Very recently, Tesla obtained permission from the Netherlands Vehicle Authority, RDW, to deploy its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature in the Netherlands—for supervised use. In practice, this means Tesla’s FSD is classified as a Level 2 driver-assistance system. It’s one of the first approvals of its kind in the EU and part of a broader wave of carefully controlled FSD pilots in Europe under strict regulatory frameworks. Tesla offered me—as a frequent Model Y driver—a free one-month trial, which I accepted. Activating FSD disables the standard cruise control, but you can’t just start using it right away. First, you need to…
Walmart has secured new patents that expand the role of machine learning in pricing decisions. The move signals a deeper shift in how retailers manage prices, inventory, and demand across digital channels. At first glance, this may seem like a technical update. However, it touches on a much broader debate: how far automation should go in shaping prices in e-commerce. From Static Pricing to Intelligent Systems Walmart’s newly approved patents focus on two key capabilities. First, an automated system to manage markdowns across its e-commerce platform. Second, a machine learning model that predicts demand and recommends pricing strategies over time.…
