SAE Tomorrow Today

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291. How Simulation is Shaping the Future of Motorsports Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

From driver training to vehicle engineering and strategy development, simulation is no longer just a tool — it’s a competitive advantage. Top racing teams are using simulators to optimize car setups, dramatically cutting down on testing time and maximizing on-track performance. But the impact of simulation goes far beyond the racetrack.

With cutting-edge realism and high-bandwidth systems, Dynisma is helping elite drivers stay sharp while accelerating product development for automotive manufacturers. Dynisma Motion Generators (DMGs) create detailed 3-D environments that include driver behavior and environmental factors, and accurately model the physical characteristics of vehicles, such as tire performance and surface interactions.

To learn more, we sat down with Simon Holloway, Commercial Director, to discuss how Dynisma’s data-driven engineering is revolutionizing simulation in both the motorsport and automotive sectors to enhance performance, safety, and efficiency.

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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290. UNPLUGGED: What Happens When EV Tax Credits End? Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

The signing of the “Big Beautiful Bill” by President Trump is poised to end both the $7,500 new EV tax credit as well as the $4,000 used EV tax credit on September 30. If these EV tax credits go away, what happens? Do EV sales slow down dramatically? Or do they hold steady? How will automakers and battery manufacturers react?

In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte discusses how the end of EV tax credits could impact new and used EV sales, consumer behavior, and the broader battery manufacturing industry.

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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289. What Happens After a Crash? The Push for Safer AVs Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

What happens after an AV crashes? That split-second response can make all the difference—and that’s exactly what the Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) is focused on.

Backed by decades of engineering and mobility expertise, the AVSC brings together top minds in AV development to align on critical safety issues. Their latest work tackles one of the most urgent: how these vehicles should react and communicate after a crash. As AVs expand from test fleets to real-world deployments, the industry needs clear guidance now more than ever.

Listen in as we sit down with Jonathan Barentine, Principal Engineer at the AVSC, to discuss the organization’s just-released best practices for automated driving systems in the moments following a collision.

You’ll learn how the AVSC is working with first responders, manufacturers, and policymakers to develop scenario-based protocols that prioritize effective communication, safety management, and a culture of accountability.

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288. Smarter Automotive Testing with AI and Simulation Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

The new test track isn’t asphalt—it’s AI and simulation. From hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) to real-time performance analytics, new innovations are reshaping how vehicles are designed, validated, and brought to market.

At the forefront of this transformation is A&D Technology, a leader in integrated test automation and lab management solutions for the transportation and energy markets. By integrating AI-driven analytics with high-fidelity simulation environments, the company is empowering automotive engineers to streamline testing workflows, reduce physical prototypes, and accelerate innovation in everything from EV powertrains to autonomous systems.

To learn more, we sat down with Mike Uhl, President & CEO, to discuss how A&D Technology’s work in simulation and test automation is helping engineers bring the next generation of mobility technologies to life.

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287. Women Breaking Barriers in Aerospace and Beyond Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Despite decades of progress, the number of women in engineering remains stubbornly low — especially in aerospace and mechanical engineering.

But that isn’t stopping the winner of the Aerospace/Defense category in the inaugural Women in Engineering: Rising Star Awards.

Heather Cummings is Senior Engineer, Flight Controls & Autonomy for Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company. She leads the development of hybrid electric propulsion controls and vehicle management systems for Sikorsky’s next-gen HEX and RBW, including groundbreaking work on fully autonomous cargo aircraft. A licensed pilot, Heather is passionate about improving flight safety through automation and mentoring the next generation of aspiring engineers.

In this special episode, Heather and Chitra Sethi, Director of Editorial & Digital Content, SAE Media Group, discuss the mission behind the Rising Star Awards, the importance of visibility for women in STEM, and why inspiring the next generation is just as critical as technological innovation.

If you’d like to nominate a trailblazing female engineer (or yourself), visit www.techbriefs.com/rsa. Nominations close on July 22, 2025. Winners will be spotlighted across SAE Media Group’s publications, websites, e-newsletters, and social media channels.

To learn more about Sikorsky, check out our previous episode with Heather’s co-worker, Igor Cherepinsky, on the future of vertical lift.

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286. Digital Engineering for Defense and Beyond Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

If you were to build the perfect use case for the potential of digital engineering, you would be hard-pressed to choose a better sector than the defense industry. That’s why the Pentagon isn’t just intrigued by digital engineering—it’s made it mandatory.

As the U.S. military targets groundbreaking technology improvements that safeguard lives and improve defense capabilities, Ansys is helping connect the dots between people, processes, and technology with the predictive power of simulation. Establishing a digital engineering ecosystem, including digital twins, contributes to the resilience and adaptability of innovations across industries.

To learn more, we sat down with Dr. Armond E. Sinclair, Sr. Technical Account Executive for Ansys Government Initiatives, to discuss how digital engineering is enabling smarter decision-making, reducing costs, and accelerating innovation at the Department of Defense (DoD) and beyond.

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285. The Hidden Role of Battery Vents in EV Safety and Adoption Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

One failure can reshape public trust in EVs overnight. That’s why every detail matters—and why collaboration across the entire EV ecosystem is critical.

Even small components like battery pack vents play an outsized role in preventing thermal runaway events, explosions, and fires. The SAE Battery Pack Venting Committee understands this challenge and answered the call with the new SAE J3325™ Technical Information Report—a guide to designing, testing, and integrating battery vents that perform when it matters most.

To dive deeper, we spoke with Dr. Michael Harenbrock, Principal Expert of Electric Mobility at MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, and chair of the SAE Battery Pack Venting Committee, about how SAE J3325 is helping engineers enhance EV battery safety—and how their work evolves to keep pace with emerging ventilation technologies and trends.

Want to help shape the future of EV safety? Join an SAE Committee today! Contact Standards Specialist Dante Rahdar at dante.rahdar@sae.org.

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284. Removing Roadblocks to Fleet Electrification Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

What does it really take to electrify America’s fleets? From skyrocketing insurance rates to policy risks to reduced incentives, the market dynamics are complex.

Enter Electrada, a Cincinnati-based EV infrastructure company revolutionizing how fleets transition to clean energy. As the developer, owner, and operator of electric fueling assets, Electrada offers a unique 360 Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model that delivers zero capital investment, 99%+ uptime, predictable pricing, and expert management. Serving all fleet types across multiple transportation sectors, Electrada designs fully tailored, long-term EV charging solutions that reduce cost per mile from day one with no operational disruptions or price risk.

Listen in as we sit down with Kevin Kushman, CEO of Electrada, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the North American fleet electrification market.

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283. Riding the EV Wave With Smarter Batteries May 29, 2025

Show notes

As OEMs race to deliver new vehicle lineups with greater speed and efficiency, the industry finds itself navigating a complex crossroads between full EVs and hybrid models.

That’s where ENNOVI steps in. With a focus on smarter battery management and cutting-edge electrical architecture, ENNOVI is staying agile—offering the right product mix to help OEMs and suppliers ride the wave of electrification, battery technology improvements, and market shifts without missing a beat.

Listen in as we sit down with Ron Puhl, Global Director of Engineering and Product Portfolio, to discuss how ENNOVI’s Current Collector System (CCS) is helping to improve the overall package size of batteries while reducing costs. It’s a unique discussion with deep insight into consumer EV demand and industry trends.

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281. How Autonomy is Breathing New Life into Farming May 15, 2025

Show notes

Labor shortages are pushing many family farms to the brink. The solution? Autonomous technology which is emerging as a game-changer—boosting productivity, cutting risk, and giving family farms a fighting chance to thrive for generations to come.

At the forefront of this transformation is Blue River Technology, a John Deere subsidiary leading the charge in precision agriculture. From AI-driven tools to autonomous machinery, the company is helping to build the future of farming the John Deere way, meeting farmers in the field and designing solutions grounded in real-world challenges.

With safety and scalability built in, farmers can start small with retrofit kits that upgrade existing tractors, making automation more accessible than ever.

To learn more, we caught up with Aaron Wells, Director of Engineering at Blue River, to explore how automation is transforming agriculture and giving farmers the tools they need to stay ahead—despite labor challenges.

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