Futurismo | An Automotive News Podcast

Michigan’s chief mobility officer shares the state's efforts to ensure that transportation is equitable, clean and innovative across land, air and waterways.

The program officer in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office explains how EV and energy policy gets implemented through billions in federal loans, and how that work underpins a clean-energy economy.

March 13 marks the 20-year anniversary of the inaugural DARPA Grand Challenge race which catalyzed interest in self-driving technology. DARPA director Tony Tether, Carnegie Mellon University’s Red Whittaker, Waymo’s Melissa Dumas Grimm and Pronto’s Anthony Levandowski offer reflections on that race and how it steered the course of automated-driving development.

The co-leader of Boston Consulting Group’s Center for Mobility Innovation discusses complications in deploying automated-driving technology and points to limited EV offerings a contributing factor behind a sales slowdown.

The retired General Motors vice president of R&D and adviser to Google and Waymo believes the way digital technology is reshaping our lives will impact both vehicle development and whether we need vehicles at all.

Reichmuth, a senior engineer in the organization’s Clean Transportation Program, examines if plug-in hybrids will lead to reduced emissions amid renewed interest and calls out automakers with inefficient PHEV offerings.

Sanjay Arya, the head of innovation for index product at Morningstar, and Jonathan Geurkink, a senior research analyst for mobility and supply chain tech at Pitchbook, explain what venture capital investment says about mobility tech and why there is optimism about a competitor for Tesla’s supercharger network.

The chief technology officer at Panasonic Automotive details advances on software-defined vehicles and what they mean for consumers.

The partner and co-leader of the consulting firm’s Center for Future Mobility advises automakers on navigating software, autonomy and electrification transitions amid profound changes in technology, workforce and the global world order.

The Pronto CEO and co-founder details the merits of pursuing off-road autonomy, provides a status report on self-driving technology and explains why he founded the Way Of The Future church as a framework for harnessing artificial intelligence.

“Software-defined vehicle” was much more than a buzzwordy catchphrase at CES. From Las Vegas, Elektrobit CEO Maria Anhalt and Qualcomm VP and head of software product management detail rapid advances and growing importance in auto software.

The expert on Asia’s automakers and CEO of Dunne Insights warns that traditional automakers not named Tesla should be “terrified” of BYD across the globe. Further, he explains how China came to dominate battery materials and technology in the burgeoning EV market.

The Clarios CEO examines the growing importance of low-voltage batteries in fully electric vehicles, how recycling may ease geopolitical tensions the promise and realities of new battery chemistries.

The Spartan Radar CEO details how his company’s software serves as “eyeglasses” for conventional radar, vastly improving performance in the real world. Plus, he offers up an ideal holiday gift suggestion for budding engineers.

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, argues that there is no electric vehicle sales slowdown. The segment is growing, and the charging infrastructure to support it will be “private sector-led and government-enabled,” he said.

The UP.Labs president details the thinking behind a “venture lab,” which custom-develops startups for companies like Porsche and Alaska Airlines. Further, she warns automakers and suppliers of fragility within their supply chains.

The Carnegie Mellon University professor and embedded systems expert makes recommendations on how GM subsidiary Cruise can improve its transparency and trust. Further, he says it’s time the entire industry develops a new safety message.

The CEO of the Israeli auto-tech company explains how driver-assist technology provides a financial bridge toward a self-driving future. He further details the rollout of SuperVision in China and assesses the state of the robotaxi industry.

The head of eMobility at Daimler discussed why the company is developing battery electric and hydrogen solutions at the same time, and how hydrogen combustion engine technology is a zero-emission solution with a lower barrier to entry for many fleets.

The CEO and founder of Plus describes his company’s evolutionary approach toward developing automated-driving technology. Further, he provides updates on work with partners like Amazon, Bosch, Cummings and more, and what’s ahead for Plus in 2024.