SAE Tomorrow Today

Latest Episodes:

301. UNPLUGGED: ADAS Takeover: Are Drivers Ready to Let Go? Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

With Ford’s BlueCruise logging 58 million miles in 2024 and GM’s Super Cruise generating hundreds of millions in revenue, more and more drivers are embracing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to arrive at their destination more relaxed and alert.

In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte dives into reports from various automakers, Goldman Sachs, and Consumer Reports to show just how widespread ADAS adoption has become. He also explores the surprising benefits of “relaxed driving” and how hands-free driving systems could become as commonplace as cruise control.

Have your own thoughts on this topic? 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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300. Why Vehicle Weight Matters More Than You Think Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

When it comes to cars, it’s not just what’s under the hood that matters — it’s what’s on the scale.

According to a new book, Critical Mass: The One Thing You Need to Know About Green Cars, a vehicle’s damage to the planet can be boiled down to a simple formula: mass multiplied by distance traveled. EVs tend to be around 700 pounds heavier than comparable combustion vehicles which exacerbates tire pollution and road wear issues, creating significant environmental impact beyond just tailpipe emissions.

Listen in as we sit down with authors Nick Molden, founder and CEO of Emissions Analytics, and Felix Leach, Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, to discuss their idea for a weight-based tax system that future-proofs tax revenue while nudging consumers toward lighter, more sustainable 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 reviewon your preferred podcasting platform.

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299. AVs in Europe: Balancing Innovation and Regulation Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

What does it take to bring safe, reliable autonomous vehicles to Europe’s roads? From shifting to performance-based regulations for L3 and L4 Systems to the role of human oversight, the European Commission Joint Research Centre is using technology, policy, and collaboration to drive the future of autonomy.

Listen in as we sit down with members Akos Kriston, Officer, Scientific Research for ADAS, and Espedito Rusciano, Programme Manager, Scientific Research for Connected, Automated and Smart Mobility, to discuss the EU’s evolving approach to semi and fully autonomous driving.

You’ll learn how projects like HIDDEN are pushing the boundaries of safety in complex urban environments, how the Open Regulatory Framework could shape the next decade of mobility, and why international collaboration is key to success.

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298. Tracking Critical Minerals Across the EV Battery Lifecycle Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

The battery supply chain is one of the most complex in the world, built on critical minerals that stretch across continents and raise tough questions about accountability. But how do you bring order and transparency to something so massive?

Listen in as we sit down with Frank Menchaca, Founder, Auzolan LLC, and sponsor of SAE International Battery Global Traceability Committee, to explore how a new global standard (SAE J3327) has been developed to tackle EV battery traceability, combat issues like child labor and forced labor, and comply with various government regulations. We’ll also dive into the economic benefits — like cost savings and recycling — and the impact on national security, defense, and data storage.

From lessons learned to practical solutions for suppliers of all sizes, this conversation uncovers what a fully transparent, circular battery economy could look like — and why automakers, regulators, and consumers should all pay attention.

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297. UNPLUGGED: Why Robo-Taxis Are Losing the Battle for Energy Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

The staggering energy demands of AI data centers are set to consume 12% of America’s electricity by 2028 — and tech giants are investing billions to secure supply. This leaves robo-taxi operators fighting for scraps in an energy market dominated by hyperscalers who are set to spend $322 billion combined this year alone.

In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte breaks down why energy is the real roadblock to autonomy and whether bold solutions like natural gas-powered depots could change the game for robo-taxi developers struggling to scale.

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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296. Powering A Cleaner Commercial Vehicle Industry Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

From battery-electric trucks to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the company behind Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF is leading the charge toward zero-emissions.

PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture, and customer support of premium light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The company is also actively investing in zero-emission technologies, positioning itself as a leader in the transition to cleaner commercial vehicles.

To learn more, we sat down with Dr. Philip Stephenson, General Manager, PACCAR Technical Center and Executive Chair of this year’s COMVEC, the annual commercial vehicle engineering conference hosted by SAE International. Listen in for an engaging discussion on PACCAR’s approach to battery-electric trucks, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and charging infrastructure partnerships.

And if you enjoyed this conversation, register now for COMVEC and join us as we bring together industry leaders, engineers, and innovators to discuss the latest advancements in on- and off-highway mobility technologies.

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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295. How the NVIDIA-Magna Collaboration Is Redefining Autonomy Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

From next-gen chipsets to scalable autonomous driving solutions, Magna’s groundbreaking partnership with NVIDIA is paving the way for the next generation of software-defined, AI-powered vehicles.

By harnessing NVIDIA’s new Blackwell GPU architecture to enable ADAS and L2+ through L4 capabilities, Magna is blending its deep automotive expertise with powerful AI compute to redefine what’s possible for both in-vehicle experiences and autonomous driving.

To learn more, we sat down with Steven Jenkins, Vice President of Technology & Strategy at Magna International, to discuss the company’s collaboration with NVIDIA, navigating legacy mindsets, and scaling vehicle intelligence across global markets.

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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294. How Battery Chemistry Is Changing the EV Game Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

The key to unlocking EV efficiency lies in the chemistry of the battery itself — and emerging technologies like lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) tackling range anxiety head-on.

Leading the way is Integrals Power, a UK-based company pushing the boundaries of battery innovation by engineering cells that offer up to 20% more range compared to conventional chemistries. LMFP serves as a drop-in replacement, making it easier for manufacturers to adopt while maintaining safety and extending battery life. By improving cathode chemistry — where up to 30% of battery pack costs lie — the company is positioning itself as a leader in scalable, cost-effective solutions for EV makers.

To learn more, we sat down with Behnam Hormozi, CEO and Founder, to discuss how Integrals Power’s approach to battery design is boosting EV range, cutting costs, and transforming the UK into a global battery powerhouse.

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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293. How Buses Are Leading the Self-Driving Revolution Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Thanks to their fixed routes and predictable environments, commercial vehicles like airport shuttles and public transit buses are proving to be the perfect match for SAE Level 4 automation.

One company at the forefront of this transformation is Fusion Processing, a global leader in automated driving, situational awareness, and control systems. Fusion has logged over 90,000 kilometers of on-highway autonomous driving — more than any other AV company in Europe. Their innovative technologies, including CAVstar and CycleEye, are already delivering tangible benefits in real-world commercial vehicle fleets, from freight to passenger services.

To learn more, we sat down with Jim Hutchinson, Co-Founder and CEO, to discuss the future of transit and how Fusion is working to scale autonomous buses globally.

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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292. UNPLUGGED: Redefining Aerospace: Supersonic Travel, eVTOLs, and Drones Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Aerospace is undergoing its biggest shift since the Jet Age, with innovations like supersonic jets, eVTOLs, and drones set to redefine travel and delivery. As we enter this new era of aviation, how will these technologies reshape our daily lives?

In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte discusses the transformation of aerospace and the impact these new technologies will have on society.

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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