This Week's Latest Tech News in Riverside, CA - Sunday April 27th 2025 Edition

Riverside’s tech sector is truly at a pivotal moment in 2025, fueled by rapid growth and community collaboration. The city's tech sector is growing at a record 35.1% this year, adding 4,600 new jobs and seeing average tech salaries reach $82,000 according to the latest industry updates.

Local momentum comes not only from robotics at UC Riverside but is deepened by initiatives like the new Innovation Hub unifying entrepreneurial support and accelerators, and strong investments in smart city infrastructure and sustainability.

The region’s innovation ecosystem stands out for nurturing startups through programs such as ExCITE Tech Incubator and competitions like the Riverside Regional Fast Pitch, which underline a focus on inclusion and business mentorship.

Three trends stand front and center in Riverside this year:

• Robotics & Automation: University advancements, including support for faculty and student entrepreneurs, are expanding patent portfolios and producing homegrown startups at UC Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships.
• Investment & Job Growth: Venture capital is expected to hit $500 million, while events foster community engagement and government initiatives emphasize workforce development in Riverside’s Innovation Month.
• Regulation & Education: With increased cybersecurity measures, AI policies, and accessible tech training, Riverside is balancing growth with responsibility in a region poised for high-paying tech roles.

Riverside’s emphasis on innovation, support for startups, and responsible tech policy offers both opportunities and stability for local professionals and entrepreneurs.

UC Riverside’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is advancing the field of robotics by taking inspiration from the way nematode worms move. Instead of relying solely on traditional methods, the latest “bouncing bot” design adopts a biomimetic approach - mirroring the highly adaptive, legless locomotion of nematodes documented by research teams at Georgia Tech.

The robot’s flexible silicone rod, reinforced with carbon fiber, is modeled after nematodes’ ability to create a “kink” in their bodies to store and rapidly release energy, enabling both forward and backward jumps of up to 10 feet despite having no legs.

This kink-based motion, thoroughly studied with high-speed video by researchers like Christopher Jackson, allows the robot to adjust its center of mass and direction with each leap, improving its capacity to traverse cluttered or unpredictable terrain such as disaster zones or collapsed buildings - conditions often encountered in real-world rescue operations (ScienceDaily coverage of nematode-inspired jumping robots).

Key Features of the Nematode-Inspired Robot:

• Flexible construction: The robot uses a soft silicone frame combined with a carbon-fiber spine, providing flexibility and effective energy release.
• Powerful jumps from potential energy: Motion is generated by storing potential energy in “kinks,” then releasing it in milliseconds for powerful jumps.
• Autonomous direction control: An autonomous mechanism directs leaps in multiple directions, aiding navigation across complex terrains.

Potential Real-World Applications:

1. Search and Rescue: The robot can traverse earthquake rubble or collapsed structures, where conventional robots struggle and human access is limited (Technology Networks article on soft robots in unpredictable terrain).
2. Environmental Exploration: It can survey hazardous environments like cave systems using robust and repeatable jumps.
3. Medical Robotics: Insights from nematode mechanics may support future miniaturization for targeted therapy or minimally invasive intervention.

Comparative studies show that this innovative soft robot achieves higher obstacle navigation rates and better self-recovery than standard rigid robots.

By working in collaboration with institutions such as Georgia Tech and leveraging research on energy-efficient “kink” mechanics (Georgia Tech’s engineering news), UC Riverside is strengthening Riverside’s reputation as a center for robotics research and practical innovation.

The volatility facing the “Magnificent Seven” tech companies - Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla - continues to send shockwaves that reach well beyond Wall Street and into Riverside’s daily economic life.

In early April 2025, these tech giants collectively lost over $1 trillion in market value in a single trading session, triggered by the rollout of new U.S. tariffs that increase costs for firms operating global supply chains.

Major names like Apple and Amazon suffered steep losses exceeding 9% in one day, with the disruption partly fueled by concerns over escalating international trade barriers and uncertainty about the future of key technology exports and imports (CNBC report).

This instability matters locally: jobs and business revenues in Riverside - especially in logistics, cloud services, and manufacturing - are tightly linked to big tech’s performance, as these companies push through cost adjustments that can affect Inland Southern California’s workforce.

Several powerful headwinds stand out:

• Tariffs and Supply Chain Pressure: Tariffs raise operational expenses for tech-related imports and exports, challenging long-term investments and offshore production capabilities (Yahoo Finance analysis).
• High Valuations and Investor Sentiment: Despite sharp price drops, stocks trade at high valuations compared to the broader market, increasing risk of additional selloffs and future growth uncertainty (Money Talks News insight).
• AI Investment vs. Profitability: Heavy AI spending raises costs and intensifies competition, greatly influencing regional tech startups and the Riverside small business community.

For Riverside businesses, the impact is direct: nearly four in ten tech-adjacent employers have implemented hiring slowdowns, wage freezes, or postponed expansion.

The tech sector’s rapid shifts are forcing local companies and workers to adapt quickly, upskill, and keep a close watch on global trends that can quickly reshape the job market in the Inland Empire.

Amazon’s Zoox robotaxis are making significant moves in Southern California, starting with data collection and supervised testing in Los Angeles this spring and summer.

Zoox is deploying manually operated Toyota Highlanders, equipped with mapping and autonomous systems, to pave the way for future fully driverless vehicle launches.

Although rides for the public aren’t available yet in LA, Zoox aims to introduce its purpose-built robotaxis - offering a no-steering-wheel, bi-directional “living room on wheels” experience - in Las Vegas and San Francisco later in 2025, with further expansion across the region anticipated in the following years.

The company’s approach includes gathering extensive local data, advancing safety procedures, and working within defined city zones before considering wider service areas such as Riverside and the Inland Empire source. Southern California has quickly become a crucial testing ground for robotaxi technology, competing with established players like Waymo.

Waymo’s commercial robotaxi service is already operating in Los Angeles, while Zoox is building the foundational safety and regulatory groundwork required for their own launch.

Zoox’s robotaxis incorporate over 100 safety innovations and undergo continuous collaboration with local emergency responders to ensure readiness and reliability.

The company’s long-term strategy includes scaling up test fleets, enhancing mapping, and preparing for commercial ride-hailing as soon as possible, with an eye toward connecting more cities, including potential expansion into the Inland Empire - reflecting a cautious yet deliberate approach to growth details here.

• Reduced congestion: If Zoox expands to Riverside, we can expect less traffic and a smoother commute for everyone.
• Improved access: Autonomous tech will offer new opportunities for non-drivers to get around the city.
• Job creation: The arrival of robotaxis may lead to new roles in fleet support and data analysis.
• Broader participation: Local residents, like Sarah Lee, will be able to engage in autonomous transport trials.

As Zoox’s expansion continues, local residents, students, and business owners should keep an eye on updates - the groundwork in Los Angeles is setting the stage for the Inland Empire’s own autonomous future.

To follow Zoox’s current LA testing and broader U.S. plans, you can read more from recent industry coverage here.

City	Status	Expected Launch
Los Angeles	Testing & Data Collection	2025
San Francisco	Robotaxi Launch Planned	Late 2025
Riverside	Evaluation Phase	TBD

AI regulation took center stage this week as San Diego's City Council voted 8-1 to ban the use, sale, and licensing of automated rent-setting software - such as RealPage’s algorithmic tools - designed to recommend rental rates and occupancy levels.

This move, which follows similar ordinances in San Francisco and Philadelphia, aims to address evidence that these platforms have raised local rents by an additional $99 per month as a result of so-called "digital collusion" among landlords, rather than the previously cited higher percentages.

The ordinance allows tenants who learn their landlord is using prohibited algorithmic pricing to seek damages up to $1,000, a policy reflecting ongoing legal scrutiny nationwide, including a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice and the California Attorney General against RealPage and several landlords.

• Local government action: The San Diego City Council’s 8-1 vote targets AI-driven rent-setting software to curb digital collusion and unsanctioned rental price hikes.
• Tenant protections: Tenants can now seek damages of up to $1,000 if landlords use banned algorithmic pricing tools.
• Statewide regulatory momentum: Senate Bill 52, not AB 2788, could ban rent-setting algorithms across California and lets renters sue for violations, mirroring efforts in other states and industries.
• Landlord warnings: Property owners are warned against using private competitor data when setting rents - a practice affecting 22% of multifamily units in San Diego County as of 2024.

For more on these regulatory efforts and how they affect local renters and property owners, see the coverage from NBC San Diego, this summary from GlobeSt, and background context via the latest CalMatters report.

Senate Bill 52 is part of a suite of proposed bills targeting algorithmic price discrimination across industries, underscoring California’s national leadership in AI regulation.

Against this policy backdrop, Riverside recognized Earth Day 2025 with a forum at UC Riverside examining both the promise and costs of AI for sustainability.

AI Application	Main Benefit	Potential Drawback
Building Management Systems	Substantial energy savings in large complexes	Reliance on AI infrastructure increases vulnerability
Smart Grid Optimization	Enhanced grid efficiency	Greater energy demand from data centers
Automated Waste Sorting	Improved resource recovery rates	Environmental toll of training large models

• AI-powered building management: Systems offer substantial energy savings in large housing complexes.
• Data center energy demands: The energy needs of data centers remain a growing concern for California’s electric grid.
• Expert advice: UC Riverside experts called for clear safeguards and a focus on community values.

Thomas Thomas, a sustainability speaker at the forum, stressed the importance of balancing AI innovation with responsible environmental stewardship.

The next several months will be crucial for Riverside as it finds equilibrium between technological progress in housing regulation and a commitment to environmental sustainability.

The political landscape in Riverside took a notable turn as Sheriff Chad Bianco officially announced his run for California governor, highlighting an intersection between law enforcement leadership and state policy at a pivotal moment.

Bianco, already a high-profile figure for his strong positions on public safety and criticism of past state leadership, used his launch event to focus on issues like affordability, crime, and the role of technology in modern policing.

While his campaign platform emphasizes safer and more affordable communities, Bianco also discusses upgrading public safety measures with technology - reflecting demands from local residents for more effective solutions amid ongoing staffing and digital security concerns.

• Technology investment is a key theme: Riverside is currently allocating only about 7.5% of its public safety budget to technology, which is below the California mean of 12%, according to recent county records.
• Campaign focus on modern tools: Bianco pledges investments in universal body cameras, AI-driven analytics, and stronger cybersecurity protections to close the gap.
• Practical, county-level improvements: The campaign centers on boosting resources for digital case management and real-time emergency communication systems - seen as vital for restoring public confidence and safety.

Bianco’s campaign draws on recent reforms as sheriff, where he’s both received praise for fiscal efficiency and faced scrutiny over jail conditions and civil rights investigations.

Critics point out his conservative alignment and past association with controversial groups, but supporters, like Lisa Anderson, say his commitment to “getting California done right” offers a new direction.

Other top gubernatorial hopefuls such as Katie Porter and Steve Hilton outline broader plans touching on broadband and education technology, but Bianco’s concrete focus on law enforcement technology keeps his campaign rooted in Riverside’s immediate needs.

Candidate	Main Focus	Technology Priority
Chad Bianco	Law Enforcement/Public Safety	Body Cameras, AI Analytics, Cybersecurity
Katie Porter	Broadband Access	Education Tech, Internet Expansion
Steve Hilton	General Reform	Diverse Tech Initiatives

For a deeper look at his policy focus, public response, and context around his campaign, see writeups from The Desert Sun, Los Angeles Times, and a broader analysis in CalMatters.

Riverside’s approach to technology and public safety, led by Bianco’s campaign proposals, could shape statewide priorities in the coming election cycle.

Recent investigations have deepened concerns about Riverside County jails, revealing systemic problems that go far beyond outdated technology. From 2020 to 2023, Riverside County recorded the highest homicide rate among large California jails, with recurring security failures and understaffing magnifying the risks for both inmates and staff.

Multiple reports indicate that after Sheriff Chad Bianco reduced training requirements and the number of sworn deputies dropped drastically, inexperienced guards struggled to conduct timely security checks and respond to incidents effectively.

• Security failures and understaffing significantly increased risks for inmates and staff, highlighting vulnerabilities in the jail system.
• Reduced training and staff levels led to inexperienced guards, causing delayed responses and inadequate security checks.
• Improper inmate pairing and delayed emergency responses contributed to a surge in violence and a record 19 deaths in 2022 alone, many involving people still awaiting trial (Desert Sun/New York Times investigation).
• Accountability issues arose, as some surveillance footage and incident records contained errors or omissions, complicating transparency efforts.

Calls for reform have grown amid these developments, with advocacy groups urging the county to establish independent oversight boards and consider separating the coroner and sheriff roles to avoid potential conflicts of interest in jail death investigations (CalMatters coverage).

• Lawsuits from families of those who died in custody have accumulated, costing the county over $13 million in settlements and prompting a formal civil rights review by the California Department of Justice (inewsource report).
• Modernization of surveillance and incident tracking, along with better staffing and recruitment, are seen as essential steps toward lasting change.
• Restoring trust and ensuring safety for all remain the central goals of proposed reforms.

Year	Number of Jail Deaths	Settlement Costs
2022	19	$6 million
2023	14	$7.4 million

Sarah Gonzalez, Barbara Rodriguez, and Jessica Harris all voiced support for independent oversight and comprehensive reforms, aiming not only for internal change but also for restored trust and safer outcomes for everyone involved.

Riverside’s housing market is evolving with the arrival of new smart homes, as shown by the recent grand opening of Century Communities’ Emberwood townhome community on April 26, 2025.

Unlike typical single-family offerings, Emberwood introduces modern two-story townhomes, each starting from the $500,000s and equipped with integrated smart-home features included through the Century Home Connect system.

These homes come with hands-free security, remote door management, smart thermostats, and energy-saving technologies managed through a single app - a setup further supported by professional installation and support services for residents.

The grand opening event offered tours of professionally decorated model homes and showcased neighborhood amenities like a dog park, playground, fire pit, and picnic areas, all situated near the 91 Freeway and across from Arlington High School, emphasizing convenience and connectivity for homeowners.

For more details on the grand opening, visit the full announcement.

• Advanced amenities: The modern two-story townhomes offer residents innovative features and a lifestyle upgrade with integrated smart-home technologies.
• Smart home management: Homeowners enjoy convenience and oversight via the Century Home Connect system, providing hands-free security and centralized control.
• Community experience: Shared spaces like dog parks and picnic areas enhance the sense of community while meeting modern needs.

These smart-home features are more than just conveniences - they contribute to enhanced safety, energy savings, and everyday comfort.

• Energy efficiency: Technologies such as energy-efficient appliances and smart thermostats are now standard in new local developments.
• Growing demand: The popularity of connected home features continues to rise, spotlighting smart-home integration as a key homebuyer priority in Riverside.
• Buyer advantages: With no Mello-Roos taxes and online buying options, Emberwood streamlines the process for tech-savvy buyers. Find more information on location and offerings.

Main Feature	Resident Benefit	Example
Hands-free Security	Increased safety and peace of mind	Smart locks managed via app
Energy-Saving Technologies	Lower utility bills and eco-friendly living	Smart thermostats, efficient appliances
Community Amenities	Convenience and recreation for all	Dog park, playground, picnic areas

With builders like Century Communities adopting innovative home technology, Riverside residents now have access to homes that support both sustainability and a connected lifestyle.

This shift marks a step forward for smart housing in the region, reflecting the changing expectations of homebuyers and the positive impact of thoughtful tech integration in daily living.

Recent cybersecurity incidents in the Bay Area are a timely reminder of just how vulnerable smart city infrastructure can be, even in places we might not expect - like crosswalk signals.

In April 2025, hackers managed to compromise crosswalk systems in cities such as Palo Alto, Redwood City, and Menlo Park, reprogramming them to play AI-generated messages mimicking the voices of tech leaders like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

While the hacks were largely seen as pranks, they exposed real gaps in system security, revealing that many of these crosswalks relied on outdated software, had default passwords, or lacked adequate encryption - weak points that could be easily exploited by anyone with basic technical skills.

This situation resulted in the disabling of audio pedestrian features at multiple intersections until proper repairs and security checks could be made, but thankfully, no physical harm occurred.

Security experts, including Barbara Jackson, pointed out that the prank highlighted a broader issue surrounding the security of public infrastructure and the need for stronger digital safeguards as urban systems become increasingly connected across the Bay Area, as reported by regional news outlets, and by eyewitnesses and city officials.

For Riverside, where similar technologies like adaptive traffic lights and smart sensors are being deployed, this serves as a clear call to action. Experts now emphasize the importance of regular firmware updates, enforcing strong authentication (not just relying on default settings), and employing network encryption to protect communications.

The table below summarizes these vulnerabilities and what can be done to address them. As Riverside continues to modernize, prioritizing cybersecurity alongside physical maintenance will help ensure residents' safety as our city evolves.

Vulnerability	Bay Area Example	Proactive Measure
Unpatched Software	Crosswalk signals manipulated remotely	Regular firmware updates
No Network Encryption	Intercepted wireless commands	Use of end-to-end encryption
Weak Authentication	Unauthorized access via default passwords	Multi-factor authentication

Experts recommend Riverside adopt a three-step defense strategy:

• Audit legacy systems: Conduct comprehensive audits of smart infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities and update protection methods, as recommended by Richard Thomas.
• Upgrade monitoring: Prioritize investments in centralized monitoring and advanced threat detection platforms for increased visibility.
• Run cyber drills: Engage public safety officials in simulated attacks using cyber drills focused on traffic system breaches to improve preparedness.

Quote from the Department of Homeland Security: “The more connected a city becomes, the more critical its cybersecurity posture is to everyday safety.”

As Riverside plans new smart infrastructure rollouts, these lessons are a timely reminder: digital vigilance is as important as physical maintenance to keep residents safe in a rapidly digitizing world.

Riverside, CA continues to advance tech empowerment for its youth, focusing on both digital safety and broadening access to STEM learning opportunities.

In 2025, students from Riverside Unified and Alvord Unified School Districts actively engaged in anti-scam training as part of community-wide efforts to tackle online fraud - an issue that, according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, stole over $1 trillion worldwide in the past year, with nearly half of global consumers encountering scams weekly.

Local families gained free access to specialized educational sessions such as the Riverside County IHSS Public Authority’s Anti-Fraud and Scams Presentation, which teach how to recognize phishing, avoid social media traps, and respond to suspicious communications.

This training is vital, especially as artificial intelligence becomes a common tool in scam tactics, leaving many unsure whether they are being targeted by advanced fraud.

Globally, just 4% of scam victims recover their losses, emphasizing the importance of prevention and the need for collaborative education and awareness.

Riverside youth are also benefiting from major STEAM investments thanks to the Lawrence Livermore National Security Community Gift Program, which recently awarded $220,000 across 44 programs, including local organizations supporting science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Projects like after-school robotics clubs, coding camps, and science workshops reach K-12 students, with special efforts for underrepresented and Title I schools.

These grants reflect an ongoing commitment to foster technical skills, creativity, and future workforce readiness. Organizations such as those supporting robotics, mentoring, and hands-on STEM learning are highlighted among recipients - learn more about the funded projects and their educational reach here.

Riverside’s strategy - combining scam prevention training with STEAM advancement - shows how coordinated community and grant support are creating safer, smarter tech users and future innovators.

• Digital Safety Initiatives: Nancy Jackson leads anti-scam training sessions to teach families how to recognize and respond to online fraud, ensuring safer technology use.
• STEAM Funding Multiply Opportunities: Jennifer Miller oversees the distribution of grants, supporting after-school robotics, coding camps, and science workshops for K-12 students.
• Inclusive Education: Joseph Johnson coordinates efforts to reach underrepresented and Title I schools, fostering creative and technical skills development.

Initiative	Main Advocate	Key Impact
Anti-Scam Training	Nancy Jackson	Enhanced family and student cyber awareness
STEAM Grants	Jennifer Miller	Expanded STEM access for youth
Inclusive Outreach	Joseph Johnson	Diverse participation in hands-on learning

Riverside’s tech empowerment strategy is a model of how local communities can blend prevention education with forward-thinking STEAM investment, ensuring both digital safety and innovative growth for the next generation.

Riverside County is navigating the digital shift in real estate by hosting its annual 2025 tax auction entirely online, with 389 tax-defaulted properties slated for bidding between April 24 and April 29.

Facilitated through the Bid4Assets platform, the auction offers various property types including single-family homes, vacant parcels, and commercial lots.

• Online auctions are now a routine practice for the county, widening access and helping generate funds to support local services affected by unpaid taxes - this year’s properties represent over $8.35 million in unpaid taxes.
• To participate, prospective bidders must register on Bid4Assets, submit a $5,000 refundable deposit (plus a $35 processing fee), and provide vesting information; deposits are accepted exclusively via wire transfer or certified check.
• If a property does not receive initial bids, its minimum price can be lowered to encourage participation, with some reserves falling as low as $1,356.
• The online format streamlines bidding and makes public documentation and research resources available, so participants are encouraged to review title details, parcel maps, and potential liens before committing.

The county emphasizes that all properties are sold “as is” and strongly advises due diligence, as outlined by state law and County disclaimers.

"Participants should carefully review all available information and fully understand their responsibilities before placing a bid," says Susan Miller, a spokesperson for the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office.

Requirement	Details	Contact Person
Registration	Sign up on Bid4Assets and submit deposit	Susan Miller
Minimum Deposit	$5,000 refundable (+ $35 fee, wire/certified only)	Robert Rodriguez
Property Reserve	Prices may drop to $1,356	William Miller

For more detailed information about the auction guidelines and registration process, visit the official Riverside County Tax Defaulted Properties Auction page, the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector announcement, or the comprehensive Bid4Assets press release.

This continued embrace of digital auctions highlights Riverside’s commitment to transparency and accessibility in property sales, helping buyers of all backgrounds participate in the market on equal terms.

Riverside’s tech scene continues to evolve at a rapid pace, blending innovation, regulation, and resilience in ways that shape both opportunity and challenge.

Most notably, the region's drive for innovation has been on full display during the 8th Annual Riverside County Innovation Month. This month-long event in April has connected entrepreneurs, startups, and investors through regional fast pitch competitions, workshops, and networking, culminating in a finale where the winning startup will represent Riverside at the prestigious Startup World Cup for a chance at a $1 million equity investment (Innovation Month details).

At the grassroots level, new tech incubators and innovation centers have opened their doors, while UC Riverside's OASIS Initiative and local AI Startup Hubs have fostered advancements in robotics, smart mobility, and AI ethics, further cementing Riverside’s status as a growing tech destination (latest Riverside tech news).

• Regional Innovation: Riverside showcases significant entrepreneurial growth and community networking through annual events like Innovation Month, empowering startups to connect and thrive.
• Tech Incubation: The opening of incubators and innovation centers, along with university-backed initiatives, accelerates advancements in cutting-edge fields like robotics and AI.

At the same time, regulatory shifts are shaping how local companies approach tech adoption and community trust.

While Riverside celebrates a 35% tech sector growth rate - projecting 4,600 new jobs and $500 million in venture investment - there’s a growing focus on responsible AI deployment and public safety, reflected in thorough competition guidelines and ethical pitching criteria at major events (Riverside Regional Fast Pitch Competition).

Local leaders and entrepreneurs recognize that adapting to evolving laws, from AI governance to workforce upskilling, is key to sustaining this growth.

1. Regulatory Adaptation: Riverside’s tech sector embraces evolving laws to ensure responsible innovation and reinforce community trust.
2. Growth & Opportunity: Projections show jobs expansion and rising venture capital, signaling a robust outlook for the local tech economy.

Main Factor	Key Highlights	Local Contributor
Innovation	8th Annual Riverside County Innovation Month connects and empowers startups	Jessica White
Regulation	Growth in responsible AI deployment and evolving competition criteria	Sarah Hernandez
Resilience	Community collaboration and adaptability drive ongoing success	Daniel Davis

It’s a delicate balance: Innovation emerges through accessible education, global startup exposure, and smart infrastructure, while regulation guides ethical, long-term progress. Resilience is seen in the community’s collaborative spirit and flexibility - qualities that drive Riverside’s ability to navigate global trends and local policy shifts. The journey ahead promises both new heights and continued adaptation for Riverside’s tech sector.