Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

Latest Episodes:

#146 – Roei Ganzarski | Alitheon – Optical AI for Identification and Authentication of Batteries & More Mar 12, 2023

Show notes

Roei Ganzarski is the CEO of Alitheon, the global leader in optical AI for counterfeit identification and traceability.

Key topics in this conversation include:

The most noteworthy performance I saw at CES
Where additive approaches to authentication fall short
Why proving identify is so important for safety-critical components and systems
The danger of counterfeits in the mobility space
The additive potential when combining Alitheon’s approach with digital authentication

Links:

Roei’s Bio:

Roei Ganzarski is the CEO of Alitheon, the global leader in optical AI for counterfeit identification and traceability. Roei brings more than 30 years of experience in disruptive technology leadership. Prior to Alitheon, he led and supervised operations, strategy and development at numerous companies including Boeing, BoldIQ, magniX and Eviation.

About Alitheon:

Alitheon is a leader in advanced optical AI and the creator of FeaturePrint®, a patented system that digitizes for items and products what fingerprints are for people – a one-of-a-kind, unique identifier that does not require you to mark, modify or add anything to the item. Using just a camera, FeaturePrinting enables identification, authentication and traceability of individual items out of millions of similar objects. The technology stops counterfeits, eliminates gray markets and minimizes misidentification of parts. FeaturePrint is currently used across automotive, aerospace & defense, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, precious metals, and luxury goods & collectibles.

Future of Mobility:

The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields.

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Edison Manufacturing:

Edison manufacturing is your low volume contract manufacturing partner for build and assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

#145 - Stephan Tarnutzer | AVL – The State of Electrification, Automated Driving & Hydrogen, Plus the Importance of Soft Skills as a Leader Mar 05, 2023

Show notes

Stephan A. Tarnutzer is the President of AVL Mobility Technologies.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Where Stephan sees the greatest opportunities for further innovation in electrification, automated driving, and hydrogen-power propulsion systems
AVL’s role in the mobility sector
How Stephan thinks about growth and diversification into new markets
The importance of soft skills and philosophy when transitioning into a leadership position

Links:

Stephan’s Bio:

Stephan A. Tarnutzer is the President of AVL Mobility Technologies and is responsible for overseeing and developing its business units and functional areas, including technologies for traditional and xEV powertrain, xEV and battery component and systems as well as ADAS and Autonomous technologies and solutions. In addition, Mr. Tarnutzer is responsible for vehicle development, software, simulation, driveability, and validation domains.

Mr. Tarnutzer joined AVL in November 2018 as the President for the mobility technology side of AVL. Prior to working at AVL, Mr. Tarnutzer held several engineering leadership positions with various suppliers as well as Daimler Chrysler. His diverse educational background in electrical engineering, economics, finance, and management has enabled his technical, strategic and financial leadership through his entire career.

About AVL North America:

Established in 1994 for AVL to serve its North American clients directly, AVL North America has a staff of more than 650 + people and has five technical centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Metro Detroit area, and Lake Forest, California. These technical centers house a total of 21 test sites for engine/transmission/powertrain development and testing. AVL also has a sales office in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Together, we have the expertise, technology, and tools to take on any project from initial feasibility studies to complete turnkey engine programs. We provide best-in-class engineering, simulation, and testing expertise to our customers locally and through our global network. As a trusted partner, AVL helps customers tackle the most complex challenges and helps move the world toward a more sustainable future.

AVL is one of the world’s leading mobility technology companies for development, simulation and testing in the automotive industry, and beyond. The company provides concepts, solutions and methodologies in fields like vehicle development and integration, e-mobility, automated and connected mobility (ADAS/AD), and software for a greener, safer, better world of mobility.

Future of Mobility:

Edison Manufacturing:

#144 – Matt Leuck | Neste – Renewable Diesel & The Critical Task of Decarbonizing the Internal Combustion Engine Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

Matt Leuck is Technical Service Manager for Renewable Road Transport at Neste US.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Why decarbonizing the internal combustion engine is such an important piece of the sustainability puzzle
How Neste produces their renewable diesel
Overcoming the perception and past failures of other renewable fuels
How Matt sees renewable diesel scaling

Links:

Matt’s Bio:

As Neste’s Technical Manager for North America, Matt serves as the principal technical point of contact for the Renewable Road Transport team, providing expertise to stakeholders about renewable fuel’s position in the larger energy picture – how it works in engines, the value it provides, and its widespread applications. Matt believes that all solutions are needed to fight climate change, and renewable fuels will be a big part of the energy mix in the future.

About Neste:

Neste is the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Driven by a desire to create a healthier and more sustainable future, Neste remains committed to breaking fossil fuel’s 100-year monopoly on road transport, aviation, and plastics. Through its refinement process of waste, residues, and innovative raw materials, Neste provides customers – such as airports and transportation/fleet companies – with renewable solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the tons.

Neste’s renewable fuel is a direct replacement for conventional fossil fuel that is produced from renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Once blended, the fuel works seamlessly with existing fueling infrastructure, diesel, and aircraft engines. Today, recognized as one of the world’s most sustainable companies, Neste is on track to create the change needed to lower GHG emissions and clear the air, and wants to help cities and businesses achieve their climate goals faster.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Edison Manufacturing:

#143 – Reece Martin | RMTransit – City Transit & Evolving the Way We Get Around Feb 19, 2023

Show notes

Reece Martin is the creator and host of RMTransit, a YouTube channel focused on transit, infrastructure, and development around the world. With more than 180 thousand subscribers and 27 million views, the channel has helped thousands around the world to learn about public transit projects, networks, technologies and plans in a simplified and digestible format, as well as about project construction, news, vehicle design, and service planning

Key topics in this conversation include:

Why public transit is so complex
The global cities that are leading the way
Foundational values that can be applied to nearly all cities to improve transportation
Iterative decision making and transit deployment
Where US cities have historically struggled
How Reece simplifies complex topics to help with public education

Links:

Bio:

Reece Martin is the creator and host of RMTransit, a YouTube channel focused on transit, infrastructure, and development around the world. Started back in 2016, the RMTransit YouTube channel has gone from occasional videos shot on a blurry cell phone camera watched by not more than a dozen people to its current state. With more than 180 thousand subscribers and 27 million views, the channel has helped thousands around the world to learn about public transit projects, networks, technologies and plans in a simplified and digestible format, as well as about project construction, news, vehicle design, and service planning. The channel has hundreds of videos covering a breadth of transit and urban content, and has covered over 50 cities across over 20 countries, including international on-site visits such as the opening of the Elizabeth Line.

About RMTransit:

Ever wondered why your city's transit just doesn't seem quite up to snuff? RMTransit is here to answer that, and help you open your eyes to all of the different public transportation systems around the world! Reece (the RM in RMTransit) is an urbanist and public transport critic residing in Toronto, Canada, with the goal of helping the world become more connected through metros, trams, buses, high-speed trains, and all other transport modes. RMTransit creates two brand new videos every week covering all aspects of transportation and urbanism.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Edison Manufacturing:

Bonus - Culture, Values & the Capital Light Assembly Podcast Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

This bonus episode provides a peek into a new series hosted by Brandon Bartneck, the Capital Light Assembly podcast. This podcast provides a look into my "day job" as Vice President and General Manager at Edison Manufacturing & Engineering, and focuses on what it takes to successfully launch complex mobility and energy products in volumes that are below industry standard.

You can find the Capital Light Assembly podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, including:

This excerpt features Tracey Fletcher, who is Chief People Officer for Wallbank Industrial, which includes Edison as well as Edison's sister company, PJ Wallbank Springs. The discussion focuses on the importance of culture when building an organization to best serve our customers' needs and the foundational values on which Edison's culture has been built.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Edison Manufacturing:

#142 – Ben Hager | dSPACE – Tools for Developing and Validating Autonomous Driving Solutions Feb 12, 2023

Show notes

Ben Hager is the Head of the Autonomous Driving and Software Engineering group at dSPACE Inc.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Why effective tools are so important for safe and effective development of autonomous vehicle software
dSPACE’s SIMPHERA and AUTERA
The role of an enabler in the quickly evolving mobility space
Why true partnership can be so much more valuable than traditional supplier / customer relationships
dSPACE’s use of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Links:

About Ben:

Ben Hager is the Head of the Autonomous Driving and Software Engineering group at dSPACE Inc. We are a team of engineers, programmers, project managers, and business developers that are responsible for helping our customers in North America solve the challenges of autonomous driving and validation testing at scale.

Before joining dSPACE, he worked for 8 years as the Real-Time Control Design and Simulation Engineer at Honda Aircraft Company. He was primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the HIL system software and hardware used in the Advanced Systems Integration Test Facility (ASITF). He also worked for 2 years as a Flight Test and Instrumentation Engineer at Cirrus Aircraft on the Vision SF50 Personal Jet program.

He has a Master’s degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

About dSPACE

dSPACE is a leading provider of simulation and validation solutions worldwide for developing networked, autonomous, and electrically powered vehicles. The company's range of end-to-end solutions are used particularly by automotive manufacturers and their suppliers to test the software and hardware components in their new vehicles long before a new model is allowed on the road. Not only is dSPACE a sought-after partner in vehicle development, but engineers also rely on our know-how at dSPACE when it comes to aerospace and industrial automation. Our portfolio ranges from end-to-end solutions for simulation and validation to engineering and consulting services as well as training and support. With approximately 2,200 employees worldwide, dSPACE is headquartered in Paderborn, Germany, has three project centers in Germany, and serves customers through regional dSPACE companies in the USA, the UK, France, Japan, China, Croatia, and South Korea.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Edison Manufacturing:

#141 - Charlotte Hamilton | Conamix – Unlocking the Potential of Lithium Sulfur Cathodes Feb 05, 2023

Show notes

Charlotte Hamilton is the CEO and co-founder of Conamix.

Key topics in this conversation include:

- Why lithium sulfur batteries are likely inevitable

- The current challenges with lithium sulfur cathodes

- How Conamix is addressing these

- How Conamix is facing the challenge of having a suitable anode to go alongside their cathode

- Why Charlotte is very careful the claims and promises that Conamix is making

Links:

● Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/charlottehamilton

● https://www.conamix.com/

● https://www.linkedin.com/in/cphamilton/

About Charlotte:

Charlotte Hamilton is the CEO and co-founder of Conamix. She founded Conamix in 2014 and is a co-inventor of multiple pieces of the company's battery technology. She has led the company from founding through public announcement of a patent portfolio of over 30 pieces of intellectual property focused on low-cost, high-energy cobalt free battery material.

Company description:

Conamix is a venture-backed battery materials company working to lower the cost of lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles worldwide by turning sulfur cathodes from the out of reach holy-grail of lithium ion cathodes into a global product with the energy, power and cycle life demanded by the EV revolution.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Edison Manufacturing:

#140 - Rodolfo Elias Dieck | Proeza Ventures - Building On Grupo Proeza, Key Trends for 2023 & Philosophy Jan 29, 2023

Show notes

Rodolfo is Managing Partner at Proeza Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups reshaping the mobility space.

Key topics in this conversation include:

What sets Proeza Ventures apart
Some of the key trends Rodolfo is watching in 2023
Advice for first time founders
Why PV has a clear definition of markets and technologies where they don’t participate
A shared passion for Stoic philosophy

Links:

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/rodolfodieck
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proezaventures/
The Paddock (newsletter): https://proezaventures.substack.com/

Companies mentioned:

Rodolfo’s bio

Rodolfo is Managing Partner at Proeza Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups reshaping the mobility space. Rodolfo guides the overall strategic direction of the firm as well as oversees all financial activities, performance, and investor relations activities. His role includes sourcing, evaluating, structuring and closing new investments, managing PV’s current investment portfolio, and participating in the board of directors of some of PV’s portfolio companies.

Through his experience, Rodolfo has advised middle-market companies on a variety of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising activities totaling more than US$6.5 billion and invested in +30 early stage companies with over US$40 million in capital commitments. Rodolfo was previously Chief Investment Officer at PSM, an impact investing fund based out of Mexico City, M&A director at Fimecap, Vicepresident for BBVA Bancomer’s Americas Corporate Finance Group, and a Senior Associate at Credit Suisse’s M&A Technology Group. He received a BA in Economics from Monterrey Tec and earned an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. He is a CFA charterholder.

Rodolfo enjoys an active life participating in triathlons, working out and playing with his kids outdoors in sunny Texas and traveling and exploring new restaurants with his wife.

About Proeza Ventures

Based in Monterrey, Mexico, and Houston, Texas, Proeza Ventures is a venture capital firm investing exclusively in the mobility space. P.V is looking to partner with ambitious and visionary founders transforming the way in which we think about mobility pushing for more efficient, safety-focused and environmentally friendly solutions. P.V invests in industrial tech, smart components, new vehicles, MaaS and digital data services.

Future of Mobility:

Edison Manufacturing:

#139 - Jan Becker | Apex.AI – Modular, Scalable Software for Autonomy and Software Defined Vehicles Jan 22, 2023

Show notes

Jan Becker is President, CEO and Co-Founder of Apex.AI, Inc. He is also the Managing Director of the Apex.AI GmbH.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Understanding software defined vehicles
Apex.Grace, Apex.Ida, and Apex.OS
Building the operating system for autonomous vehicles that is designed to never fail
Apex.AI’s role enabling autonomy outside of automotive
Functional safety considerations for modular software
How Apex.AI is making their mark on the industry

Links:

Jan’s bio

Jan Becker is President, CEO and Co-Founder of Apex.AI, Inc. He is also the Managing Director of the Apex.AI GmbH, our subsidiary in Germany.

Prior to founding Apex.AI, he was Senior Director at Faraday Future responsible for Autonomous Driving and Director at Robert Bosch LLC responsible for Automated Driving in North America. He also served as a Senior Manager and Principal Engineer at the Bosch Research and Technology Center in Palo Alto, CA, USA, and as a senior research engineer for Corporate Research at Robert Bosch GmbH, Germany.

Since 2010, Jan is Lecturer at Stanford University for autonomous vehicles and driver assistance. Previously, he was a visiting scholar at the University’s Artificial Intelligence Lab and a member of the Stanford Racing Team for the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. In 2019, Jan was appointed to serve on the external Advisory Board of MARELLI to provide strategic advice to the MARELLI Board. In 2018, he co-founded the Autoware Foundation and was on the foundation’s board of directors until 2020. Jan earned a Ph.D. in control engineering from the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, USA, and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany.

About Apex.AI

Apex.AI is a Palo Alto, Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart and Gothenburg-based company that is developing breakthrough safe, certified, developer-friendly, and scalable software for mobility systems.

Our software products are based on proven open-source software, such as ROS or Eclipse iceoryx, so that we don’t spend time redeveloping what already works. Instead, we fork software that has been developed and proven in use by large developer communities. We then add what is missing: Functional safety, flawless performance, and support for application in commercial and safety-critical products. In order to do so, we have developed a proprietary process to rework open-source software in record time such that it conforms to the highest requirements of the applicable functional safety standard.

We launched our award-winning first product Apex.Grace, formerly known as Apex.OS, after three years in 2020 and have taken it through certification in record time for launch in 2021.

Future of Mobility:

Edison Manufacturing:

#138 - Steven Spinello | Skyports – AAM Infrastructure & The Reality of AAM as a Transportation Solution Jan 15, 2023

Show notes

Steven is the Los-Angeles based Partnerships Manager for Skyports, which designs, builds and operates vertiports for the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Steven’s uncommon path to Skyports
The importance of solving problems with new mobility solutions, rather than merely rolling out new technology
Why veritports might look different than what the public envisions
The latest progress from Skyport
Why LA is such a promising city for realizing the benefits of AAM

Links:

Steven’s bio

Steven is the Los-Angeles based Partnerships Manager for Skyports, which designs, builds and operates vertiports for the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry. At Skyports, he is leading the phased network rollout of a multi-nodal vertiport network across the Los Angeles basin and surrounding areas to enable intra-city aerial transport and cargo drone deliveries at scale. Steven is an advocate of decarbonizing the transportation system by accelerating electrification and improving connectivity through multi-modal systems. Prior to Skyports, Steven worked on the Mobility Innovation team at the LA Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. At the Mayor’s Office, he co-authored a report on emerging transportation technologies and their impact on urban mobility policymaking. He also split time at Urban Movement Labs, a nonprofit transportation innovation accelerator, where he assisted with the selection, deployment and evaluation of transportation technology pilots on LA’s streets. Steven received his B.A. in economics from the University of Maryland and Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Chicago.

Skyports company bio

Skyports Infrastructure is the leading enabler of advanced air mobility (AAM), providing the critical link between the ground and the sky. The company designs, builds and operates take-off and landing infrastructure for air taxis, and partners with world-class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger and cargo vehicle manufacturers around the world to enable safe, sustainable and efficient flight operations within urban and suburban environments.

Future of Mobility:

Edison Manufacturing:

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected