Volkswagen reportedly plans to cut 100,000 jobs

**Imran Shaikh** (0:00)
This episode is brought to you by Rise Robotics. Rise Robotics is one company you're gonna want to keep an eye on, and not just because they're making cool new technology, but because they're giving anyone and everyone a chance to invest in their company. And yeah, that includes you listening to this podcast right now. Know a little thing called hydraulics? You know, the thing keeping heavy machines functioning? Well, Rise Robotics has made an electric alternative, belt hydraulics. It'll replace current hydraulic systems, which often break and leak, with one that runs cleaner, faster and with less maintenance. Here's some things you might also find interesting about them. This is patented technology well out of the idea phase. I'm talking 20 plus patents and deals with the Pentagon over here. Oh, and Rise Robotics has already acquired over $9.3 million in revenue. Most importantly, Rise Robotics is giving anyone interested the opportunity to invest and become a part owner right now. If that's something you might be into, check them out at invest.riserobotics.com. You can read about the technology, see what they've built and decide of becoming a part owner of this company makes sense for you. Again, that's invest.riserobotics.com.
Volkswagen reportedly plans to cut 100,000 jobs. More on that coming up, but first, Samsung just announced it's going to start charging for SmartThings API access, which is the company's smart home automation platform. Most of these changes impact software developers and other commercial partners, but there is a way this could hit regular users in their wallets. Starting in October, there's going to be a $5 monthly plan for non-commercial individual developers. This won't impact people using the traditional SmartThings app to control any of the thousands of gadgets that automatically work with the platform. It does, however, apply to those who use third-party tools like Home Assistant to control their Samsung connected devices. It will also likely impact those with custom Smart Home controls, adding yet another monthly subscription fee to the pile.
And here's some space news!
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has found what NASA calls the two puffiest worlds ever found. While they're as big as our gas giants, they're so light and airy that their density is apparently comparable to cotton candy.
One of the planets, called TOI-791b, is nearly the same size as Jupiter, but only has 3% of its mass. Meanwhile, the second planet, called TOI-791c, is even larger than Jupiter, but only has 5.9% of its mass. The planets were discovered by a team led by George Dansfield of Oxford University's Department of Physics, who studied data provided by TESS. Dansfield said, We're only aware of a handful of super-puffy planets, and the fact that these two are in the same star system is even rarer. NASA Ames research scientist Steve Howell explained that large planet formation is believed to drive the evolution of planetary systems. So further study of these Jupiter-sized, but far less than Jupiter-mass, planets is of high value. Remember, you can find the latest Engadget news, reviews, price drops, and more right now at engadget.com.

**SPEAKER_2** (3:16)
Study and play. Come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the Unreal College Deal, everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium, and a year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn more at windows.com/studentoffer.
While supplies last, ends June 30th. Come back at aka.ms slash college PC.

**Imran Shaikh** (3:49)
Volkswagen, the auto giant that leads Europe in electric vehicle production, plans to cut 100,000 jobs or 15% of its global workforce at German plants over the coming years, Manager Magazine reported. The plan represents the automakers largest overhaul in its 89 year history. As part of the changes, Volkswagen will reportedly cease production at its Hanover, Zwickau, Emden and Audi Neckarslem plants. Zwickau in Saxony was recently converted to an electric car production site for six EV models across the company's VW, Audi and Cupra brands. That plant has seen multiple production pauses due to what the company has called weak demand for EVs. Volkswagen had previously laid out plans for 50,000 job cuts, citing Trump's tariffs and Chinese car sales at the time.
Volkswagen's unions agreed to those layoffs in a deal struck in late 2024, provided that the manufacturer didn't cut jobs further or close additional plants until at least 2030 However, VW has now escalated that significantly despite the agreement. The automakers unions and representative organizations pledged to fight the report of layoffs and plant closures.
Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Today's show featured journalism by Engadget contributor Steve Dent and was produced by Spoken Lair. I'm Imran Shaikh, and as always, we'll talk more tomorrow.