SAE Tomorrow Today

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10. The Future of Urban Air Mobility – Mark Moore, Director of Strategy, Uber Elevate Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

We take to the sky as a pioneering voice in VTOL, Mark Moore, Director of Strategy at Uber Elevate, joins host Grayson Brulte to walk through his journey from NASA to Uber and how eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) will lead to redesigned cities with transportation freedom.

Mark breaks down the misconceptions of eVTOLs and their benefits compared to helicopters, including reduced noise pollution and the safety parameters built into eVTOL design that create thrusting control redundancies to ensure continued operation even if a part is broken. He shares his unique perspective on how the traditional roles of commercial operators and government agencies have flipped with Silicon Valley leading the charge on the technological innovations and capital investment for eVTOLs.

The two discuss Uber’s Elevate strategy of collaboration for the establishment of an ecosystem of developers, public officials and key stakeholders to make the endeavor a reality. Mark compares the current and future eVTOL landscape with that of the early days of aviation and offers his insight on how the industry will evolve over the next two decades to allow city planners to “take off the gloves” and redesign cities for productivity around a nodal mobility system.

And for the first time, Mark shares with Grayson how his groundbreaking “NASA Puffin Electric Tailsitter VTOL Concept” paper caught the eye of Google’s Larry Page and ultimately led to a meeting where Larry showed Mark the building where he was going to start the industry’s first eVTOL company.

Learn more about Uber Elevate at https://www.uber.com/us/en/elevate/.

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9. The Future of Delivery is Autonomous – Gautam Narang, Co-Founder and CEO, Gatik AI Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

The “middle mile” is the segment where Gatik AI is planting its flag. Gautam Narang, Co-Founder and CEO of Gatik AI, joins host Grayson Brulte to talk about how the company’s focus on middle mile autonomous delivery to help alleviate logistical and delivery challenges has set them apart from others in the AV industry.

The conversation kicks off with how Gautam’s early life played a major role in the founding of Gatik, starting with his mother’s job as a science teacher in India spurring his interest in robotics to his professional desire to have a big impact on society. Gautam and Grayson discuss recent developments at Gatik, including the launch of the autonomous box truck and partnership with Walmart, which have helped enable the retailer’s rapid growth of online grocery delivery.

They also identify Gatik’s target market segments, thoughtful approach to growth, and goal to serve entire middle mile segment with different kind of form factors. As the conversation turns to shifting delivery time expectations, Gautam explains how the further adoption of a hub-and-spoke model has increased the number of delivery routes and need for more trucks, which has allowed Gatik’s autonomous solution to prosper.

The two examine COVID-19’s impact on the surge of online grocery shopping and how contactless delivery is here to stay. The conversation concludes with some prognostication of future trends in logistics and “middle mile” autonomous delivery.

Learn more about Gatik AI at http://gatik.ai.

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Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

8. Times When You Have to Take the Right Risk – David Estrada, Chief Legal Officer, Nuro Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

David Estrada, Chief Legal Officer at Nuro, joins host Grayson Brulte to discuss the leading factors of the mobility revolution. David kicks off by sharing the familial inspiration that shaped his well-rounded perspective.

The two dive right in to how mobility has changed over the past two years and the role that tech companies’ heavy investment in self-driving cars will shape the future. David then shares his perspective on how an elected official’s first impression of riding in an AV compared to his own. Grayson and David dig into how the vision of Larry Page at Google pushed investment and development into AV.

David then shares insights on driving behaviors and what kinds of trips can be replaced by AVs. The two look at what’s next for Nuro’s AV delivery services, why Houston as the ideal test market for AV delivery services, the benefits of Nuro’s vehicles and the greatest challenges for scaling services.

The AV conversation shifts to why SAE Level 2 automated systems will eventually become commonplace in future vehicles. And finally, “Tomorrow Man” offers his insights on flying cars and the challenges that urban air/eVTOL must overcome to increase widespread adoption and development in major cities worldwide.

Learn more about Nuro at https://nuro.ai/.

Subscribe to SAE Tomorrow Today or visit www.sae.org/podcasts to stay up to date on all the latest information from SAE. Follow SAE on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

7. Creating a Technological Backbone for Connectivity – Jeff Stewart, Assistant Vice President of Global Public Policy, AT&T Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Technological advancements are the backbone for mass deployment of connected solutions. When Jeff Stewart, Assistant Vice President of Global Public Policy at AT&T, joins host Grayson Brulte at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting, they run the gamut of innovations impacting the world around us.

As the world shifts focus to 5G, Jeff shares AT&T’s 5G policy, explores what the town of the future looks like and digs into the importance of fiber backhaul for continued advancement. Grayson and Jeff talk about the importance of cyber security as it relates to developing public trust of technology and bridging the gap between politicians and connectivity.

Jeff then provides details on the AT&T Drive Studio Lab that has positioned the company in the AV sector with its first facility solely dedicated to connected car innovation and research.

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Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

6. Diversified Oil Companies Will Become Diversified Energy Companies – Vince Lichtinger, Manager of Fuels and Emerging Technology Group, Marathon Petroleum Corporation Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

To close out the first series of SAE Tomorrow Today, Vince Lichtinger, Manager of Fuels and Emerging Technology Group at the Marathon Petroleum Corporation, talks with host Grayson Brulte at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting about the changes in the petroleum business over his 31-year career and the impact that Marathon has had on the industry.

Vince discusses the ever-increasing importance of educating consumers about petroleum technology as the demand for energy continues to grow. Grayson steers the conversation to get Vince’s thoughts on the industry’s shift to autonomy and how that impacts the future of Marathon.

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5. Design Technology with Children in Mind – Valentina Graci, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Hospitals aren’t often associated with mobility innovation. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) shifts that thinking.

Valentina Graci, Ph.D., a research scientist at CIRP/CHOP, sits down with host Grayson Brulte at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting to discuss all things child safety in vehicles, including her research efforts on automotive safety, autonomous vehicles warnings, safe seat design and position, seatbelts and why AV designs should consider the current and future unique safety needs of children.

Valentina details why CHOP is focusing on AV research, discusses the proper use of booster seats for keeping children safe and looks to when children might ride in an AV without a parent.

Subscribe to SAE Tomorrow Today or visit www.sae.org/podcasts to stay up to date on all the latest information from SAE. Follow SAE on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

4. Building Government Trust in AVs – Brad Stertz, Director of Government Affairs, Audi Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

The career journey of Brad Stertz, Director of Government Affairs at Audi, took him from the news desk to a leadership role in the automotive industry.

Brad joins host Grayson Brulte at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting to talk about the importance of showcasing autonomous technology to local government officials as a way to create understanding and develop legislation.

Throughout the conversation, Brad shares his insights on a number of government-related topics, including the differing AV policy laws in New York, California and Florida, as well as how the deployment of scooters in cities compares to AVs.

Grayson and Brad discuss the importance of the perception of AV safety among public and government officials, focusing on the false narratives in the Autonomous Vehicle Engagement Reports, building trust and the AV Start Act.

Subscribe to SAE Tomorrow Today or visit www.sae.org/podcasts to stay up to date on all the latest information from SAE. Follow SAE on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

3. Oil and Natural Gas… Driving Industry and Technology – Dr. R. Dean Foreman, Chief Economist, API Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Dr. R. Dean Foreman, Chief Economist at API, talks with host Grayson Brulte at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting about the strides the natural gas and oil industry has made over the past decade to drive innovative solutions to the real-world problems of today.

Dean discusses the efforts that the industry is focusing on to remain part of the climate change solution, while looking at the new technologies being employed to deliver results.

As the automotive industry shifts priorities to electric vehicles, Dean speaks to the immediate market trends to focus on the increasing market share of natural gas for power generation as a cost alternative option for today’s needs and the supply chain issues impacting the EV market.

Grayson and Dean wrap up their conversation exploring the future of the changing industry in the U.S.

Subscribe to SAE Tomorrow Today or visit www.sae.org/podcasts to stay up to date on all the latest information from SAE. Follow SAE on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

2. Our Trucks Have to Drive Like a Human – Robert Brown, Head of Public & Government Affairs, TuSimple Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Robert Brown, Head of Public & Government Affairs at TuSimple, joins host Grayson Brulte at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting to discuss the current and future state of autonomous trucking. Robert shares TuSimple’s focus on achieving SAE J3016 Level 4 automation for heavy duty trucks, expansion plans into Australia, vision for using EVs for long-haul, last deployment and collegiate-level automated trucking program.

Grayson and Robert also highlight the benefits of automation to everyday consumers and the economy. The conversation turns to the impact of automation on long-haul trucking jobs, the current state of the trucking industry and how TuSimple is learning from drivers to ensure that their trucks drive like a human.

To close out the discussion, Grayson and Robert review the innovative features TuSimple is introducing to the market, safety culture and perception of autonomous trucking’s impact on the U.S. economy.

Subscribe to SAE Tomorrow Today or visit www.sae.org/podcasts to stay up to date on all the latest information from SAE. Follow SAE on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Hear more from Robert Brown during his panel discussion as SAE’s WCX 2020: www.sae.org/attend/wcx.

1. I Count Progress in Lives Saved - Mark R. Rosekind, Chief Safety Innovation Officer, Zoox Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Zoox is driving autonomously in ways that no one else has shown. The company’s approach makes Chief Safety Innovation Officer Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D, the perfect inaugural guest for SAE Tomorrow Today.

Host Grayson Brulte sits down with Mark at SAE’s Government/Industry Meeting to discuss Mark’s unique background as a scientist studying sleep at NASA and at NHTSA, and how those experiences shaped his efforts at Zoox.

Grayson and Mark focus much of their conversation on Zoox’s commitment to safety, including the importance of seatbelt usage and how different testing environments impact policy. Mark also dives into a deep discussion about the powerful impact that his father’s role as a police officer played in forging Zoox’s transparent partnership with law enforcement officials and why he “always counts progress in lives saved".

Subscribe to SAE Tomorrow Today or visit www.sae.org/podcasts to stay up to date on all the latest information from SAE.

Follow SAE on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Learn more about SAE’s events by visiting: www.sae.org/attend.

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