Construction firm Alquist is on the brink of revolutionizing the commercial building sector by preparing to 3D print over a dozen new Walmart stores, among various structures for prominent retailers. This initiative could signal one of the most significant applications of 3D-printing technology in commercial real estate to date. Although the residential construction sector has embraced this technology, its adoption in commercial projects has remained limited due to the size of the required 3D printers. Alquist’s venture indicates a pivotal shift toward the broader utilization of 3D printing in large-scale construction.
In other news, Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is hosting its inaugural “Autonomy and AI Day” aimed at showcasing its proprietary software and upcoming technological advancements. The company is under pressure to highlight its long-term growth prospects as it navigates a slowdown in electric vehicle sales. Despite its stock price having risen 33% this year, it remains down nearly 80% from the peak following its 2021 IPO.
Meanwhile, in the streaming landscape, YouTube TV is introducing more flexible subscription options, including a new sports-centric plan. This restructuring aims to provide viewers with greater control over their subscription costs by offering both general entertainment packages and genre-specific options such as news and family programming. Recent Nielsen reports indicate that YouTube TV has now secured the largest share of TV viewing in the U.S., overtaking traditional cable networks as well as rivals like Netflix and Disney.
Lastly, a proposed $700 million settlement from Google might see millions of consumers automatically receiving payments. This agreement affects users who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023. Unlike many other class-action settlements, most eligible users will not need to file a claim. Payments are set to be automatically disbursed via PayPal or Venmo upon final court approval, anticipated for next spring, using the email or phone number associated with the user’s Google Play account.