Apparently some tests of the autonomous vehicles took place at one of Larry's ranches, along with possible meetings with Levandowski. I'm not sure why they start with such basic questions, though.
Depositions aren't free form. The rules applying to courtroom testimony mostly apply. One of those rules is that there has to be a foundation for everything. You can't ask about what happened at Page's ranch until you establish for the record that he owns a ranch and what ranch you're talking about.
The other part of asking basic questions is that the deponent's statement under oath that he started as CEO on such and such date is evidence that's directly usable. A print out from a web page with his basic bio can be evidence but it requires more hurdles. When you need that information for color down the line, it's helpful to have it in the deposition transcript.
Absolutely. Many depositions (and in significant cases, nearly all of them) are videotaped; then for trial, each side creates a "documentary" consisting of selected excerpts — think of it as being like a segment of a news show such as 60 Minutes. A string of "I don't know" or "I don't recall" answers, or even unduly-long pauses before answering, can seriously hurt a witness's credibility.
And if a witness testifies differently at trial than s/he did at the deposition, on cross-examination the opposing counsel will pounce and play back the relevant portion(s) of the video recording to impeach the witness's credibility that way as well.
Finally, depositions are very often used to "prove up" basic facts, as 'rayiner said in the GP.
To get it on record who you are for evidentiary reasoned also to lull the exponent into a false sense of ease or comfort. The attorney's try to be friendly, even chatty, so you will expound on your answers, correct them if they ask something wrong, etc.
They will also ask quite frequently if you are on any medication that impairs your ability to participate in the deposition or that could affect your ability to recall events, etc. This prevents you from being able to later say, "oh well I did not say that correctly. I had taken a pain pill for my back that morning, etc. ". The point is to avoid future surprises if the case goes to court.
