Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

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**Building Better with Brandon Bartneck**

Focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Latest Episodes:

#56 – Ethan Escowitz | Arris – Composites: Smarter, Lighter, Strong, & More Sustainable Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

Ethan Escowitz is CEO and Founder of Arris Composites.

Key topics in this conversation include:

How lightweighting can cut emissions – independent of the propulsion system
Arris’s revolutionary Additive Molding process
Composites in aerospace and high-volume automotive applications
Turning 17 components into 1
Aligned composite fibers for maximum strength-to-weight ratio

Links:

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/ethanescowitz
Arris’s website: https://arriscomposites.com/
Ethan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethane/

Ethan’s bio:

Ethan Escowitz is CEO and Founder of Arris Composites. In his role, Ethan leads the company’s strategic direction with a big mission: to unlock advanced composites for world-changing high volume products. Ethan has a rich history of experience that spans a formative period in manufacturing that has witnessed the rise, fall, and stabilization of additive manufacturing. His ascent to Arris Composites CEO has included roles across the organization and across the product and manufacturing space, including product developer, business developer, marketer, inventor, fundraiser, day-to-day business operator, hacker, and leader. Ethan holds a BS in Geology from University of Vermont.

Future of Mobility:

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

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#55 – Jay Giraud | Damon Motors – Revolutionizing the Motorcycle & Purpose-Driven Work Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

Jay Giraud is co-founder and chief executive officer of Damon Motors.

Key topics in this conversation include:

The role of motorbikes in the transportation ecosystem
Damon’s 10-year vision for creating the optimal motorbike of the future
The role of rider assistance technology in increasing motorbike safety
How their flagship HyperSport is paving the way for the future
Building a team and maintain excitement around a common mission

Links:

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/jaygiraud/
Damon website: https://damon.com/
Jay’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaygiraud/
Jay’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaygiraud?lang=en

Jay’s bio:

A serial entrepreneur, Jay has focused his efforts on redefining mobility with Damon, creating a safer, smarter and seamlessly connected motorcycle experience. Jay is the author of multiple patents and has spoken extensively about automotive, mobility and cleantech at conferences globally. In addition to his entrepreneurial efforts, Jay is an extreme sports enthusiast. He traveled the world as British Columbia’s top-ranked professional snowboarder in all four freestyle disciplines in 1998. Jay has been riding motorcycles for over 20 years and has ridden hundreds of different motorcycles on track and the road. His favorite place to ride is Northern California and aims to tour Montana and Wyoming in the future. Jay has a passion for sport and supersport bikes, as well as an appreciation for touring bikes. Jay has ensured the experiences of all three are in the Hypersport design.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#54 - Jean-Louis Kindler | Ways2H – Hydrogen from Waste Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

Jean-Louis Kindler is Co-Founder and CEO of Ways2H Inc., a global provider of facilities that convert the world’s worst waste into renewable hydrogen for mobility and power generation.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Jean-Louis’s experience spending the past two decades working on hydrogen generation
The technology deployed by Ways2H
How waste can provide hydrogen with net negative emissions
Ideal applications for on-site hydrogen production
The Horseman

Links:

Ways2H website: https://ways2h.com/
Jean-Louis’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanlouiskindler/
Show notes: brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/jean-louiskindler

Jean-Louis’s bio:

Jean-Louis Kindler is Co-Founder and CEO of Ways2H Inc., a global provider of facilities that convert the world’s worst waste into renewable hydrogen for mobility and power generation. With a first facility completed in Tokyo, the company is working on a pipeline of renewable hydrogen facilities in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, and other regions that use a carbon-neutral, non-incineration process to convert municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, plastics or other refuse into clean hydrogen fuel for the growing hydrogen economy.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#53 – Badr Abduljawad & Patrick Steiche | Hydra Energy – Hydrogen-as-a-service and Diesel Co-combustion Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

Badr Abduljawad is Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, and Patrick Steiche is Manager of Hydrogen Systems Integration for Hydra Energy, the world’s first Hydrogen-as-a-Service provider for commercial fleets.

Key topics in this conversation include:

· Diesel and hydrogen co-combustion

· Hydrogen combustion compared to fuel cell and battery electric propulsion systems for commercial vehicles

· How Hydra can upfit diesel propulsion systems at no charge and offer hydrogen for cheaper than diesel

· The long-term vision towards 100% hydrogen production

· Hydra’s clean method of hydrogen production from existing chemical plants

Links:

Show notes:brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/hydraenergy

Hydra’s website: https://hydraenergy.com/

Email address for more information: info@hydra-energy.ca

Badr’s bio:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/badrabduljawad/

Having spent much of his life surrounded by car enthusiasts, Badr developed a keen interest in automotive engineering.

Coupled with a passion for technology he decided to follow the path of Cleantech innovation. Driven by a love of the environment and an overriding desire to reverse climate change, he believes a hydrogen powered future is the way forward.

In addition to Hydra Energy, Badr has co-founded LaunchCode, a software solutions company and GridGear, a hardware and software manufacturer of electrical smart meters.

Patrick’s bio:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-steiche/

After a joint research project between the University of British Columbia and Hydra Energy, Patrick joined the team in 2017. Since then he has been involved in Hydra’s hydrogen dual-fuel technology application, where he leads the on-road performance and emission measurement campaigns

These days Patrick is focused on Hydra’s Research and Innovation Council, where he is working together closely with academia and other research groups to find solutions to advance Hydra’s technology and to grow Hydra’s IP portfolio.

Patrick holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#52 – Kimmo Rauma | Danfoss Editron – Electrification for Heavy Machinery May 30, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Kimmo Rauma is Vice-President of Danfoss Editron.

Key points include:

- The case for electrification of heavy duty machinery

- Why electric rock crushers are so much more productive than diesel

- Comparing heavy duty electric propulsion systems to automotive applications

- Electric motor and inverter design decisions

Links

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/kimmorauma/

Kimmo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmorauma/

Danfoss Editron website: https://www.danfoss.com/en-us/about-danfoss/our-businesses/power-solutions/danfoss-editron/

Kimmo bio
Dr. Kimmo Rauma is Vice-President of Danfoss Editron. He co-founded and was CEO of Visedo before the company became Danfoss Editron following its acquisition by the Danfoss Group in December 2017. Before pioneering heavy-duty electrification with Visedo, Kimmo founded several technology start-ups in various fields, from dental technology to machine learning.
Kimmo holds both Master’s and Doctorates degrees in Electrical Engineering from LUT University in Finland. He is also a member of the Electric Vehicle Systems Program steering group of the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, as well as a member of LUT University’s Board of Directors.

Danfoss Editron description
Danfoss Editron is changing the way the world moves with electric and hybrid powertrain systems for heavy-duty and commercial vehicles and machines on both land and sea. The company’s EDITRON system has been designed from the ground up to ensure maximum efficiency at real-world load speeds. The software-based approach allows for greater intelligent management of power distribution, delivering superior performance for heavy-duty applications in even the most demanding environments.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#51 – Kelly Senecal & Felix Leach | Racing Toward Zero – The Untold Story of Driving Green May 23, 2021

Show notes

Kelly and Felix join to talk about their new book Racing Toward Zero – The Untold Story of Driving Green. Kelly Senecal is a co-founder and owner of Convergent Science. Felix Leach is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, a post held jointly with that of Fellow and Tutor in Engineering Science at Keble College

Order the book now: https://www.sae.org/publications/books/content/r-501/

Questions or comments? Send an email to podcast@fev.com.

Show notes: linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/racingtowardzero

About Racing Toward Zero:

In Racing Toward Zero, the authors explore the issues inherent in developing sustainable transportation. They review the types of propulsion systems and vehicle options, discuss low-carbon fuels and alternative energy sources, and examine the role of regulation in curbing emissions.

All technologies have an impact on the environment, from internal combustion engine vehicles to battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, and hybrids—there is no silver bullet. The battery electric vehicle may seem the obvious path to a sustainable, carbon-free transportation future, but it’s not the only, nor necessarily the best, path forward. The vast majority of vehicles today use the internal combustion engine (ICE), and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Improving the ICE and its fuels—entering a new ICE age—must be a main route on the road to zero emissions.

How do we go green? The future requires a balanced approach to transportation. It’s not a matter of choosing between combustion or electrification; it’s combustion and electrification. As the authors say, “The future is eclectic.” By harnessing the best qualities of both technologies, we will be in the best position to address our transportation future as quickly as possible.

Kelly’s bio:

Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/senecal/

Kelly Senecal is a co-founder and owner of Convergent Science. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a co-founder and director of the Computational Chemistry Consortium (C3), and an associate editor of the journal Transportation Engineering. Kelly is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a member of the executive committee of the ASME ICE Division, a member of the board of advisors for the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute, and the 2019 recipient of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award.

Felix’s bio:

LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-leach-67713987/

Felix Leach is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, a post held jointly with that of Fellow and Tutor in Engineering Science at Keble College. His research interests are in emissions and efficiency of thermal propulsion systems and air quality. He has focused particularly on particulate emissions from gasoline direct injection engines and developing a fundamental understanding of NOx emissions from diesel engines.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#50 – John Zelasko | FEV – Engineering the Future of Mobility May 16, 2021

Show notes

John Zelasko is Vice President of Business Development at FEV North America.

Key topics in this conversation include:

FEV’s role within the mobility ecosystem
Challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid pace of technology development
Evolving from powertrain specialists to full vehicle engineering
Humility and leadership

Links:

Show notes: brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/johnzelasko
John’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-zelasko-87012a12/
FEV’s website: fev.com/usa

John’s Bio:

John manages a team responsible for North American business development and marketing and has a passion for developing and executing strategies to create and grow new business. His team covers a wide range of application segments, across a full range of vehicle engineering services. John enjoys working with his colleagues around the globe to effectively build global partnerships. In his spare time, John relishes all things active, specifically any opportunity to be on the ocean.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#49 – Chris Thomas | Assembly Ventures – Candor and Rethinking Mobility May 10, 2021

Show notes

Chris Thomas is a Co-Founder and Partner at Assembly Ventures and he previously co-founded Detroit Mobility Lab and the Michigan Mobility Institute.

Key topics in this conversation include:

Rethinking the mobility ecosystem
The ISA framework for identifying and creating value for mobility
The unique approach taken by Assembly Ventures
The importance of candor in Chris’s life and career
How Chris built a lasting relationship with Bill Ford during an internship

Links:

Show notes: brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/christhomas
Chris’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopherthomas/
Assembly Ventures Medium page: medium.com/assembly-ventures

Chris’s bio:

Chris Thomas is a Co-Founder at Partner at Assembly Ventures, the first trans-Atlantic mobility fund in the world based in Detroit and Berlin. Prior to Assembly Ventures he co-founded Detroit Mobility Lab and the Michigan Mobility Institute, entities dedicated to helping Detroit become one of the world’s foremost future mobility ecosystems and creating the future of mobility talent in North America. Prior to the Detroit Mobility Lab and the Michigan Mobility Institute Chris co-founded Fontinalis Partners and for over a decade worked to build it into one of the premier investment firms in next-generation mobility. While at Fontinalis, he served as a board member for nuTonomy (acquired by Aptiv in October 2017) and Karamba Security, and as a board observer at ParkMe (acquired by INRIX in September 2015), Parkmobile (acquired by BMW in January 2018), Life360 (IPO in May 2019), Ouster (SPAC in December 2020) and SmartKargo.

Prior to Fontinalis, Chris served in the U.S. Army as a communications officer in the U.S. and Iraq. Before joining the military, Chris worked as an investment banker at UBS within its Technology and Energy groups in San Francisco and New York. Additionally, Chris acts as a senior advisor to the COMMIT Foundation and is a member of the Global Cleantech 100 expert panel. He is also a co-owner of Buddy's Pizza, the birthplace of original Detroit-style pizza, and an avid angel investor. Chris has previously served as the chairman of Read to a Child, a national children’s literacy and mentoring nonprofit in the United States and acted as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Personal Transportation Systems.

Chris earned his master’s degree in business administration from the Yale School of Management. While at Yale he served on the Honor Committee and graduated with distinction in former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s seminar on Faith and Globalization. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both economics and international relations from Michigan State University. Chris is a resident of the city of Detroit where he lives with his wife and sons. He is a staunch advocate of connected communities, early childhood literacy, and the doctrine of the strenuous life.

Future of Mobility:

linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#48 – Josh Sobil | Exro – Advancing Electric Propulsion with Power Electronics May 03, 2021

Show notes

Josh Sobil is Chief Commercial Officer at Exro Technologies, a clean technology company pioneering intelligent control solutions in power electronics to help solve the most challenging problems in electrification. Exro has developed a new class of control technology that expands the capabilities of electric motors, generators, and batteries. Exro enables the application to achieve more with less energy consumed.

Key topics in this conversation include:

- The role of inverters in electric propulsion systems

- Exro’s novel approach with their Coil Driver

- The benefit of two different torque profiles from a single electric machine

- The potential to make two-speed EDUs unnecessary

- Ideal applications for this new technology

Links:

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/joshsobil

Exro’s website: https://www.exro.com/

Josh’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-sobil/

Josh Sobil Bio:

Josh has over a decade of experience in the power conversion industry, beginning his career with GE and moving to Siemens Canada where he led the growth of its Mining business in Western Canada. He is a graduate of McMaster University with a Bachelor of Engineering & Management in Mechanical Engineering and holds MBA from the Schulich School of Business.

Future of Mobility:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

#47 – John McElroy | Autoline – Media, Electrification, & Automation Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

John McElroy is the president of Blue Sky Productions, and is a legend in the automotive media landscape. He has decades of experience as a journalist, lecturer, commentator, and entrepreneur. Some of contributions include his TV program, Autoline This Week, and his weekly live webcast, Autoline After Hours. He also broadcasts three daily radio segments in the Detroit area, in addition to seemingly countless appearances on different media platforms.

Key topics in this conversation includes:

- The role of media in the automotive industry

- Different electrification strategies from OEMs and start-ups

- Predicting how the automotive landscape will look 5-10 years from now

- The current state of automated driving and how that’s expected to evolve

Links:

Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/johnmcelroy

Autoline: http://www.autoline.tv/whatisad/

John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcelroy-77534bb/

John McElroy Bio:

John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis. He is also the host of the television program “Autoline This Week,” an Emmy Award-winning, weekly half-hour discussion program featuring top automotive executives and journalists. And he co-hosts “Autoline After Hours,” a weekly live webcast that focuses on new cars and technology. The show can be seen online at www.Autoline.tv

McElroy also broadcasts three radio segments daily on WWJ Newsradio 950, the CBS affiliate in Detroit. He writes a blog for Autoblog.com and a monthly op-ed article for Ward’s Auto World.

As a journalist, McElroy put his automotive background to good use. His past experience includes five years at Detroit Editor for Road & Track, and as the American correspondent for World Cars, published by the Automotive Club of Italy. He was also invited to write the annual automotive entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook. He spent most of his career at the trade magazine Automotive Industries where he ultimately rose to Editorial Director.

McElroy has appeared as an automotive expert on ABC World News Tonight, CBS News, and NBC Nightly News. He is often interviewed by CNN, NPR, and CBC in Canada. He is frequently asked to speak to automakers, suppliers and industry organizations. He is a member of the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, and has won numerous awards for editorial excellence.

John McElroy is the president of Blue Sky Productions, Inc., which produces television, radio, and digital content, including video production.

Future of Mobility:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

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