r/technology ·Tuesday, December 30, 2025

China has announced a ban on retractable door handles in vehicles, citing safety concerns. The regulation, which will take effect in 2025, prohibits car manufacturers from installing door handles that retract into the vehicle body. This move primarily affects electric vehicle makers like Tesla, which popularized the feature for aerodynamic efficiency and sleek design. Chinese authorities argue that retractable handles pose risks during emergencies, such as crashes or electrical failures, when quick access to vehicles is critical. The ban reflects China's growing focus on automotive safety standards as electric vehicle adoption increases.

The post outlines 10 actionable methods to enhance home Wi-Fi performance, including repositioning the router away from obstructions and interference sources, updating firmware, using wired connections for stationary devices, upgrading to a mesh network for larger homes, changing Wi-Fi channels to avoid congestion, enabling quality of service (QoS) settings, securing the network, rebooting the router regularly, checking for ISP issues, and considering a router upgrade if outdated. These solutions range from simple adjustments to more involved upgrades, aimed at addressing common connectivity problems.

A Jalopnik report reveals that Tesla's robotaxi fleet in Austin, Texas, consists of just 34 vehicles, far fewer than previously suggested. The article highlights the discrepancy between Tesla's ambitious autonomous driving claims and the current small-scale, geographically limited deployment. This raises questions about the company's progress toward a fully operational robotaxi service and its ability to scale the technology beyond controlled environments.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is recruiting for a challenging AI safety position with a $555,000 salary, described as one of the most stressful jobs in the field. The role focuses on mitigating AI harms and ensuring ethical deployment. This high-profile recruitment highlights the growing emphasis on AI safety within the industry, as companies grapple with the dual pressures of innovation and responsible development. The substantial salary reflects the critical importance and difficulty of the position in addressing potential risks associated with advanced AI systems.

China is developing the world's largest 'super-cold air battery' energy storage facility in the Gobi Desert. This innovative system uses excess renewable energy to cool air to extremely low temperatures, storing it as liquid air. When energy is needed, the liquid air is warmed and expanded to drive turbines, generating electricity. The project aims to address renewable energy intermittency by providing large-scale, long-duration storage. Located in a remote desert area, it leverages natural cold temperatures to enhance efficiency and supports China's transition to clean energy with minimal environmental impact.

Softbank is reportedly in talks to acquire data center firm DigitalBridge for approximately $4 billion, as part of a strategic push into artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition aims to strengthen Softbank's position in the growing AI market by expanding its data center capabilities. DigitalBridge's shares surged following the news, reflecting investor optimism about the potential deal. This move aligns with Softbank's broader investments in AI and technology sectors, signaling a significant expansion in its data infrastructure to support future AI developments.

German hackers are urging for 'digital independence days' to reduce reliance on US technology giants. The initiative, highlighted in a Euractiv article, calls for promoting European alternatives and open-source solutions to enhance digital sovereignty. This movement reflects growing concerns over data privacy, security, and economic dependence on American tech firms, aiming to foster a more balanced global tech landscape.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr argues that eliminating consumer protection rules, media consolidation restrictions, and corporate oversight will benefit everyone by reducing regulatory burdens and fostering innovation. He claims current regulations stifle competition and economic growth. The post critiques this perspective, suggesting it prioritizes corporate interests over public welfare and could lead to reduced consumer rights and increased media monopolies.

A study published in a scientific journal explores Norwegian attitudes toward automated vehicles. The research reveals that while Norwegians are generally open to the technology, they express significant concerns about safety, data privacy, and ethical decision-making in critical situations. The findings highlight a preference for gradual implementation and strong regulatory oversight, reflecting Norway's tech-savvy yet cautious approach to emerging transportation technologies.

A US veteran argues that Western nations should emulate Ukraine's approach to developing and deploying cost-effective ground robots for military use. The post highlights Ukraine's success in utilizing inexpensive, adaptable robotic systems in conflict, suggesting that Western militaries could benefit from similar strategies to enhance battlefield capabilities while controlling costs. The discussion emphasizes the importance of affordability and innovation in modern warfare.

Micro Center has listed an 8TB WD_Black SSD at $2,419 MSRP, representing a 50% price increase since October. This surge in pricing for high-capacity solid-state drives is attributed to growing demand from artificial intelligence applications, which require substantial storage for data processing and model training. The trend highlights how AI industry needs are impacting consumer hardware markets, making large-capacity storage solutions significantly more expensive.