — The AI education startup is raising $10-15M at a $50M valuation in a Series B round. Founded in 2024, AIPU aims for global expansion, planning to certify over 1M students by 2027.

Making Waves

Dawn Aerospace — The NZ-based company has launched public sales of its Aurora space plane, reaching 62 miles altitude and Mach 3.5 speed. With a 22-pound payload. Deliveries are expected in 2027 at a cool… $30M a pop. Gulp.

You.com — The AI enterprise software startup is reportedly negotiating with Cox Enterprises to secure funding at a $1.4B valuation. This move aims to bolster its offerings in the competitive AI sector.

Salesforce — Acquired Moonhub, a startup specializing in AI tools for hiring and part of Moonhub's team will join to boost its AI-driven acquisition efforts.

Joby Aviation — The electric air taxi firm has signed a $1B memorandum of understanding with Abdul Latif Jameel to distribute in Saudi Arabia, leveraging ALJ's infrastructure and ties with Toyota to accelerate market entry and operations.

LawZero — Yoshua Bengio is launching a nonprofit to develop "Scientist AI," a non-agentic system focused on AI safety and human psychology instead of onn AGI.

SignalPulse — Read the Top signals, Startups + Deals From Last Week

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BUZZY TOOLS

Buzzy Tech Tools To Watch & Use

Super Assistant — OpenAI plans to transform ChatGPT into a "super assistant" by 2025 + Record records meetings, generates summaries.

Meta — Aria Gen 2 smart glasses enhance computer vision and contextual AI.

Venmo — New debit tools: tap-to-pay 15% cashback, boosting services beyond p2p.

Paddle & RevenueCat — Alternative payment integration for app developers.

H Company — Three AI agents for enterprise automation with 92% success.

BUZZY TECH

The Latest Deep Technology & Trends To Watch

Nvidia Blackwell — Outperforms with 2.2x power in MLPerf benchmark.

DF-5 Missile — China’s new ICBMs to exceed 1,000 warheads by 2030.

Middle East Super-Apps — Careem, Talabat, Botim expand to payments.

Speechmatics AI — 400% user adoption, 50-60% faster transcription.

Xanadu Photonic — Error-resistant qubits enable scalable qc w/ fiber optics.

BioReason — Combines DNA model and lm for 15% better disease prediction.

CRYPTO WATCH

JPMorgan's Move — JPM plans to enable clients to use cryptocurrency as loan collateral for ETFs like BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust.

Eric Trump vs. Fakes — Eric Trump threatened legal action against an unauthorized $TRUMP Wallet. The Trump family denies any involvement.

PumpFun ICO — PumpFun, a Solana-based memecoin launchpad, aims to raise $1B at a $4B valuation, despite leading memecoins plummeting. It remains a DeFi heavyweight, with $645M revenue last year.

Layer's NFT Display — Angelo Sotira, founder of DeviantArt, introduces Layer, a $22,000 display for digital art w/ high-quality resolution and generative art subscription access, artists royalties based on display time.

SPACE_RACE

NASA_Budget cuts, leadership changes threaten missions +craft.

Jared Isaacman_Nomination withdrawal impacts NASA's Moon, Mars plans.

SpaceX_Texas factory boosts chip independence + Projects $15.5B in 2025, surpassing NASA's budget.

Laser Sail_Photonic crystal cuts costs 9000x, hits 1/5th light speed travel.

Ispace_Japan’s Lunar lander link lost; future moon missions by ‘26.

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