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Tesla Robotaxi Permits Lag

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Tesla has continued to signal plans for launching a driverless robotaxi service in California, but regulatory filings show limited progress toward securing the necessary approvals.

State records indicate that the company has not conducted documented autonomous test driving on public roads in recent years. In California, such testing is a required step toward obtaining permits to operate fully driverless ride-hailing services.

Regulators require companies to meet testing benchmarks before advancing to commercial deployment. Tesla currently holds only an initial permit allowing supervised trials with a safety driver present.

The company has instead focused on limited pilot services in other regions with fewer regulatory hurdles.

Industry observers note that California remains a critical market for autonomous mobility ambitions due to its size and regulatory influence.

The situation highlights the gap between development goals and regulatory readiness as companies work toward deploying fully autonomous transportation systems.

Uber forecasts profit below estimates on cheaper rides and higher taxes

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Uber Technologies forecast first-quarter profit below Wall Street expectations, citing higher taxes and a strategic push toward cheaper ride options designed to boost bookings. The outlook sent Uber shares sharply lower in premarket trading, as investors reacted to weaker earnings guidance despite strong demand.

Uber said it expects an adjusted effective tax rate of 22% to 25% this year, reflecting its operations across more than 70 countries. At the same time, the company has expanded lower-cost mobility products such as shared rides, which helped trips rise 22% in the fourth quarter but weighed on near-term margins.

The company projected first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 65 to 72 cents, below analyst expectations, while gross bookings are forecast to exceed estimates. Uber said it is deliberately moderating margin expansion after proving its ability to generate profits, prioritising affordability to drive growth.

Uber also announced a chief financial officer transition and highlighted accounting changes in the UK that will reduce reported margins without affecting underlying profitability. Management said improving pricing conditions and lower insurance costs should support growth later in the year.

Seated Salsa: The Simple Desk Exercise That Helps Ease Back Pain

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If you’ve ever bent down to tie your shoes and felt that sudden, sharp pain in your lower back, you’re not alone. Around 619 million people worldwide suffer from lower back pain — now the leading cause of disability globally. But a simple exercise called “seated salsa” could help relieve that pain without you even having to stand up.

Developed by physiotherapists studying how movement affects the spine, seated salsa gently mobilizes the lower vertebrae — the stiffest part of the back, where most pain occurs. “The bottom of the spine is held tightly in place by ligaments, which makes it very stable but also difficult to move once pain sets in,” explains Chris McCarthy, associate professor of physiotherapy at Manchester Metropolitan University.

When the back becomes painful, muscles spasm and restrict motion, creating a vicious cycle of stiffness and pain. Seated salsa breaks that cycle by restoring small, rhythmic motion to the pelvis — mimicking the natural side-to-side movement that occurs when walking.

To perform it, sit upright with your feet flat on the floor and knees together. Keep your shoulders still, then push your right knee forward as you pull your left knee back, and switch. The motion causes your pelvis to tilt from side to side — just like a salsa dance. Repeat for one minute every 30 minutes.

Early trials by the Manchester Movement Unit found that even short sessions helped relax lower back muscles and reduce pain. “It’s easy to do while you’re working,” says McCarthy. “You don’t even need to leave your desk.”

Seated salsa can also help older adults or those with reduced mobility, offering a low-impact way to stay active. Experts agree that regular movement — no matter how small — is essential for long-term health. As geriatrician Jugdeep Dhesi puts it: “It’s about making movement a habit — whether it’s seated salsa at work or a few squats while the kettle boils.”