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Tesla Cybercab Showcases Accessibility Features for Blind Riders at National Convention
AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla’s futuristic Cybercab robotaxi is being designed with the needs of blind and visually impaired passengers in mind, Elon Musk said Monday as the company demonstrated the vehicle’s accessibility features at the National Federation of the Blind’s annual convention.
Musk, Tesla’s CEO, reposted images and details from the demonstration, writing simply: “Making sure Cybercab meets the needs of the blind.” The post accompanied photos showing blind attendees interacting with the vehicle, including one using a white cane to approach the open door of a gold-colored Cybercab and another seated inside with a service dog.
The event in Austin, running from July 3 to 8, provided hands-on experiences for attendees to test the Cybercab’s features tailored for blind or visually impaired customers. According to the Tesla Robotaxi account, these include Braille lettering on physical controls, dedicated space for service animals and assistive devices, and seating at wheelchair height for easier transfers.
The demonstration comes as Tesla advances its autonomous vehicle ambitions. The Cybercab, a two-seater purpose-built robotaxi unveiled in 2024, lacks a steering wheel or pedals and is intended for unsupervised full self-driving operation. Production is slated to ramp up in 2026, with the company positioning it as a key part of a future ride-hailing network.
Accessibility at the Core
Tesla’s focus on inclusive design addresses a significant portion of the population often underserved by traditional transportation. In the United States, approximately 2.2 million people are blind or have significant vision impairment that affects daily mobility, according to health data. For many, reliable, independent transportation remains a major barrier to employment, social engagement and daily life.
At the convention, blind participants explored the vehicle firsthand. Images released showed a man with a white cane standing beside the Cybercab, hand extended toward the vehicle, while another photo captured a passenger comfortably seated with his service dog, highlighting the practical accommodations.
A promotional image featured Braille text integrated into Cybercab marketing materials alongside the vehicle’s sleek design, emphasizing “Download the App, Take Your Ride” in both print and tactile formats.
Interior views revealed thoughtful details, such as easily reachable controls with Braille indicators. One image showed a hand interacting with an overhead control panel, demonstrating intuitive placement for users who rely on touch.
Tesla has not released a full technical specification for the accessibility suite, but the demonstrations suggest integration of voice guidance, haptic feedback and physical markers to ensure safe and independent use.
Broader Implications for Autonomy
The emphasis on accessibility aligns with Tesla’s long-stated goal of making Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology transformative for those unable to operate conventional vehicles. Musk and Tesla executives have previously described robotaxis as a means to provide mobility freedom to the elderly, disabled and others without driver’s licenses.
Industry observers note that successful integration of such features could set a new standard for autonomous vehicles. Competitors like Waymo have also incorporated accessibility considerations, but Tesla’s dedicated Cybercab platform offers unique opportunities for purpose-built design.
The National Federation of the Blind, a leading advocacy organization, hosts its convention as a major gathering for training, networking and technology exploration. This year’s event in Austin drew thousands, providing Tesla an ideal venue to gather direct feedback from the blind community.
Feedback from attendees and online reactions highlighted the potential life-changing impact. Users shared stories of family members with vision loss who could gain greater independence through reliable autonomous transport. One commenter noted the excitement a blind rideshare passenger expressed upon learning about future robotaxi options.
Technical and Regulatory Context
Tesla’s Cybercab builds on the company’s extensive real-world data from millions of miles driven under its FSD program. The vehicle features advanced camera systems, neural network processing and over-the-air updates designed to improve performance continuously.
Regulatory hurdles remain for widespread unsupervised robotaxi deployment. Tesla continues to work with authorities in various states, with Texas serving as a key testing ground given the company’s presence at Giga Texas.
Production timelines point to volume manufacturing beginning in 2026 at facilities in Texas. Tesla aims to produce the vehicles at a cost that supports affordable ride-hailing services, with earlier projections suggesting prices under $30,000 per unit, though final figures have not been confirmed.
Challenges include ensuring robust performance across diverse conditions, cybersecurity for connected vehicles, and public trust in fully autonomous systems without human fallback.
Industry Reactions and Future Outlook
The demonstration has drawn positive attention for its thoughtful approach to universal design. Advocates praised the inclusion of service animal space and tactile interfaces as examples of proactive accessibility rather than afterthoughts.
As autonomous technology evolves, experts predict greater emphasis on inclusive features. Standards from organizations like the American National Standards Institute and input from disability rights groups are likely to influence future vehicle regulations.
Tesla’s move also reflects broader trends in the tech industry toward equitable AI and robotics applications. Musk’s companies, including Neuralink for brain-computer interfaces, often highlight potential benefits for people with disabilities.
For the blind community, the Cybercab represents more than convenience. Reliable, on-demand transportation could reduce dependence on paratransit services, which frequently face delays and availability issues, and open new opportunities for work and leisure.
Ongoing Development
Tesla has not detailed exact timelines for Cybercab availability to the public or specific accessibility rollout plans beyond the demonstration. The company typically iterates rapidly based on data and user input.
Musk’s personal involvement in highlighting the accessibility efforts underscores the priority placed on this aspect of the project. His post amplified the Robotaxi account’s message, reaching a wide audience and sparking discussions about the societal benefits of autonomous vehicles.
As testing continues and production approaches, Tesla is expected to provide more comprehensive information on safety protocols, app integration for booking and navigation assistance tailored for blind users.
The Austin convention demonstration marks a visible step in Tesla’s journey toward inclusive autonomy. While technical and regulatory challenges persist, the focus on meeting diverse user needs could help define the next era of personal transportation.
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Marta Kostyuk Beats Ashlyn Krueger 6-4, 6-4 to Reach First-Ever Wimbledon Quarterfinal in Straight Sets
LONDON — Marta Kostyuk defeated American Ashlyn Krueger 6-4, 6-4 on Monday to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal, continuing a breakout season for the Ukrainian that has now seen her advance to the fourth round or better at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
The match, played on No. 2 Court, pitted the No. 13-seeded Kostyuk against Krueger, an American ranked outside the top 100 who had been enjoying the best run of her career on grass. Kostyuk used her aggressive baseline game and sharp return of serve to overcome a confident Krueger, closing out the win in straight sets to book a spot in her first Wimbledon quarterfinal.
The victory extended what has become one of the more remarkable turnarounds on the WTA Tour this season. Kostyuk has now won 19 of her last 20 matches, a stretch that included a run to the semifinals at Roland Garros earlier this year, a tournament where she memorably ended four-time champion Iga Swiatek’s run in the earliest French Open exit of Swiatek’s career in seven years. Kostyuk entered Wimbledon with a modest 19-19 career record on grass and had previously never advanced past the third round at the All England Club, a surface she has openly said used to feel like her worst.
Kostyuk’s win over Krueger followed a hard-fought third-round victory over American Emma Navarro, whom Kostyuk beat 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 after saving four of five break points she faced. That win was particularly significant given that Navarro had beaten Kostyuk in all four of their previous meetings. Reflecting on her run to the fourth round after that match, Kostyuk said she had never expected to reach that stage of the tournament, adding that regardless of the outcome, the most important thing was to enjoy the experience fully.
Kostyuk has also been candid about her prior struggles on grass, saying she had played what she described as horrendous tennis at Wimbledon in previous years and had never been able to find her form on the surface at any level of tournament, whether at the majors or smaller grass-court events. She noted that even in the lead-up to this year’s tournament, she had lost most of her practice sets, including matches against Serena Williams and Jessica Pegula, before turning her form around once the event began.
With Monday’s win, the 24-year-old Kostyuk moved into rarefied statistical territory. According to tournament statistics provider Opta, she became just the fourth player born in the 2000s to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal on all three major surfaces, hard court, clay and grass, joining Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova and Coco Gauff as the only players born in that decade to have accomplished the feat. The result also pushed Kostyuk to the brink of a maiden top-10 ranking, with her live ranking rising to No. 11, just 194 points behind the current No. 10, Victoria Mboko, who withdrew from this year’s Wimbledon due to a knee injury sustained at the Queen’s Club tournament.
For Krueger, the loss ended what had already been the best Grand Slam result of her career. Having reached the fourth round of a major for the first time, Krueger arrived at Wimbledon on the back of a 16-1 record on grass this season, a stretch that included winning the WTA 125 title in Ilkley and reaching the semifinals in Birmingham. Her run through the tournament included straight-set wins over Mariam Bolkvadze and Daria Snigur, along with a tighter three-set victory over 2024 semifinalist Donna Vekic in her opening match.
Monday’s meeting marked the second career encounter between the two players. Krueger had won their first meeting in straight sets at a hard-court tournament in Adelaide in 2025, a result that briefly gave her the edge in their head-to-head series. Kostyuk’s win on Monday evened that record and marked a significant statement given the difference in surface and stakes between the two matchups.
Krueger’s run through the tournament had drawn attention in part because she began the year outside the top 100 after failing to defend key ranking points from the previous season. Her performances on grass this year, capped by her deepest Grand Slam run to date, are expected to lift her ranking closer to the top 60 in the coming weeks, even after Monday’s defeat.
Kostyuk will next face the winner of a separate fourth-round match between Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the No. 13 seed, and Filipino player Alexandra Eala, the No. 29 seed, as she continues her push toward a first Wimbledon semifinal appearance. Her run this fortnight has established her as one of the more credible outsiders remaining in a wide-open women’s draw, following her breakthrough run to the semifinals in Paris earlier this season.
The result continues a trend of deep runs for Kostyuk across each of the sport’s four majors this year, a consistency that has become a defining feature of her 2026 season. Having entered the year without a clear signature surface, she now finds herself with credible results on all three, a development that has repositioned her as a genuine contender heading into the latter stages of the year’s grass-court major.
Play at Wimbledon continues through the remainder of the week, with the men’s and women’s quarterfinals set to further narrow the field as the tournament moves toward its concluding rounds later this month.
Business
Buckingham Palace Withdraws Offer for Prince Harry to Stay There During This Week’s Visit to London Amid Row
LONDON — Buckingham Palace confirmed Monday that Prince Harry will not be staying at the royal residence during his visit to London this week, contradicting an earlier statement from the Duke of Sussex’s team that said he had accepted an offer to do so, in the latest episode of confusion and mutual finger-pointing between the two camps.
According to a royal source, Harry had not formally responded to King Charles’ offer of accommodation at a royal residence by the required deadline, which fell at the end of last week. The source said an initial offer for a royal residence to accommodate the wider Sussex family was turned down on Saturday, before a separate request came in for Harry to stay by himself. By that point, the source said, it was too late to arrange the appropriate hospitality and staffing needed to host him, a requirement the palace says applies to any guest staying at one of its residences.
Harry’s spokesperson offered a different account of events. In a statement, the spokesperson said that following a decision by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as RAVEC, not to provide taxpayer-funded security for his family, the duke spent last week arranging alternative security measures. Once those arrangements were finalized, the spokesperson said, Harry was able to formally accept the accommodation offer over the weekend. The spokesperson called it “disappointing” that the offer had since been withdrawn, noting that Buckingham Palace had cited a Tuesday court judgment as a reason for the reversal despite having been aware of the judgment’s timing since the previous Thursday. “It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment,” the spokesperson said.
Palace sources have also pointed to sensitivities surrounding the timing of a High Court judgment expected this week in a long-running legal case Harry brought against the publisher of the Daily Mail, alongside other claimants including Elton John, Sadie Frost, Elizabeth Hurley and Baroness Doreen Lawrence. Sources close to the palace have suggested concerns about Harry staying at a royal residence on the same day that judgment is handed down, saying the King cannot appear to be compromised in relation to the ongoing litigation.
The back-and-forth has drawn attention to what several outlets have described as a pattern of poor communication and mutual distrust between the Sussex team and Buckingham Palace, a dynamic that has persisted since Harry and his wife, Meghan, stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Multiple British media outlets reported earlier Monday, citing Harry’s spokesperson, that the duke had accepted the palace’s invitation, only for palace sources to push back within hours and say the acceptance had come too late to be honored.
The dispute has also become fodder for public commentary. Royal commentator Dan Wootton wrote on the social media platform X that King Charles was “absolutely right to say no to Prince Harry (and Meghan Markle especially) staying in Buckingham Palace,” adding that “the door must now be slammed shut.” Wootton, whose remarks reflect his own characterization of the situation rather than an official palace position, further wrote that Harry and Meghan had made unfounded allegations of racism in an effort to undermine the royal family and that, in his view, their public actions have repeatedly generated controversy. Wootton’s comments represent one vocal perspective among many being expressed publicly as the story has developed, and they have not been endorsed by Buckingham Palace or any official royal spokesperson.
Harry is traveling to the United Kingdom this week to mark the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games, the Paralympic-style sporting competition for injured and ill servicemen and veterans that he founded more than a decade ago, along with a series of other charity engagements planned across London and the Midlands. It had already been confirmed, separately from the accommodation dispute, that Harry would travel without Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, following the RAVEC decision not to provide the family with police protection funded by taxpayers during their visits to the UK. It remains possible that Meghan could join Harry later in the week in Birmingham for events tied to the Invictus Games countdown, according to reporting on his travel plans.
The accommodation dispute has added further uncertainty to the question of whether Harry will meet with his father during the visit, a meeting that had reportedly been under discussion before the disagreement over lodging emerged. It also remains unclear whether King Charles will have the opportunity to see his two grandchildren, now ages seven and five, whom he has reportedly not seen in person in roughly four years, should Meghan and the children ultimately join Harry later in the trip.
Harry and Meghan were last together in the United Kingdom in 2022 for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Since stepping back from their roles as senior working royals that same year, the couple has largely resided in the United States, making periodic visits to the UK for specific engagements, court proceedings and family events, several of which have similarly been marked by public disagreements over security arrangements and other logistical matters.
As of Monday, neither Buckingham Palace nor representatives for Harry had indicated whether the dispute over accommodation would affect the broader schedule of his visit this week, including his planned charity engagements and any potential meeting with the King. Both sides have continued to offer contrasting accounts of how the accommodation offer was extended, accepted and ultimately withdrawn, with no clear indication that either party intends to publicly revise its version of events in the immediate aftermath of Monday’s statements.
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Versant to buy golf simulator company Full Swing for $530 million
Mark Lazarus, chief executive officer of Versant, at the Semafor World Economy Summit during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Aaron Schwartz | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Versant Media Group, the owner of cable networks including CNBC, MS Now and the Golf Channel, has agreed to acquire golf simulation company Full Swing from private equity firm Bruin Capital for about $530 million in cash.
The deal follows a template CEO Mark Lazarus has outlined to investors since Versant began trading as a public company in January following its spinout from Comcast.
Versant has been investing in non-traditional media businesses that broaden the scope of the brands it already owns. Earlier this year, the company acquired StockStory, an AI-powered tech platform that provides financial analysis, market insights, and stock recommendations, for CNBC.
The company’s golf business already owns digital media platform GolfPass and tee-time reservation company GolfNow.
In May, Versant reported that revenue for its platforms business, which includes GolfNow, Fandango and some recently launched direct-to-consumer units, was up 9.5% to $192 million. The company has called out its growth in its news and sports units. Executives have said they aim to rebalance Versant’s revenue mix so that eventually 50% of it is derived from digital, platform, subscription, ad-supported and transactional businesses.
“Full Swing is exactly the kind of strategic platform that reflects how we are building Versant:
investing in our core markets, extending the reach of our iconic brands and creating new ways to serve passionate audiences,” Lazarus said in a statement.
Full Swing develops and sells golf and baseball simulators for consumers, sporting goods stores and athletic training facilities. Both recreational and professional athletes use the technology. Bruin Capital purchased Full Swing in 2021 for $160 million, Sportico reported at the time.
“Joining Versant gives us the scale and distribution to bring our technology to even more golfers, athletes and fans,” Full Swing CEO Ryan Dotters said in the statement. Dotters will stay at Versant, and will report to Will McIntosh, president of digital platforms and ventures.
The transaction should close before Dec. 31, the companies said in a statement.
— CNBC’s Lillian Rizzo contributed to this article.
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