SAE Tomorrow Today

Latest Episodes:

351. Built for the Extreme: Shaping Next-Gen Powersports Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Off-road vehicles are expected to perform in places conventional vehicles can’t … from frozen tundra and isolated trails to deserts and remote environments. But how do you determine which new technologies will improve the rider experience rather than adopting technology simply because it’s new?

As the global leader in powersports for more than 70 years, Polaris delivers industry-shaping off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, military, quadricycles, and commercial vehicles. Listen in as we sit down with Tony Kinsman, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Off-Road Engineering, to discuss how Polaris is combining mechanical engineering, software, connectivity, and real-world customer insights to shape the next generation of powersports.

The conversation explores advances in suspension and powertrain technology, the growing role of software, and how RIDE COMMAND+ is using connected technology and off-road mapping to change how riders navigate and interact with their vehicles.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

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350. Engineering Mobility Standards in the Age of AI Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Emerging technology is reshaping not only what engineers build, but how they build it. From software-defined and AI-powered vehicles to automation and electrification, the role of standards is changing as engineering workflows become increasingly digital, machine-readable, and AI-enabled.

To learn how SAE International is navigating this next chapter, we sat down with Reuben Sarkar, CEO, to explore what’s ahead for the 120-year-old organization as automotive, aerospace, commercial vehicles, and advanced air mobility increasingly converge. The conversation explores the importance of lifelong learning, the next generation of engineering talent, and how standards must evolve to keep pace in the age of AI.

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349. Lessons From a 7,000-Mile EV Road Trip Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to drive an EV across America and back again? A 7,000-mile road trip is a great way to find out.

Listen in as we sit down with science-comedian Sophie Shrand, Founder, Cool Jacket Productions and award-winning TV Host of “Science with Sophie”, to discuss The Great American ELECTRIC Road Trip — her exciting journey through 25 states in a Rivian R1S that puts EV infrastructure to the test and leads to unexpected discoveries along the way.

From navigating EV charging networks to uncovering surprising economic opportunities, Shrand proves that curiosity and a sense of adventure can create meaningful connections with people from across the country.

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348. A Roadmap for Sustainable and Affordable Mobility Sep 03, 2026

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The future of mobility may not be about building bigger, more feature-packed vehicles.

Listen in as we sit down with Dr. Christopher Borroni-Bird, Founder, Afreecar Consulting, to discuss his vision for rethinking transportation through right-sized EVs, solar-powered mobility, autonomy, and locally tailored solutions. From fleet electrification and last-mile autonomy to new manufacturing models and the changing economics of vehicle ownership, this conversation explores what it takes make mobility more affordable, sustainable, and accessible around the world.

Learn more in Dr. Borroni-Bird's award-winning SAE International book, Sustainable and Affordable Mobility for All, which expands on these ideas and offers a compelling roadmap for the future of transportation.

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347. When AI is driving, who’s responsible? Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Listen in as we sit down with Jennifer Dukarski, Emerging Tech, Media, and Intellectual Property Shareholder at Butzel, to unpack the rapidly evolving legal landscape surrounding SDVs and AVs. From AI decision-making and over-the-air updates to data retention, cybersecurity, consumer education, and the growing complexity of liability, we explore how existing legal frameworks are being tested by next-gen mobility.

Whether you're developing autonomous technology, managing risk, or shaping industry standards, this conversation offers an insightful look at the legal challenges that will define the future of transportation.

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346. Is Megawatt Charging the Missing Link to EV Scalability? Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

As electrification expands beyond passenger vehicles to commercial trucks, mining equipment, marine vessels, and even aircraft, the challenge is no longer whether megawatt charging is possible, it's how to scale it safely and efficiently. Fortunately, industry standards are making that future possible.

Listen in as we sit down withTed Bohn, Principal Electrical Engineer at Argonne National Laboratory and Chair of the SAE J3271 Committee, to discuss the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and how collaboration across industries is laying the foundation for high-power charging that works across multiple transportation sectors. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how standards are developed, tested, and validated, and why scalable charging depends on much more than the connector itself.

Whether you're designing commercial EVs, deploying charging infrastructure, or following the future of heavy-duty Class 8 electrification, this episode provides valuable insight into the technologies and standards that will shape the next generation of mobility.

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345. The Power Struggle Shaping Autonomous Trucking Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

With too many cooks in the kitchen, can innovation ever reach the road?

In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte uses the culinary world as a powerful metaphor to explore one of the autonomous trucking industry's most pressing issues: who gets “veto power”? As startups challenge established OEMs and suppliers, questions around control, competition, and liability are shaping the future of commercial autonomy.

Are legacy players protecting safety or their market position? And when disruptive newcomers refuse to back down, who ultimately determines the recipe for success? Tune in for a fresh perspective on the power struggles, partnerships, and industry dynamics that could define the next chapter of autonomous trucking.

Have your own thoughts on this topic? We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, questions or ideas for future topics with Grayson on Twitter or send them to podcast@sae.org.

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344. How Aerospace Safety Standards Enable the Future of Flight Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Whether it’s supersonic travel, commercial space, or AI-enabled aircraft, one message remains constant: safety standards are the common language that enable the future of flight.

Listen in as we sit down with Craig McMillan, Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Growth Leader at GE Aerospace, to discuss the intersection of AI, digital engineering, and the growing complexity of modern aircraft. The conversation examines why independent verification, rigorous systems engineering, and collaboration across the aerospace industry remain essential as aircraft become more software-driven and interconnected.

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343. SAE JA1016: Scaling the Future of UAVs with Battery Interoperability Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

From drone delivery to public safety and defense, the next generation of uncrewed aerial vehicles y better batteries, but by better battery standards.

Listen in as we sit down with Jeff Yambrick, Chair of the SAE Battery Cell Size Standardization Committee, and Lisa King, Director of Advanced Battery Strategy at Leap Manufacturing, to discuss SAE JA1016 — a new standard designed to simplify battery integration, accelerate commercialization, and strengthen the UAV supply chain.

During this conversation, you’ll learn why common battery formats are essential for reducing development costs and creating greater interoperability across commercial and defense applications. We also explore the importance of domestic battery manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and how standardization can accelerate innovation without limiting future battery technologies.

To join the SAE Battery Cell Size Standardization Committee, email Dante Rahdar at Dante.Rahdar@sae.org.

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342. SDVs, AI, and the Next Era of Automotive Innovation Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

What does it really mean to build a software-defined vehicle? As AI reshapes the automotive industry, SDVs may become the foundation for the future rather than the destination.

Listen in as we sit down with Jeffrey Chou, Founder and CEO of Sonatus, a leading provider of intelligence-driven SDV solutions, to explore why SDVs are best understood as a platform for innovation — one that is scalable, upgradable, and proven at scale.

This conversation dives into the evolution of SDVs, from over-the-air updates and AI-powered diagnostics to intelligent infrastructure services that could one day allow vehicles to share computing power, storage, and data with the world around them.

You’ll also get insight on how Sonatus scaled its software, the cultural shift required to bring Silicon Valley and automotive engineering together, and why collaboration — not competition — will define the future of mobility.

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