Tech Report: Amazon raises pay, defense firms advance anti-drone tech,

Amazon announced it will invest more than $1 billion to boost wages and reduce healthcare costs for its U.S. fulfillment and transportation workers.

(LILAMAX)- Amazon announced it will invest more than $1 billion to boost wages and reduce healthcare costs for its U.S. fulfillment and transportation workers. The company said average total compensation will now exceed $30 an hour, including benefits. Base pay will rise to more than $23 an hour, with full-time employees seeing an average annual pay increase of $1,600. Beginning next year, Amazon will also cut the cost of its entry-level healthcare plan to $5 per week, with $5 co-pays.

In defense technology, Laser Photonics and its partner Fonon Technologies revealed their Laser Shield anti-drone system has been named a finalist in the Defense Innovation Challenge’s counter-unmanned aerial systems category. The technology will be showcased at the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit & Expo in November 2025. Fonon Vice President Bryan Lee said the system reflects unique advancements in drone defense. The recognition comes amid a $100 million Department of Homeland Security counter-drone procurement initiative.

Meanwhile, AI startup Druid AI has secured a $31 million investment to accelerate development of its agent-based AI platform. Unlike traditional chatbots, Druid’s platform enables autonomous agents to plan, act, and execute complex business processes. The company says its system delivers 98% first-response accuracy and has powered more than one billion conversations across thousands of agents.

On the transportation front, Alphabet’s Waymo announced plans to launch its robotaxi service in Nashville next year, marking its first commercial partnership with Lyft. Riders will be able to hail Waymo vehicles through either the Waymo One or Lyft apps. Waymo remains ahead of U.S. competitors, having already logged more than 10 million paid trips.