SAE Tomorrow Today

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150. UNPLUGGED: How Do Partnerships Advance Mobility? Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

From AVs to EVs, the future of mobility is not a go-it-alone journey. To get ahead, more and more companies are realizing the advantages to establishing complementary partnerships.

Given current market conditions, M&A activity is anticipated to heat up and new partnerships will likely be formed, alongside new alliances. But why do some partnerships fail and others succeed? Ultimately, it’s about trust and a shared vision based on market realities.

Using history as his guide, Grayson Brulte, Host of SAE Tomorrow Today, provides real-life examples and discusses the importance of partnerships in advancing the future of mobility.

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. 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 reviewon your preferred podcasting platform.

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149. Improved EV Charging Meets a More Equitable Workforce Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Planning a road trip in your EV? You may be worried about charging station reliability. But one company is boosting EV charging uptime, improving consumer confidence, and advancing economic mobility.

ChargerHelp! is a technology company committed to preparing workers from all backgrounds to diagnose and repair the wide range of unique EV charging technologies on the market today through their scalable safety and training curriculum. The company recently partnered with SAE to develop standards around an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) technician certification program that helps underutilized, high-performing professionals overcome the skills gap. This partnership was highlighted in a recent press release from the White House on new standards and progress for a made-in-America national network of EV chargers.

We sat down with founders Kameale C. Terry, Chief Executive Officer, and Evette Ellis, Chief Workforce Officer, and Frank Menchaca, President, SAE Sustainable Mobility Solutions, to learn how ChargerHelp! is bridging the gap between technology, policy, and workforce development to support mass EV adoption and arm individuals with the skills they need to succeed in the new green economy.

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 reviewon your preferred podcasting platform.

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Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

148. Michigan: The New Epicenter of Aerospace Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

As the birthplace of the automotive industry and the home of several aviation firsts, Michigan offers unique advantages to the rapidly expanding space economy.

To make the most of this opportunity, the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) has convened three public-private partnerships: the Michigan Launch Initiative, Space-Enabled Communications for Advanced Mobility, and the Mid-America Hypersonic Suborbital Test Range. These programs provide a collaborative platform for public-private partners to support satellite launch capabilities, test commercial and national security applications, and expand 5G connectivity, among other opportunities.

We sat down with Gavin P. Brown, Executive Director, MAMA, to discuss these exciting initiatives and learn how the organization is positioning Michigan as a leader in all phases of aerospace manufacturing—from tool and die all the way through final assembly—by leaning on the state’s rich automotive and aviation history.

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147. Sustainable Rubber Hits the Road Feb 02, 2023

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When the rubber hits the road, one tire company stands out among the rest. From raw material traceability to supply chain transparency, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is not only helping to do what’s good for business, but what’s good for the planet.

Driven by an ambitious sustainability strategy, Goodyear has set goals to develop a tire made of 100% sustainable materials by 2030 and using only renewable energy in its manufacturing facilities and operations by 2040. The company is even working to develop a domestic source of natural rubber from a specific species of dandelion in collaboration with the Department of Defense, the Air Force Research Lab, BioMADE and Farmed Materials.

To learn more about Goodyear’s impressive sustainability journey, we sat down with Ellis Jones, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. He discusses the company’s uniquely strong culture, the importance of working collaboratively with small farms, and the development of new sustainable tire materials.

You’ll even get a glimpse into the future with intelligent tires that enable fleets to identify and address problems in real time—and learn how Goodyear is evolving its products as EVs and AVs hit the road.

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146. UNPLUGGED: What’s Hindering the Future of AVs and EVs? Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

The success of future mobility solutions is defined by one thing: convenience.

In our first “unplugged” edition, Grayson Brulte, Host of SAE Tomorrow Today, shares his candid take on what’s holding us back from a future that’s both electric and autonomous—and what can be done to change it.

From his experiences traveling to Disney World in an EV to visiting the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Grayson breaks down the importance of building a reliable infrastructure and creating a consumer experience that’s both scalable and practical.

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145. Making Life Easier With Autonomous Delivery Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Picture this: An eco-friendly, zero-occupant AV that delivers items like groceries and prescriptions to your doorstep—all while prioritizing the safety of others. Leading AV company Nuro is doing just that.

By transforming local commerce with goods-focused AV delivery solutions, Nuro is saving consumers valuable time while striving to make streets safer and cities more livable. The hardware, software, and behavior of Nuro’s custom autonomous delivery vehicles are designed to prioritize the safety, even earning the company a first-of-its-kind autonomous vehicle exemption from the US Dept of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as the first commercial deployment permit in the state of California.

From delivering packages for FedEx, pizza from Domino’s, and groceries from Kroger, Nuro’s integrated partnerships are a huge piece of its growth strategy. The company has also signed a 10-year partnership with Uber and piloted autonomous local delivery for communities in Texas, Arizona, and California.

We sat down with Petch Jirapinyo, Head of Commercialization at Nuro, to discuss the company’s innovative technology, strong partnerships, and successful go-to-market strategy. It’s an insightful conversation that offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous delivery.

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144. Financial Twists & Turns of the AV Market Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

From market consolidation to economic downturns, the mobility industry is facing many twists and turns.

When it comes to the AV market, there’s a lot to unpack. From strategy to capital flow to the media’s impact on potential investments, the financial state of the public and private AV market—and what the future holds for autonomy—is top of mind for stakeholders and consumers.

For insight into these trends, we sat down with Mark Gottfredson, Partner at Bain & Company, a leading global consultancy firm. As a 30-year Bain veteran and co-head of the Americas Automotive & Mobility practice, Mark discusses the perception of the AV industry, investor confidence in the sector, the impact of inflation, and what happens if we go into a recession.

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143. The Problem(s) with Replacing Fossil Fuels Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

Don't miss 2023's most-watched episode of SAE Tomorrow Today!

From geopolitical pressures to the shunning of fossil fuels, there is no question the current state of energy in the US and globally is a mess. One possible answer? An “all of the above” approach.

For candid insight into this topic, we sat down with Mark P. Mills, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a faculty fellow at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Mark served in the White House Science Office under President Reagan and subsequently provided science and technology policy counsel to a variety of private-sector firms, the Department of Energy, and U.S. research laboratories. He began his career as an experimental physicist and development engineer in microprocessors and fiber optics.

As part of this wide-ranging discussion, Mark shares his views on the need for hydrocarbon, the instability of the grid, energy’s relationship to inflation, the US dependance on China, and why there should be a holistic approach to the world’s energy needs.

Mark is author of the book The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will Unleash the Next Economic Boom and a Roaring 2020s and host of the new podcast The Last Optimist. He is also author of Digital Cathedrals (2020), and Work in the Age of Robots (2018). His articles have been published widely, including in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, and Real Clear. Mills has appeared as a guest on CNN, Fox, NBC, PBS, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has testified before Congress numerous times, and briefed state public-service commissions and legislators.

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142. Building Safer AVs with ISA and HD Map Technology Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

More than 35 years ago, HERE Technologies created the first digital map. Today, they are the world's leading location platform company with a global footprint across 52 countries.

The HERE HD Live Map recently launched on the BMW 7 Series in the US and Canada helps the vehicle reach SAE Level 2+ (ADAS) at 80 mph. This means the car can be driven hands-free on interstates and highways. The only condition is that drivers must stay focused and be ready to take control if necessary.

Last summer, Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) became mandatory in new vehicles in the EU thus requiring the legal speed limit to be visible to drivers at all times. In response, the HERE ISA Map provides accurate speed limit information by informing drivers of the speed limits on the roads they are driving, warning them if they are exceeding the speed limit, and can even be programmed to prevent them from going over the speed limit.

We sat down with Philip Hubertus, Director of Product Management, Driver Assistance & Automated Driving Maps, and Kristin Thompson, Project Manager, to discuss HERE Technologies’ HD Live Map and ISA technology, its adoption around the globe, and the future of autonomous driving.

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141. Climate Neutral Flying with an Aerospace Leader Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Bringing zero-emission commercial aircraft to market by 2035? That’s just the beginning for one global aerospace pioneer.

Airbus has long designed, manufactured and delivered products and services for the commercial aircraft, helicopter, defense and space sectors. While the company is renowned for its exceptional aerospace solutions, they are also at the forefront of decarbonization and sustainable aviation.

Today, Airbus aircraft can operate on a 50% blend of sustainable biofuel made up of food and animal byproducts (think: leftover French fry grease). By 2030, that percentage will rise to 100%. Not only is Airbus promoting the use of sustainable biofuel in aviation, but they plan to move beyond biofuel with the creation of synthetic fuels that don’t include petroleum, animal, food or agricultural byproducts.

While the move away from traditional fuel sources will take time, Airbus is dedicated to supporting the aviation industry and the world through decarbonization standards and innovations related to biofuel, hydrogen, electric flight, fleet renewal, climate monitoring and so much more.

For insight into the company’s sustainable aviation strategy, we sat down with Amanda Simpson, Vice President, Research and Technology. Hear how Airbus is using its strength in innovation and strong partnerships to build better aircraft while protecting the environment for future generations.

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