On the Move: A Siemens Automotive Podcast

A question of modularity for software-defined products in Heavy Equipment and Automotive - On the Move S01E11

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0000

For episode 11 of On the Move, we are wrapping up a three-part discussion around the similarities of Heavy Equipment (HE) and Automotive industries to deliver software-defined products (SDPs) more effectively. HE products already require long usage lives and high reliability which has created an incentive for modularization similar to aerospace. But the increased cost of autonomy features in automotive and the need to update software continuously is pushing OEMs in that same direction as they grapple with changing market demands.

To talk about how that is happening in the development and business planning, our host Nand Kochhar (VP of Automotive and Transportation) and moderator Michael Severson talk with Hendrick Lange (Senior Director of Heavy Equipment at Siemens Digital Industries) and Akshay Sheorey (Automotive and Transportation Industry Specialist for Autonomy)

Successful SDPs include the ongoing supply chain development and post-delivery services - On the Move S01E10

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0000

For episode 10 of On the Move, an automotive podcast from Siemens, we have part two three talking with experts on heavy equipment and autonomy, how it relates to the automotive industry and lessons we can learn between them. In part one we outlined the value of software-defined products (SDPs) when facing the challenges of today’s market. This episode focusses on how this shift is changing the business and how they develop new products.

Our host Nand Kochhar (VP of the Automotive and Transportation Industries) and moderator Michael Severson are joined by Hendrick Lange (Senior Director of Heavy Equipment at Siemens Digital Industries) and Akshay Sheorey (Automotive and Transportation Industry Specialist for Autonomy). Hit play and listen in on how these experts talk about reorganizing supply chains and delivering post-delivery feature updates and fixes.

Convergent and divergent needs of the automotive and heavy equipment industries - On the Move S01E09

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Automotive and the heavy equipment industries face similar challenges on the round to deploying software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and autonomy more efficiently. But the strategies underlying each approach is an interesting point of discussion. Heavy equipment OEMs have a much greater emphasis on long lasting products, but making SDVs and software-defined equipment is changing this once basic difference between the industries.

To talk about the ongoing changes in the two parallel industries and the solutions driving transformation of transportation, in this three-part series on heavy equipment and autonomous functionality in software-defined product, we have Hendrick Lange (Senior Director of Heavy Equipment at Siemens Digital Industries) and Akshay Sheorey (Automotive and Transportation Industry Specialist for Autonomy). For the next three episode, our host, Nand Kochhar (VP of the Automotive and Transportation Industries) and moderator Michael Severson (Senior Automotive Marketing Manager at Siemens) will discuss the ins and out of software, electronics, and more.

Strategies for bringing software-defined vehicles to market - On the Move S01E08

Wed, 14 May 2025 16:00:00 -0000

Episode eight of On the Move: A Siemens Automotive podcast is out and we’re wrapping up our three-part conversation with Nand Kochhar, Michael Severson, David Fritz, and Michael Munsey. In parts one and two we covered some of the trends leading to the software-defined vehicles on the road today as well as how the drastic changes to development are being tackled with the Digital Twin and greater collaboration across the value chain.

This episode will focus on applying the strategies of digitalization to an increasingly common set of features in modern vehicles – autonomy and electrification. Autonomous safety features are almost standard, with adaptive cruise control and other autonomous driver assistances systems creating clear benefits for manufacturers, drivers, and pedestrians alike. And the growth of electronics in vehicles is changing more than the engineering and design processes in this competitive automotive market.

Speaking the language of software and electronics in automotive - On the Move S01E07

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:00:00 -0000

We’re back for episode seven of On the Move: A Siemens Automotive podcast. This is part two of Nand Kochhar and Michael Severson’s conversation with Michael Munsey and David Fritz on the changes the software-defined vehicle is bringing to the automotive market. In the last episode we focused on some of the journey to SDV ubiquity and how we are helping merge vehicle manufacturing, semiconductor development, and software within the Digital Twin.

For this episode we are examining why using a common development language and engineering platform is so important to successfully delivering a software-defined vehicle. Beyond communicating more complex requirements with suppliers and internal development groups, a digital-first approach helps accelerate innovation and help compress ballooning vehicle program timelines.

Defining the software-defined vehicle - On the Move S01E06

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:43:00 -0000

It's time for another episode of On the Move: An Siemens Automotive podcast. We’ve found a new host and lined up some great conversations. In this episode, Michael Severson and Nand Kochhar (VP of Automotive and Transportation) sit down with two experts on the electronics and software that is taking over how we define a vehicle – Michael Munsey and David Fritz.

In this first part of three, we delve into the shift automotive manufacturers and the entire value chain is experiencing to deliver software-defined vehicles. Electronics and software might entail more learning, but it is fast becoming the best leverage tool to deliver enhanced vehicle functionality and performance. It’s time to learn how we are helping integrate software and semiconductor development into the Digital Twin for today’s modern vehicles.

The power of partnerships in software defined vehicles - On the Move S01E05

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0000

It’s time for another episode of On the Move, an automotive podcast from Siemens Digital Industries Software. As always, we have our host Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, to talk about all things automotive. To continue our current focus on the software defined vehicle and how changes to the market have necessitated changes to the tools, we are digging into the world of electronics, software and networks.

This episode is a continuation of our conversation with Doug Burcicki, Senior Director of Lifecycle Collaboration Software at Siemens. If you missed it, you might want to check out part one for some of the solutions our customers are implementing for software defined vehicles. But to learn about the partnership and collaboration side of the software defined vehicle, let’s dive right into the episode.

Driving electrical engineering, software and networks simultaneously - On the Move S01E04

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

We’re back with another episode of On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital Industries Software, to dive into the electrical engineering (EE) systems, the software architectures, and networks coming to dominate the development of modern vehicles. As with all episodes, we are joined by Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, along with our moderator Conor Peick, Writer for the Automotive and Transportation Industry, to discuss the shifting automotive landscape with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry.

For this episode on EE systems, software architecture, and vehicle networking, Nand sat down with Doug Burcicki – Senior Director of Lifecycle Collaboration Software at Siemens. Together, they talk about the changing demands of design for automotive and heavy industries, as well as the organizational shift to overcome the challenges they bring. Tune in to as we continue our series on the software defined vehicle for On the Move.

Ep 3 - The Software-Defined Future of Industry with Nand Kochhar and Dale Tutt- Part 2

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

The automotive and transportation industries are in the

middle of a transformation in how vehicles are designed, made, and sold. Driven

by an influx of new technologies, consumer demands, environmental pressures,

and a changing workforce in factories and offices, automotive companies are

pushing to reinvent fundamental aspects of their businesses. This includes

developing more advanced and capable vehicles, identifying new revenue sources,

improving customer experiences, and changing the ways in which features and

functionality are built into vehicles.

Welcome to On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital

Industries Software that will dive into the acceleration of mobility innovation

amid unprecedented change in the automotive and transportation industries. Join

hosts Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Conor Peick, Automotive

and Transportation Writer, as they dive into the shifting automotive landscape

with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry. Tune in to learn about

modern automotive design and engineering challenges, how software and

electronics have grown in use and importance, and where the industries might be

heading in the future.

In this episode, you will hear the second part of our discussion with Dale Tutt,

VP of Industry Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software. We talk about

the role of industrial and engineering software partners in the future of

automotive design, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and the challenge

of managing the engineering and production of the multitude of different

vehicle configurations that results from increasingly customizable vehicles.

Ep 2 - The Software-Defined Future of Industry with Nand Kochhar and Dale Tutt- Part 1

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:00:00 -0000

The automotive and transportation industries are in the

middle of a transformation in how vehicles are designed, made, and sold. Driven

by an influx of new technologies, consumer demands, environmental pressures,

and a changing workforce in factories and offices, automotive companies are

pushing to reinvent fundamental aspects of their businesses. This includes

developing more advanced and capable vehicles, identifying new revenue sources,

improving customer experiences, and changing the ways in which features and

functionality are built into vehicles.

Welcome to On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital

Industries Software that will dive into the acceleration of mobility innovation

amid unprecedented change in the automotive and transportation industries. Join

hosts Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Conor Peick, Automotive

and Transportation Writer, as they dive into the shifting automotive landscape

with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry. Tune in to learn about

modern automotive design and engineering challenges, how software and

electronics have grown in use and importance, and where the industries might be

heading in the future.

In this episode, Nand and Conor are joined by Dale Tutt, VP of Industry Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Dale joins us to dig into the software-defined trend taking shape in

the automotive industry. We connect this to market demands and compare it to

the increasing importance of software across many industries and segments.

Ep 1 - Introducing On the Move: A Siemens Automotive Podcast with Nand Kochhar

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0000

The automotive and transportation industries are in the

middle of a transformation in how vehicles are designed, made, and sold. Driven

by an influx of new technologies, consumer demands, environmental pressures,

and a changing workforce in factories and offices, automotive companies are

pushing to reinvent fundamental aspects of their businesses. This includes

developing more advanced and capable vehicles, identifying new revenue sources,

improving customer experiences, and changing the ways in which features and

functionality are built into vehicles.

Welcome to On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital

Industries Software that will dive into the acceleration of mobility innovation

amid unprecedented change in the automotive and transportation industries. Join

hosts Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Conor Peick, Automotive

and Transportation Writer, as they dive into the shifting automotive landscape

with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry. Tune in to learn about

modern automotive design and engineering challenges, how software and

electronics have grown in use and importance, and where the industries might be

heading in the future.

The Mind of a F1 Team Principal:Christian Horner on F1 & More-Part 2

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Christian Horner is a former race car driver, racing team founder, and the current Team Principal at Oracle Red Bull Racing. He’s also a star on Netflix’s Drive to Survive series and the husband of Spice Girl legend, Geri Halliwell. Christian is a man who has and does it all, and he’s here to tell us all about it in his interview with Future Car host, Ed Bernardon.

In this part two interview, Christian and Ed discuss sustainability within F1 and how new regulations are affecting vehicle design. Christian also shares some of his thoughts on Drive to Survive and, of course, Ed finishes their conversation by asking Christian some rapid fire questions.

Tune in to hear more!

Some Questions Asked

What can you tell us about the new powertrain and the challenges in developing it? (6:45)
What are some of the other things that you've done, or the sport in general has done, to make the carbon footprint less? (12:39)
Can you share maybe a memorable, or a funny moment behind the [Drive to Survive] camera that got cut? (16:05)
What's the greatest insight [Drive to Survive] has taught you about yourself, about the team, or even about maybe some of the other Principles? (16:43)
What do you think racing will be like in the year 2100? (18:01)

In This Episode You Will Learn

How Christian feels about one team dominating in a sport (1:46)
What Christian thinks should be done with F1 rules to have fine margins between cars (3:15)
What Christian thinks the influence of Drive to Survive is (5:45)
How Christian feels about the possible loss of the engine ‘roar’ if combustion engines are replaced with more sustainable fuel sources (14:51)

Connect with Christian Horner

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The Mind of a F1 Team Principal:Christian Horner on F1& More - Part 1

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0000

If you’re a fan of this podcast, then you’re surely a fan of Netflix’s hit show, Drive to Survive, where we get the inside scoop on the lives of drivers, managers, and team owners during the F1 season.

Well, in today’s Future Car episode, we get the inside-inside scoop as host Ed Bernardon sits down to talk with Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Christian Horner.

In Part 1 of this 2-part interview, Ed and Christian sit down to discuss what big changes Christian’s seen in F1 during his 20-year career as Team Principal. They also discuss how Red Bull Racing is balancing changes to F1 regulations, how he navigates the Team Principal Role, and a lot more!

Some Questions Asked

When you're on vacation, does racing pop in your mind a lot? (2:44)
How has having been a racecar driver in the past formed who you are as a Team Principal? (5:03)
If you could go back and change one decision you made when you were on the pit wall, which one would you change? (10:44)
What's some advice you can give to people that have to manage a big group of very passionate people? (17:00)
Were you able to take some extra time in the last year to put into the new car? (21:58)

In This Episode You Will Learn

The biggest changes Christian has seen in F1 during his time as Team Principal (4:02)
How Christian compares working with Sebastian Vettel to working with Max Verstappen (11:30)
Where Christian believes the driving force for design comes from in Red Bull Racing (20:31)

Connect with Christian Horner

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Orchestrating the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500 - Part 2

Wed, 29 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Steeped in history and tradition, the first ever Indy 500 race was held in 1911. Since then, the event has celebrated its 100th birthday (in 2011) and hosted 107 race events.

J. Douglas Boles is the President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation and, in this Part 2 interview, he and host Ed Bernardon continue their discussion about the Indy 500 and everything that surrounds it.

Ed and Doug discuss topics like how sustainability is being incorporated into the event, what it was like hosting the US Grand Prix at the Speedway, and the future of the Indy 500. As always, Ed finishes the episode off by asking Doug some rapid fire questions! Tune in for more!

Some Questions Asked

How has technology changed the experience that you have at the Speedway? (4:12)
How do you think the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as a venue, is going to evolve over the next 5 to 10 years? (20:03)
What's your legacy? (22:23)
What was the first car you ever owned? (23:42)

In This Episode You Will Learn

How Douglas balances history and tradition with modernity when organizing the Indy 500 (8:46)
How sustainability is implemented in the Indy 500 (10:56)
How shows like Drive to Survive can be leveraged at the Speedway (18:24)
Whether Douglas has ever gotten a speeding ticket (24:12)

Connect with J. Douglas Boles

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Orchestrating the world’s largest single-day sporting event, the Indy 500 - Part 1

Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Every year, over 300,000 spectators flock to experience the excitement and energy of the event.

For as big as it is, a lot of preparation goes into planning for and organizing an event like this. Every little detail needs to be considered. To tell us all about it in this Part 1 episode is the President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, J. Douglas Boles.

In this episode, host Ed Bernardon and Douglas discuss how Douglas prepares for the event, what he’s most passionate about when it comes to motosports, how he incorporates fan feedback into the event, and so much more!

Some Questions Asked

Let's say that I came to you and said, ‘Hey, I'd like to start an event that's going to have 350,000 people in it’. Can you give me three pieces of advice? (8:20)
How old were you when you went to your first [Indy 500]? (16:31)
You have a degree in journalism, a graduate degree in law, [you’ve worked] in government and campaigns, and then racing. How does that all fit together? (22:08)
What kind of racing did you do? What would you drive? (25:05)

In This Episode You Will Learn

How big the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is (2:44)
Why parking is the main thing that keeps Douglas up at night whilst preparing for the Indy 500 (6:21)
Douglas’ favorite part of race day (13:56)
About Douglas’ 48-hour rule (30:37)
Why Douglas always wears a blue suit (37:32)

Connect with J. Douglas Boles

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Accelerating Autonomy:Inside the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League(A2RL) - Part 2

Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Tom McCarthy is the Executive Director at ASPIRE, an organization focused on developing, or enhancing, new technologies with the goal of building a better future. ASPIRE is behind the creation of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), which hosted its first ever race in April of this year.

In Part 1 of this two-part interview, Tom and host Ed Bernardon talked about (among other things) the inspiration behind A2RL, how the race compares to others of its kind, and who Tom hoped the audience for this race would be.

In Part 2 of this Future Car episode, Ed and Tom discuss the nature of the autonomous car that teams will use to race, the nature of how the teams will compete, what Tom hopes the greatest achievement of A2RL will be, and what he envisions for the future of racing. We also get to know Tom on a more personal level in our rapid fire section where Ed asks him questions like, what was the first car he ever owned? Did he pass his driver’s test on the first try? And what does his living room on wheels look like?

Listen in to hear this and so much more!

Some Questions Asked

What are the steps that get you into that last race, and how long is the race going to be before you're going to declare a winner? (1:25)
Do you see a lot of cooperation between the teams? And how do you balance that cooperation versus winning? (7:42)
How did you actually engineer the eyes and ears of the car? (16:59)
Have you seen any crashes yet? (25:22)

In This Episode You Will Learn

How Tom thinks speeds of the autonomous vehicles will compare with human-driven vehicles (3:46)
What’s unique about A2RL (6:56)
About the car that will be raced during the A2RL (11:42)
How many A2RL races Tom envisions happening every year (29:07)
Who Tom would pick to ride in his ‘living room on wheels’ with (38:16)

Connect with Tom McCarthy

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Accelerating Autonomy:Inside the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League(A2RL) - Part 1

Wed, 08 May 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Autonomous racing is something we’ve seen before in events like the Indy Autonomous Challenge and Roborace, so what makes the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) different from its predecessors?

Here to tell me all about it is the Executive Director at ASPIRE, Tom McCarthy. ASPIRE is the technology transition arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council,specializing in the creation of future transformative technologies,and the organization behind the A2RL.

In Part 1 of this Future Car episode, host Ed Bernardon and Tom discuss topics like the creation of A2RL, the backgrounds and experience of the teams competing, and how cultural differences have shaped the way each team solves problems. Tune in to hear more!

Some Questions Asked

What inspired the creation of the race? (3:38)
Who do you think your biggest audience is going to be when it comes to age and interest (11:05)
Will having an autonomous car race make people more comfortable switching that driver assist back on? (13:33)
What did it take to qualify as a team and be part of this competition? (24:05)

In This Episode You Will Learn

What ASPIRE does and what the organization’s goals are (3:44)
One of the biggest problems Tom has seen over the past few years when it comes to autonomous technology (12:59)
How A2RL compares to Indy Autonomous Challenge and Roborace(16:46)
About the nature of the A2RL race (22:11)

Connect with Tom McCarthy

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Get to Know Rob Gray - Technical Director at Red Bull Advanced Technologies - Rapid Fire

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:10:00 -0000

If you listened to Part 1 and 2 of Ed Bernardon’s interview with Rob Gray, you’ll already have some insight into what Rob does on a day-to-day basis at Red Bull Advanced Technologies. And it’s some pretty exciting stuff! However, for those of you who want to know Rob on a bit more of a personal level, this is the episode for you!

In this Rapid Fire episode, I ask Rob a series of quick questions to get to know him a little bit better. What’s his best speeding ticket story? What does his living room on wheels look like? Listen in to hear the answers to these, and other, burning questions!

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

From Hypercars to Racing Boats to Skateparks in the Sky - Red Bull Advanced Technologies Does It All - Part 2

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Rob Gray is the Technical Director at Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT), the engineering sister business of Red Bull Racing. With over 20 years of experience working in both the design and technical sides of the business, Rob is here to tell us all about the exciting work RBAT is doing and give us some insight into the impact motorsports may have on our future cars.

In this Part 2 Future Car episode, Rob talks to host Ed Bernardon about some other projects RBAT is involved in (listen in to Part 1 to hear Rob discuss the company’s first hypercar project), his experience working in F1, and, of course, sustainability within motorsports.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

From Hypercars to Racing Boats to Skateparks in the Sky - Red Bull Advanced Technologies Does It All - Part 1

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0000

Start your engines because we’re back with our first episode of the year! Today, we’re talking motorsports. More specifically, innovation derived from motorsports. And who better than the Technical Director at Red Bull Advanced Technologies (or RBAT), Rob Gray, to have this conversation with?

In this Part 1 Future Car episode, host Ed Bernardon and Rob discuss his 20+ years of experience at Red Bull, RBAT’s first hypercar project (How will it compare to F1 cars? How will design balance with creativity? What lessons learned are helping with the manufacturing process?), and RBAT’s foray into racing on water! Listen in to hear more…

Some Questions Asked

What is it exactly that RBAT does? (3:16)
How do you compare all those years working in Formula 1 to what you do now? (6:25)
What do you think were some of the biggest technological developments in Formula 1 [during your time at F1]? (9:51)
Did you learn anything about an F1 technology that you brought into an on-track car that you think could make an on-road car? (20:56)
What types of technologies from Formula 1 can you apply to a racing sailboat? (29:10)

In This Episode You Will Learn

How Red Bull Racing influences RBAT (4:57)
What Rob enjoys the most out of everything he does (7:18)
How the performance of RBAT’S new hypercar, the RB17, will compare to an F1 car (17:08)
How the safety of the RB17 is being ensured (19:53)
How RBAT balance design with functionality (24:24)

Connect with Rob Gray

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Navigating sustainability in the automotive industry, part 2

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode of the Future Car Podcast, Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries, and I, Conor Peick, Thought Leadership team writer, continue a series of conversations on autonomous vehicles and how they will shape the future of mobility.

In part 2 of this podcast, Eryn Devola, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Digital Industries Software and Nand Kochhar, continue their compelling conversation on the impact of sustainability on the automotive and transportation industry.

In this episode you’ll learn:

· Why it’s crucial for sustainability to begin in the design phase of a product

· How manufacturers can achieve supply chain transparency to reduce their carbon footprint

· The different technological innovations and processes that are tackling the challenges of battery recycling

Connect with Nand

Connect with Eryn

Navigating sustainability in the automotive industry

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0000

Navigating sustainability in the automotive industry episode 1

As environmental issues continue to become more important to industries and consumers alike, sustainability is a topic that companies can no longer afford to overlook. To discuss what kind of impact sustainability is having on the automotive industry, Nand and I are very excited to be joined by Eryn Devola, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Digital Industries Software.

In this episode you’ll discover:

· The importance of sustainability in the automotive industry and how it’s impacting the strategies and priorities of automotive manufacturers

· How digitalization plays a crucial role in helping automotive companies comply with government regulations and achieve sustainability targets

· The significance of industry partnerships for addressing environmental impacts

Connect with Nand on LinkedIn

Connect with Eryn on LinkedIn

Rapid Fire Episodes: Lucas Di Grassi

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Lucas Di Grassi is considered the most successful Brazilian race car driver this decade. He started his driving career in Formula 1 before transitioning to Formula E where he won one championship and was a runner-up for two others. He is considered one of the best Formula E competitors in the world, holding a record of 32 podiums.

Lucas recently came on the Future Car podcast to discuss his racing career, the Formula E Championship, and sustainability in motorsports. In this special Rapid Fire episode, Ed Bernardon gets to know Lucas on a more personal level, asking him questions like whether he passed his driver’s test on the first try and what career he would have liked to pursue outside of racing. Listen in to hear Lucas’ interesting answers to these, and other, questions.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The Future of Motorsports: What Does it Hold?

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Any die-hard motorsports fan knows that the sport has changed drastically over time. Technology is a major contributor to this, but it’s not the only one. Other aspects like climate change and an evolving fan base are propelling change in the sport and molding it into something many of us never imagined it being.

In this Future Car Expert Episode, Ed Bernardon is looking towards the future and what it will mean for motorsports. How will the sport continue to change and what will be the biggest impacts of this change? Drawing on conversations from motorsports experts and legends Lucas DiGrassi, Bob Bell, Alejandro Agag, and Mario Andretti, Ed hopes to gain some expert perspective on what the sport will look like years down the line.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Embracing Sustainability: The Future of Motorsports

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In recent years, the world of motorsports has made leaps and bounds when it comes to embracing sustainability. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has set its intentions to be a net zero carbon emitter by 2030 and is moving towards this goal through the pursuance of a number of avenues, including fostering sustainable innovative solutions and technology and inspiring sustainable practices within the organization.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon, reflects on his recent conversation with Lucas di Grassi, Formula E champion and sustainability advocate. In particular, three topics centering around sustainability in motorsports emerged from this conversation: the transition of internal combustion engines to electric ones, sustainability technology in commercial vehicles that was inspired through motosports technology, and the future of motorsports. Listen in to hear Lucas’ expert insight into each of these themes and learn a bit more about how sustainability is being integrated into racing and what it’ll mean for the future of the sport.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The New Face of Motorsports with Lucas Di Grassi

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

“Definitely, this will be part of a new world of how motorsport will be seen and done in the future. I don't think all motorsports is going to go this way. But again, sports are changing - fan experience, TV, the way you stream, what people are interested in, what brands are actually looking to sponsor. So all of this is evolving very fast. So definitely I think there is a very big opportunity for Extreme E and Formula E to grow within this new experience”

The face of motorsports is changing. Sustainability initiatives and increasing calls to protect the environment have seen the introduction of electric vehicles into motorsports alongside new championships like Formula E and Extreme E. So what does this mean for the sport’s future and the drivers who compete in motorsports racing?

In this episode, Ed Bernardon interviews Lucas Di Grassi, Formula E champion and former Formula 1 driver. Lucas and Ed discuss what it’s like racing in Formula E, how motorsports have integrated sustainability into the sport, what effects championships like Formula E have had on sustainable technological advancements in the real world, how sustainability and environmentalism are shaping the sport, and so much more!

Some Questions Asked:

What's the driving force behind Lucas Degrassi? (1:46)
What would you say were the top three memorable moments from your career (6:05)
What does [the ESkootr Championship] provide that other racing championships don't provide? (29:34)
What would you say are the biggest contributions that Formula E has made to commercial automotive? (45:55)
What are your thoughts on what the crossover point is, in terms of number of miles, you have to drive an electric vehicle, more or less, when it finally becomes truly an advantage from a sustainability standpoint? (56:45)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What Lucas believes the new face of motorsports is going to be (19:40)
How Lucas believe electric drive is changing the world (33:24)
How Lucas sees regulations around EVs changing with technological advancements (37:41)
What technology Lucas is proud to see transfer from Formula E to the commercial world (51:14)

Connect with Lucas Di Grassi:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The power of simulation to AV design and development: Building reliable ADAS and AV systems part 2

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In part 2 of this episode of the Future Car Podcast, Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries, and I, Conor Peick, Thought Leadership team writer, continue a series of conversations on autonomous vehicles and how they will shape the future of mobility.

In this podcast, Nand and I are joined by Gwen van Vugt, Senior Director of Autonomy at Siemens Digital Industries Software to discuss the importance of building trustworthy and compliant ADAS and AV systems. In part 1, we discussed the role of real-world testing and data collection and touched on the importance of both simulation and real-world testing to validate AV systems. In part 2 we dig a little deeper into the challenges of scaling automotive software and further explore the role of simulations play in testing AV and ADAS systems.

Connect with Nand on LinkedIn

Connect with Gwen on LinkedIn

Rapid Fire Episode: Jane Poynter

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Jane Poynter is the Founder and Co-CEO at Space Perspective, a company that’s developing the world’s only carbon-neutral spaceship to take paying customers and researchers to the stratosphere. Space Perspective’s ethos is “one planet, one mission” and the company hopes, through these trips to space, to affect the way we view and connect to our planet

In this special rapid fire episode, Ed Bernardon gets to know about Jane Poynter outside of Space Perspective. Listen in for answers to burning questions such as, What was the first car she ever owned? What kind of motorbikes has she raced? And how would she describe space travel in the future?

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The power of simulation to AV design and development: Building reliable ADAS and AV systems part 1

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the Future Car Podcast, Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries, and I, Conor Peick, Thought Leadership team writer, continue a series of conversations on autonomous vehicles and how they will shape the future of mobility.

Today, Nand and I are joined by Gwen van Vugt, Senior Director of Autonomy at Siemens Digital Industries Software to discuss the importance of building trustworthy and compliant ADAS and AV systems. While these systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated, they still struggle to cope with certain situations such as extreme weather conditions, construction zones, unexpected obstacles, and unpredictable human behaviors. That’s why ensuring the reliability of these systems will be essential to the success of ADAS and AVs.

In this episode, we cover:

· Challenges in scaling automotive software

· The importance of both simulation and real-world testing to validate AV systems

· Optimizing vehicle design and electronics integration

Connect with Nand on LinkedIn

Connect with Gwen on LinkedIn

Addressing Safety and Privacy in Autonomous Vehicles

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

How comfortable would you be getting into a driverless car? What about a driverless car that you had to share with strangers? If your answer is “not very comfortable”, what would it take to convince you to give autonomous riding a try? Presumably, safety would be at the forefront of your worries but what about privacy? Both are important points to consider for passengers and certainly for autonomous drive manufacturers.

In this Future Car Expert Episode, Ed Bernardon reflects on conversations he’s had with two previous guests on the show, Felix Andeleur and Mark Rosekind. Both men work in the autonomous drive sector and each shared fascinating insights into the work that they’re currently doing with autonomous technology and how they hope to see it develop in the future. They also touched on how they’re addressing issues of privacy and safety in these vehicles and how, in doing so, they hope to make them palatable for future potential passengers. Take a listen to find out more!

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The Changing Face of Mobility and Our Future in Space

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to go to space? Perhaps you’ve had dreams of touring the galaxy before looping back to Earth. Or maybe you’ve thought about leaving Earth for good to live on another planet. These thoughts and dreams, although they’ve surely existed for hundreds of years, are now closer to reality than most of us may think.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon, inspired by his conversation with Jane Poynter, mulls over the rapidly changing face of mobility. Jane, of course, is the CEO of Space Perspective, a company offering rides to Earth’s stratosphere in their custom-made spaceship for paying customers and scientists/researchers. Pulling from key parts of his initial interview with Jane, Ed discusses topics like the overview effect, life on Mars, and how the ability for every-day folk to purchase a ticket to space will end up changing the commercial travel industry.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Space Tourism and the Overview Effect with Jane Poynter

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0000

“As a business, I don't think it's our job to tell people what to think. What I do think is our job is to give them the experience that allows them to open up to this extraordinary transformation that astronauts talk about”

If given the chance to go to space, would you take it? Most of us share a curiosity of the unknown when it comes to our universe and the wonders that lie outside of planet Earth. For a long time, the idea of space tourism seemed unrealistic and something only available to highly-trained individuals like astronauts. That is, until now…

In this episode, Ed Bernardon interviews Jane Poynter, co-founder and co-CEO of Space Perspective, a company whose aim it is to bring regular individuals to the edge of space, using cutting-edge technology and a spaceship that’s very different from what we imagine when we think of space travel.

In today’s episode, Jane tells us about Space Perspective, the inspiration behind it, and the company’s overall goal. She also provides some interesting details about their spaceship, Space Neptune, and what people can expect to experience when they take a trip in it.

Some Questions Asked:

What is the key thing that space perspective hopes to be the first of? (1:28)
What's the size of the capsule? (17:03)
How do you see this as a new opportunity for scientists? (21:16)
What are your thoughts on these different approaches people are taking to open up space travel to the masses? (27:32)
What happens if something does go wrong? (41:10)
When do you think we'll have that first biosphere on Mars? (52:54)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The number of people who have been to space (1:56)
What a trip on Space Perspective’s spaceship, Space Neptune, will be like (14:55)
Why Space Perspective has decided to use hydrogen for its balloon (37:24)
About the Red Bull space jump that Jane was involved with (43:42)

Connect with Jane Poynter/Space Perspective:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Rapid Fire Episode: Alain Visser

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Alain Visser is the CEO of Lynk & Co International - a company looking to redefine mobility as well as the way that we own and make use of our vehicles - and he is also the special guest featured in this Future Car Rapid Fire episode.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon gets to know the Alain Visser behind the revolutionary ideas. As he does with all his guests, Ed asks Alain a series of questions in quick succession that have less to do with his business, and more to do with his personal life. Did Alain pass his driver’s test on the first try? What would he invent, or uninvent, if he could? Listen in to find out the answers to these, and a whole lot of other, questions, and get to know Alain on a more intimate level!

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Join a club: the car buying alternative

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

When was the last time you made a really big purchase? Do you remember what kind of thought, if any, went into it? Before spending a lot of money on something, most of us will take some time to reflect beforehand. Why are we making this purchase? Is it worth the money? How will what we’re buying serve us today and in the future? These are all very normal questions to ask yourself. This logic is, of course, applied when purchasing vehicles. Everyone who needs a car, needs it for their own individual reasons. The purpose that the vehicles serve varies from individual to individual, so even if we all buy the same car, we’re all buying something a little bit different.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon asks the question, “what are we buying” when it comes to our vehicles. To answer this, he’s looking back on conversations with three different guest experts who all shared their insight on shifting trends in mobility and what people are really interested in when it comes to vehicles and getting around. Listen in to hear from Alain Visser (1:24), Henrik Fisker (11:28), and Toby Russell (19:02).

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Future Car Expert Episode: Mobility in the Future City

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In most of our lifetimes, we’ve seen an evolution in mobility that’s been influenced by factors like technological innovation and climate change. We’ve witnessed the rise of electrification, autonomation, and ride sharing, and it feels like this is only the beginning of a massive shift in how we navigate and get around. So what will mobility look like 10-, 20-, or 40-years into the future? How will technology evolve when it comes to mobility and what other subsequent changes will we see in our cities as a result?

In this Future Car Expert Episode, Ed Bernardon looks back on interviews he’s had with a range of experts about how they envision mobility to look like in cities of the future. From underground roadworks to pedestrian-prioritized infrastructure, their ideas are fascinating and extrapolated from trends that we’re seeing in mobility and society today.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Changing the Face of Mobility with Alain Visser

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

“So we see a sharing community starting, but also a community, an organization, a society where people want to have experiences. So we said, yeah, we have a cool car, let's just not sell it. Let's use the car to offer an experience that is shareable rather than just sell the thing.”

It’s no secret that mobility is changing. Calls for a greater focus on sustainability in transport have never been higher and car manufacturers have no option but to level-up and meet these demands.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon interviews Alain Visser, CEO of Lynk & Co, a mobility company focused, and built around, the evolution of customer needs when it comes to transport. Lynk & Co. offer subscription, buying, and borrowing options for their vehicles, challenging car industry conventions and creating a system that’s easy-to-use, profitable, and entirely connected.

In today’s episode, Ed speaks to Alain about the idea behind Lynk & Co and what, as CEO, he envisions for the company as it continues to grow. They also talk about the company’s vehicle model, discussing all its amazing and unique features, as well as Lynk & Co’s focus on sustainability, and a whole lot more!

Some Questions Asked:

What would you say is the driving force that made you think about providing mobility in a different way? (3:08)
So the idea is, I could have the car available for car sharing. How does that work? (12:33)
How's it different? Older versus younger? North America, Europe, Asia? What differences do you see in willingness to share? (25:33)
How does what they would do with the extra parking space change based on country or age? (28:41)
Will you have to make the roads bigger, because there's more cars on the road? (31:53)
From an engineering standpoint, when you're setting out your specifications for the vehicle, how does [it] change when you're aiming for a mobility product versus a car product? (35:35)
How does the government in different countries and regulations impact your global plans for expansion? (50:40)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

About the idea and inspiration behind Lynk & Co (1:49)
About the options available to customers of Lynk & Co (8:44)
Why Lynk & Co have chosen to take a different route than traditional car manufacturers (22:41)
About the “fun stuff” included in Lynk & Co’s car model, ‘The 01’ (33:20)
How Lynk & Co are incorporating sustainability into the manufacturing of their vehicle (37:39)
About the amazing Lynk & Co Club (1:01:02)
About Alain’s vision for the future of vehicles and mobility (1:03:34)

Connect with Alain Visser/Lynk & Co.:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Rapid Fire Episode: Cartier Brown

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Cartier Brown is the co-founder and CEO of Avicar, a company that specializes in remote reality technology and, specifically, how it can be applied in motorsports. Avicar’s technology will allow users to drive on a racetrack from miles away, enabling them to compete with other remotely-located drivers.

In this special rapid fire episode, Ed Bernardon steers away from remote reality to get to know Cartier on a more personal level. Listen in to hear about Cartier’s best speeding ticket story, who he’d like to spend a 5-hour car journey with, and other interesting tidbits about the Avicar CEO.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The power of simulation to AV design and development

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

As the automotive industry moves into the future, automotive companies are faced with the challenge of designing increasingly complex vehicles to satisfy consumer demands for greater automation, convenience, and connectivity. AVs are only expected to exacerbate this trend of growing vehicle complexity. AVs will require state-of-the-art components from multiple domains including software, semiconductor chips, sensors, and electrical wiring. As these systems grow in complexity, they also must become increasingly integrated, driving even more growth in vehicle complexity.

This complexity becomes particularly challenging as the lifecycle moves into the verification and validation phase. Indeed, many estimates predict that AV platforms will need to complete the equivalent of billions of miles of testing to demonstrate their safety and reliability. Such a volume of testing is required to investigate non-routine traffic situations that are difficult to encompass when developing the self-driving system.

Completing such a rigorous testing program with real-world prototypes alone would be impossible. This is where modern digital simulation and testing solutions can change how vehicles are developed to overcome the challenges of the future. To dive into the topic of vehicle simulation and testing, Nand and I are joined by Robbert Lohmann, Business Development Director of AV’s at Siemens Digital Industries Software. We talk about the growth in virtual methods of vehicle testing and verification, how driving scenarios are generated for simulations, the role industry standards may play, and how the digital twin facilitates the future of automotive development.

Connect with Nand on LinkedIn

Connect with Conor on LinkedIn

Future Car Expert Episode: Past Life Professions

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

As a child, what future expectations and dreams did you hold for yourself and your career? Were they realistic? Did they align with your interests and values? How close did you come to meeting these expectations as an adult and what deviations from the path you originally set for yourself were made along the way?

In this Future Car Expert Episode, Ed Bernardon looks back on interviews he’s had with guests whose current careers and occupations differ drastically from what they initially set out to do. These professional pivots include from the music business to the world of remote reality, from a mathematician to the CEO of Siemens USA, and a couple more other very interesting shifts. Listen in to hear what it was that inspired these career changes and what these guests were able to bring across from their previous careers into their new ones.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Remote, Augmented and Virtual Reality: Like F1 Racing, but in the Next Dimension

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Given the level of innovation in technology today, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. You may recognize the names of certain types of technology but grasping their applications can be harder, and this is only compounded when you start to confuse them with other emerging technologies.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon compares three seemingly similar, but actually drastically different, technologies: virtual reality (1:04), augmented reality (1:50), and remote reality (2:58). Listen in to learn more about these three technologies, why they’re important, and what makes them different from one another.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Bringing Remote Reality to Motorsports Racing with Cartier Brown

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

“We are truly trying to push the needle on what can be done in motorsports. And also we are truly bringing something different when it comes to sports content, and sports programming. I don't know what to tell you, man. I'm just excited.”

Between EVs, AVs, and flying cars, it seems as though we’ve seen everything that automotive technology has to offer. But that may not be the case. Remote reality racing uses microsecond real-time reactivity and tactile response that feels as close to being in the driver’s seat, without actually being in it.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon interviews Cartier Brown, co-founder of Avicar, a company that, for the first time, is using remote reality technology in sports cars with the aim of racing them from thousands of miles away. Avicar technology is groundbreaking and the company believes it has the power to disrupt how real world sports are played forever.

In today’s episode, Cartier Brown breaks down Avicar’s remote reality technology and describes how the company is using it to build their sports car and smart track. Ed and Cartier also talk vehicle design, safety, and speed, and a whole lot more.

Some Questions Asked:

Are you saying that the average person or spectator will be able to somehow remotely jump into the driver's seat? (7:24)
Without that human element of risk, why do you think people are going to want to watch this? (10:26)
What would be some of the crazy things that you think you might see in one of these races? (11:41)
How fast does it go? (14:35)
What do you think are the big technical engineering hurdles that you're facing as you try and make this remote reality racing reality? (23:16)
What exactly is the digital twin, and how's it going to help you design this? (32:26)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What remote reality is and how Avicar is leveraging it (2:22)
What Avicar means by “it is real because it feels real” (3:05)
About the driver experience for Avicar vehicles (15:45)
About Avicar’s ‘angel key’ (16:53)
How Avicar plans to replicate the ‘feel’ of driving a race car (30:01)
The demographic of drivers Avicar are looking to recruit (36:27)
About Cartier’s work in the music and movie business (39:24)
What the scouting process for Avicar drivers will look like (46:50)

Connect with Cartier Brown/Avicar:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Rapid Fire Episode: Mario Andretti

Wed, 31 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

An Italian immigrant who moved to the United States as a young boy and quickly made a name for himself in driving, Mario Andretti is one of the greatest race car drivers ever to exist. His 50-year-long career included wins in Formula 1, Daytona 500, and Indy 500 with a total of 111 wins under his belt.

In this special rapid fire episode, Ed Bernardon dives into who Andretti is off of the racetrack, asking him a series of short, personal questions. What’s his biggest talent other than racing? What was the first car he fell in love with? Listen in to find out!

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Future Car Expert Episode: Motorsports: Driving for Sustainability

Wed, 24 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

It’s quite rare for an issue to exist in this world that affects everyone on the planet and, if not solved, puts the entire human race at risk. One such issue is climate change. With temperatures increasing, sea levels rising, and weather events becoming more extreme, it’s clear that this is a problem that needs attention across industries, in addition to across the world. This has become a major talking point in motorsports. Environmentally-friendly technology is being used more and more in the sport and innovation is increasingly focused around sustainability.

In this Future Car Expert Episode, Ed Bernardon reflects on previous guests he’s had on the show, all connected to the world of motorsports in some way, and their take on sustainability within the sport. Listen in to hear Mario Andretti, Bob Bell, Alejandro Agag, and Catie Munnings talk about what they’ve seen sustainability-wise in motorsports and their opinion on the overall environmental push.

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Eddie’s Fast Five #1: The Influence of Motorsports on Automotive Tech and Society

Wed, 17 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Motorsports serve as a testing ground for pushing the boundaries of innovation, where technologies are refined under extreme conditions and then applied to everyday vehicles. The impact goes beyond technology, with motorsports significantly promoting sustainability and raising awareness about climate change through championships like Formula E and Extreme E.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon shares five incredible examples of the impact motorsports has had on our world. You will hear how the rearview mirror (2:29) and disc brakes (3:13) became integral parts of an automobile, Alejandro Agag's view on the role of electric motorsports in promoting sustainability (3:41), and you'll find out from motorsport racing icon, Mario Andretti, what were the greatest contributions made by motorsports to the automotive industry (7:37).

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Life Lessons from Mario Andretti

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

“If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough”

As a race car driver, you have to maintain a balance at the edge of what your car is capable of doing. You must remain fully focused when approaching corners at 240 MPH.

It's pushing and respecting the limit simultaneously, knowing that it's not only the victory that’s on the line; it’s also your life. While the technology and safety guidelines have improved drastically over the years, racing still remains a limit-pushing, adrenaline-fueled sport.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon interviews Mario Andretti, one of the greatest race car drivers in history. He is the only driver to have won the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500, and a Formula One championship. Mario was knighted in his native Italy, and GQ Magazine named him one of the 25 Coolest Athletes of all time. Today, he’ll share with us what it takes to be a successful race car driver. He’ll also help us understand the contributions that racing has made to the automotive industry.

Some Questions I Ask:

Do you think the addition of technology has made the driver’s skills less important? (01:07)
Did racing in different categories make you a better driver? (06:09)
What do you think have been the greatest contributions that racing has made to the automotive industry? (18:01)
How do you feel sitting in the car waiting for the green flag to drop? (25:27)
How important do you think it is for racing to embrace sustainability? (35:27)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The importance of getting the best out of the available car (04:11)
What inspired Mario to become a race car driver (09:20)
The difference between IndyCar and Formula One (12:13)
Why being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame was very important to Mario (15:34)
Mario's experience racing against his son (31:12)

Connect with Mario Andretti:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Clearing the Hurdles of AV Design

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:23:00 -0000

A widespread transformation is taking place in the automotive and transportation industries. Changes in technology, societal pressures, and regulations are all pushing vehicles to become more sustainable, safe, accessible, and smart.

This is driving a change in the nature of vehicles and how they are engaged by the user. In response to these trends and pressures, automakers are doubling down on electrification and continuing to invest in developing automated driving features and autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous vehicle development will only become more important in the marketplace as the competition to produce new and advanced vehicle features continues to mount. Today, automakers must focus on developing advanced features and functions to stand out in a competitive landscape.

As the emphasis on advanced vehicle features continues to grow, so does the design challenge for the engineers. So, how do companies address increasing complexity in vehicle design, and how do the specific needs of autonomous vehicles affect the process?

We chat with Mark Sampson, MBSE Product Manager at Siemens Digital Industries Software, to better understand how digitalized design methodologies and a systems-engineering approach can help companies manage and overcome the complexities of designing and testing, and validating advanced vehicle technologies.

Future Car Podcast with Ed Bernardon - Best of 2022

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Past years have seen technology developing at an accelerated rate and the year 2022 was no different. The stuff of movies and science fiction is quickly becoming a reality, like flying cars, robots, and autonomous vehicles, just to name a few; all of which we covered on the Future Car podcast last year.

To commemorate 2022, we created a special episode dedicated to last year's best Future Car bits.

Today, you'll hear from three of our most listened-to guests of 2022, from whom you've learned about the future of technology and what they’re currently doing to make it a reality: Siemens’ CEO Barbara Humpton, Chief Strategy Officer at Boston Dynamics, Marc Theermann, and NEVS’ VP of Mobility Solutions Felix Andlauer.

Be sure to listen until the very end of the episode to hear exciting news about Future Car’s first 2023 guest.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The three fundamental problems autonomous vehicles should solve (02:42)
Privacy within autonomous ridesharing (05:24)
The importance of using a user-centric holistic approach to designing NEVS' autonomous vehicles (09:10)
Why we should care about the Internet of Things (12:31)
What Siemens is doing to help with the infrastructure (13:45)
Why children should play video games (20:48)
How will robots enrich our lives (23:41)
The different perceptions about robots (29:19)
The current market demand for robots (31:32)

Connect with Felix Andlauer:

Connect with Barbara Humpton:

Connect with Marc Theermann:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

The importance of electronics devices to autonomous vehicles

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 15:00:00 -0000

Today on the Future Car Podcast, Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries, and Conor Peick, Thought Leadership Team Writer, continue a series of conversations on autonomous vehicles and how they will shape the future of mobility. While many details about AVs are uncertain at this time, it’s clear that they will require a significant amount of extremely advanced electronics hardware to operate.

Specific numbers may range, but many experts expect an autonomous vehicle will require around 30 advanced sensors and immense processing capabilities to safely navigate a complex and dynamic driving environment. So how do companies account for such a huge increase in complexity, power, and data in a vehicle network? And what implications do the requirements of an AV have on the design and development of these sensor and processing devices?

To help dive into the world of sensors, processors, and all things electronics, Nand and Conor are joined by Alan Porter, Vice President of the Electronics and Semiconductors Industry at Siemens Digital Industries Software.

What you will learn about in this episode:
How electronics devices have become a critical piece of modern vehicles, and why this growth has occurred
The design challenges of integrating multiple sensors, processors, and other devices into a modern vehicle platform
Why automakers are moving into the semiconductor design and manufacturing space, and how the demands of an automotive application impact chip design
The progress of sensing technology, such as LIDAR and camera devices
Why collaboration will be crucial to vehicle design teams and how digitalization can support companies as they develop the vehicles of tomorrow

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Dr. Puneet Sinha:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Powering the AV: Vehicle electrification and batteries

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 15:00:00 -0000

In the automotive industry, a majority of sustainable development efforts have focused on vehicle electrification as a practical solution for replacing internal combustion engines and fossil fuels to reduce emissions coming from the transportation sector. Today, EVs seem to grow in popularity and capability almost monthly, especially as exciting new models are brought to market. With the future of the automotive industry looking increasingly electric, Nand, VP of Automotive & Transportation industry, and I wanted to talk with an EV expert about EVs, battery technology, future development efforts, and how this trend will play into the autonomous vehicle revolution.

In this episode of the Future Car Podcast, we welcome Dr. Puneet Sinha to the show! Puneet is the Sr. Director of Battery Industry Vertical for Siemens Digital Industries Software. In addition, Puneet holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering and brings 15 years of industry experience in the field of batteries, fuel cells and electric vehicles. As always, I am joined by my co-host Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries at Siemens Digital Industries Software.

What you will learn in this episode:

· How EV technologies have matured in the last few years, and how the business environment has evolved to support these changes

· How EV development contributes to the pursuit of autonomous vehicles

· Challenges involved in the design of a new all-electric vehicle

· How companies can balance the power demands for an EV with all the modern features consumers demand today

· How digitalization can support companies as they develop the vehicles of tomorrow

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Dr. Puneet Sinha:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bringing Sustainability and Privacy to Autonomous Ride-Sharing with Felix Andlauer - Part 2

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:00:00 -0000

In the past, designing a vehicle required addressing issues such as speed, handling, safety, and efficiency, among others.

While this is complicated, it is much easier compared to what it’ll take to build autonomous vehicles.

Not only do you have to take care of all the vehicle design challenges, but you also have to design its ecosystem. You must consider how it will connect with the infrastructure, its users, and the controller. Effectively combining all of these needs requires the collaboration of engineers from different disciplines.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Felix Andlauer, VP of Mobility Solutions at NEVS – a Swedish electric and autonomous vehicle (AV) manufacturer founded in 2012 with the vision of shaping mobility for a sustainable future. He’ll help us understand what it’ll take to adopt AVs fully.

Some Questions I Ask:

How far away do you think we are from having an autonomous vehicle? (01:43)
What have you done to the vehicle to protect the passenger? (07:25)
Do you think there will be a standard language for AVs? (20:13)
Why do you have a remote driver system? (21:39)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How a NEVS car safety design differs from other AVs (04:55)
How NEVS handles the range problem (08:22)
What it’ll take to create a smart mobility ecosystem (15:42)
How to make engineers work together (25:17)

Connect with Felix Andlauer:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bringing Sustainability and Privacy to Autonomous Ride-Sharing with Felix Andlauer - Part 1

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

One of the biggest barriers to ride-sharing is the loss of privacy.

Most people prefer to ride in a car in silence without feeling like they are being rude. This is one of the biggest benefits of owning a personal car.

However, the congestion brought about by people's love for personal cars is simply not sustainable. That’s because it significantly increases carbon emissions and degrades the rider’s experience.

Solving this problem would require an affordable electric mobility service that supports ride-sharing and still offers privacy whenever it’s needed. That is exactly what one company is seeking to achieve.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Felix Andlauer, VP of Mobility Solutions at NEVS – a Swedish electric and autonomous vehicle (AV) manufacturer founded in 2012 with the vision of shaping mobility for a sustainable future. He’ll help us understand the goals of AVs and what it will take to make them sustainable.

Some Questions I Ask:

What problem should autonomous cars be solving? (05:23)
How do you create a sense of privacy in ride-sharing? (09:47)
Is the need for privacy the same in all markets around the world? (14:39)
What policies do you think should be put in place to take advantage of AVs? (16:50)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How NEVS addresses the congestion, land use, and electrification issues (06:20)
How a NEVS car differs from other AVs (20:06)
What NEVS learned from a workshop with differently-abled people (24:06)
The different components contained in NEVS AV (26:54)

Connect with Felix Andlauer:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-Visiting: Anatomy of the new Formula One Race Car with Bob Bell- Part 2

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Formula One is evolving to remain relevant and interesting in the 21st century.

A unique age where if it isn’t green enough, it can get ‘canceled’, and if it doesn’t trend on social media, it doesn’t matter!

This evolution involves making decisions affecting how the engine is designed as well as transforming the sport’s interaction with the fans. F1, like any other successful business, is implementing these changes one step at a time and learning as it goes.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Bob Bell, Strategic Advisor to BWT Alpine F1 team. He’s been in Formula One racing for 36 years and has won several championships with different teams. Today, he’ll walk us through the changes that he expects the sport to make in the next decade.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Changes in the engine that we can expect in the near future (01:51)
The differences between Formula One and Formula E (03:27)
The impact of increased focus on social media and off-the-track stories (06:30)
The importance of a Drag Reduction System (DRS) (07:34)

Connect with Bob:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Digital Transformation of the Car Development Process with Dr. Siegmar Haasis - Part 2

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

What does it really take to make a car?

Most people think it just takes a bunch of robots and a few people putting the components together. They aren’t wrong. However, that is just the final stage, the assembly line.

Before a car gets to the assembly line, it takes engineering teams in different parts of the world years to create a viable design. This means designing and testing 100s of 1000s of components before creating and testing the complete digital version of the car.

Leading such a process involves managing intercultural differences, choosing the right tools, and keeping your team focused.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Dr. Siegmar Haasis, founder and CEO of HaasisDEC, a digital engineering consulting company. Before starting his company, he was the CIO of R&D at Mercedes-Benz for eight years. He’ll help us understand what it takes to design and build a car.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Examples of intercultural conflicts faced when working with international teams (02:54)
How to change a teams culture (04:15)
What Dr. Siegmar did to deal with increased complexity in vehicle design (08:25)
What to consider when adopting new software (15:35)
Dr. Siegmar’s views on autonomous cars (18:21)

Connect with Dr. Siegmar Haasis:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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The Complexities of Modern Automotive Software

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0000

Software is now a critical component of nearly every modern vehicle. Consumers demand more high-tech features to be incorporated into their cars; therefore, software content has grown. This transition towards a software-defined vehicle is also causing rapid growth in vehicle complexity. To keep up with legacy automotive original equipment, manufacturers and suppliers must deliver innovative software-driven vehicle features while integrating these features into a vehicle's mechanical, electrical and electronic systems.

In this episode of the Future Car Podcast Series, Conor Peick interviews Piyush Karkare, Global Director of Automotive Industry Solutions at Siemens Digital Industries Software, and Nand Kochhar, Vice President, Automotive and Transportation Industry at Siemens Digital Industries Software, regarding the complexities of automotive software development today and in the future, mainly as we come closer to the reality of autonomous vehicles.

What you will learn in this episode:

How past and current trends affect automotive software development
Challenges to the growth of vehicle software content in the automotive development life cycle.
Key features customers want that would be impossible without software.
How autonomous vehicles extrapolate the complexity to make machines do what humans can do.
Compliance with software for critical safety systems that meet strict regulatory requirements for functional, safety and cybersecurity

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Piyush Karkare:

Connect with Conor Peick:

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Digital Transformation of the Car Development Process with Dr. Siegmar Haasis - Part 1

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

We no longer expect cars to just move us from point A to point B.

We also expect them to entertain us, connect to our devices, update themselves, and sometimes self-park. All this while still minimizing their carbon footprint.

As our needs increased, manufacturers were forced to change how they designed their cars. Their list of concerns grew from mechanical components to also include software, electronics, and environmental impact.

Thanks to digital transformation, manufacturers have been able to build cars that address all these concerns at an affordable price.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Dr. Siegmar Haasis, founder and CEO of HaasisDEC, a digital engineering consulting company. Before starting his company, he was the CIO of R&D at Mercedes-Benz for 8 years. He’ll help us understand the current trends in vehicle design and development.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the most important market trends reshaping the auto industry's future? (04:15)
How do you make people with different mindsets work together? (11:04)
How do you figure out what customers need in their cars? (15:29)
What is a digital twin? (19:33)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The improvements that have been made in new cars (07:12)
The biggest challenge in designing new cars (08:34)
How to eliminate function silos in vehicle development (14:19)
The benefits of using a digital twin in car development (23:30)

Connect with Dr. Siegmar Haasis:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Democratizing Air Mobility with Jon Rimanelli - Part 2

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 10:00:29 -0000

How do you avoid a traffic jam in the air?

While this seems like a ridiculous question, it's one of the main problems urban air vehicle developers have to solve. That’s because while having a traffic jam on the road can be unbearable, it's harmless, but a traffic jam in the air can be fatal.

For urban air taxis to become a reality, they must turn their new flashy and near-fictional idea into something tangible and executable. This will involve working with governments to establish clear and reliable operating standards. If done properly, it will make convincing the public to adopt the new transportation mode easier.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Jon Rimanelli, founder and CEO of Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX), a company developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to transform mobility between cities, suburbs, and airports. He will share with us how urban air vehicles will work and the capabilities of the Sigma 6 aircraft.

Some Questions I Ask:

Do you think there will be hesitancy to use urban air vehicles? (10:00)
When do you think your model aircraft will be ready to fly for several miles? (13:19)
What will be the range and cargo capacity of your aircraft? (14:13)
Do you think pod-type air vehicles will become commonplace? (15:58)
What do you think we’ll see in air mobility in 30 years? (22:18)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The traffic challenge of air taxis and how it can be solved (02:09)
How urban air vehicles will be able to achieve safe separation (06:15)
What he learned along the way when building the Sigma 6 aircraft (11:03)
Why low noise was a priority when developing Sigma 6 aircraft (19:03)
Sigma 6’s manufacturability attribute (20:41)

Connect with Jon Rimanelli:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Democratizing Air Mobility with Jon Rimanelli - Part 1

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 09:00:28 -0000

When cities ran out of space, people built skyscrapers. This allowed them to take advantage of the space that was already there, waiting to be utilized.

Now, as traffic in cities becomes slower and slower due to congestion, there is a need to rethink transportation in such places. After all, why waste the only resource we can’t create more of, time, sitting in traffic?

Air taxis are seeking to do exactly what people did with skyscrapers, move part of the traffic into the air. While this endeavor is still in the early planning and development phases, the problem it seeks to solve cannot be ignored.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Jon Rimanelli, founder and CEO of Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX), a company developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to transform mobility between cities, suburbs, and airports. He will share with us how their Sigma 6 aircraft will work and their progress so far.

Some Questions I Ask:

Why do we need air taxis? (05:07)
How is your eVTOL aircraft different from other air taxis? (09:57)
Can a Sigma 6 aircraft land on a building? (15:54)
What do you mean by democratizing air mobility for the masses? (21:14)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The reason why helicopters are not a common means of transport in cities (06:23)
The difference between Sigma 6 aircraft and helicopters in terms of cost (07:17)
The importance of a swappable payload system (11:14)
Why the eVTOL aircrafts will be easier to fly (23:55)

Connect with Jon Rimanelli:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Uncovering Human-Centered Design with Harry West - Part 2

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

How far are you from your customers?

The farther you are from them, the more difficult it will be for you to create a functional design.

The closer you get to your customer, the higher the chances of creating a great design. It allows you to understand what they care about and minimize the possibility of unintentional exclusion.

Many great inventions have come from listening to and observing people interact with products. Many capital-intensive products have failed because they failed to understand how their customers use those products.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Harry West, Professor of Practice at Columbia University and Principal at Invisible Design. He is the creator of the curriculum on Human-Centered Design and Design Justice. He’ll share how getting closer to the consumer helps design better products.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How they solved the women empowerment program challenge in Pakistan (05:22)
The purpose of the Design for Justice program (14:53)
Examples of designs that neglected a large group of the population (18:36)
How he approaches teaching Design Justice (21:21)
How to create better designs (27:20)
The future role of AI in design (29:25)

Connect with Harry West:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Uncovering Human-Centered Design with Harry West - Part 1

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:00:52 -0000

In a beginner's mind, there are endless possibilities - in an expert’s mind, there are few.

To create a great design, you have to keep an open mind. You must be fearless and approach the process from a user’s experience, not from the creator’s experience.

Some of the greatest innovations came from a genuine desire to solve the problems of the target users. They came from people who genuinely sought to understand what those people cared about and designed their products with that in mind.

That’s why ignoring design while innovating is ignoring the intended user.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Harry West, Professor of Practice at Columbia University and Principal at Invisible Design. He is the creator of the curriculum on Human-Centered Design and Design Justice. He’ll share with us the importance of human-centered design when innovating.

Some Questions I Ask:

What is design? (02:39)
What does it mean to be open during a design process? (07:38)
Where did the idea of Swiffer come from? (14:06)
How often do you rely on something that’s already invented while innovating? (26:20)
How does communication influence innovation? (28:15)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The meaning of human-centered design and the steps involved (04:57)
The purpose of human-centered design (11:05)
How to create a design that will still be desirable to a customer in the future (12:54)
How a Swiffer works (21:23)
The benefits of keeping an open mind when innovating (30:24)

Connect with Harry West:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Re-Visiting: Zoox's Journey to Safety with Mark R. Rosekind - Part 1

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Back by popular demand, this is a throwback to one of our most loved episodes. Enjoy!

With autonomous vehicles, the goal is to get to a point when they can give us a “boring” or uneventful ride.

And you may be thinking, “Well, that’s not exciting at all!”

But, it’s safe and trustworthy enough for you as a rider to shift your focus from the fact that there is no driver. After all, it’s only after you feel safe that you can fully relax and enjoy the ride as well as all the amenities that come with the vehicle.

AV companies are tackling this challenge head-on by borrowing safety approaches from the aviation industry as well as innovating new strategies.

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Mark R. Rosekind, Chief Safety Innovation Officer at Zoox, Inc. He’ll help understand the challenges of building an autonomous electric vehicle and the progress they’ve made so far. He’ll also share with us the steps that the automotive industry can take to increase people’s safety on the road.

Some Questions I Ask:

What do you consider while designing your vehicle? (10:03)
How do you create “a journey to enjoy”? (11:07)
How do you know that you’re safe enough? (20:01)
What does “a safe system approach” mean? (22:25)
Are you doing anything special to enhance communication with first responders in case of an accident? (29:37)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The history of Zoox (02:30)
The difference between proactive and reactive safety (13:29)
The difference between how the aviation and automotive industries approach safety (15:45)
How the Zoox vehicle will communicate with people around it (23:26)
What it takes to gain people’s trust (33:00)

Connect with Mark R. Rosekind:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Robots - Enhancing Our Security - Part 2

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 09:00:50 -0000

Some robots, such as surgical robots, do precision work in ways a human being can’t. Others can do tedious, repetitive tasks fast and consistently, freeing people to do more productive work. And now we have patrol robots to keep us safe.

They patrol a specified area and raise the alarm whenever they spot something suspicious. The biggest strength of such robots is that they can collect, store and analyze a lot of data as they patrol. A question that probably comes to mind when one hears of this is, does that make them better than security guards?

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews William Santana Li, Chairman and CEO of Knightscope – an advanced security technology company that makes fully autonomous security robots built to deter, detect and report. He’ll help us understand how their robots work and the impact they are making.

Some Questions I Ask:

Does being the son of immigrants influence you in any way? (05:51)
How did you go from working at Ford to building Knightscope? (09:00)
How will the K7 robot be different from the robots you already have? (21:04)
Do you think those police departments will ever hire your robots? (23:36)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The events and circumstances that inspired the creation of Knightscope (01:39)
The different types of sensors that Knightscope’s robots have (11:19)
What the company does to deter malicious damage to their robots (13:37)
The different flavors of data that their robot generates (15:52)

Connect with William Santana Li:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Robots - Enhancing Our Security - Part 1

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 09:00:51 -0000

Safety and security!

Every stable government should do everything within its power to guarantee its citizens these two things. One of the ways of improving security is by equipping security personnel with the right tools.

In today’s data-driven world, this means solutions that can process more data in the environment they’re deployed in better than a person would. Such a solution would enhance the capability of police officers and other security personnel. This is exactly what Knightscope robots are designed to do.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews William Santana Li, Chairman, and CEO of Knightscope – an advanced security technology company that makes fully autonomous security robots built to deter, detect and report. He’ll help us understand more about their robots and the progress they’ve made so far.

Some Questions I Ask:

What needs to change for the US to become the safest country in the world? (02:27)
How can you help achieve the security standards people expect? (08:10)
How does the data collection system work? (17:02)
What were some of the most surprising things that happened in the robot’s interaction with people that you didn't expect? (20:32)
Will your robots, at some point in the future, carry weapons? (25:45)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The extent of the shortage of police officers in the US (04:05)
Knightscope’s robots capabilities (06:55)
The price of Knightscope’s autonomous security robot services (14:40)
How Knightscope’s robots communicate with people (19:36)
The factors they took into consideration when designing their robots (27:20)

Connect with William Santana Li:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Technology with Purpose - Barbara Humpton - Part 2

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 09:00:59 -0000

“Competition makes us faster, collaboration makes us better.”

For a company as big and diversified as Siemens, collaboration opens up a door to creating life-changing products. It allows the company to be at the forefront in tackling global issues such as climate change and degenerative diseases. It also allows the company to play a critical role in supporting the development of smart factories, eco-friendly planes, and autonomous vehicles.

To continue elevating collaboration, Siemens has created an environment that nurtures the sharing of ideas and the spirit of innovation.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA. She’ll share with us how most organization charts limit collaboration and what can be done to increase collaboration in big companies. She’ll also share some advice on how to achieve a work-life blend.

Some Questions I Ask:

How do you encourage collaboration in a big company? (05:46)
How does your passion for math help you be a better corporate executive? (13:01)
How did you navigate the engineering space at a time when there wasn’t a lot of diversity? (15:19)
What will our infrastructure be like 5 -10 years from now? (24:00)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why all organization charts are wrong (00:50)
Why Barbara joined the technology industry (10:00)
Her advice on work-life blend (21:12)
Why does the US not have a high-speed train yet (28:16)

Connect with Barbara Humpton:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Technology with Purpose - Barbara Humpton - Part 1

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0000

“The value of innovation lies in its practical implementation.”

Over the last 174 years of its existence, Siemens has implemented some of the world’s most impactful innovations. Today, the company is a global leader in combining the real and the digital worlds to create value for its customers.

Its ideal placement as a leader in software and hardware has helped it expand its sphere of influence tremendously. To maximize the impact of its innovative products, Siemens has been engaging stakeholders in decision-making positions and other industry leaders.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA. She’ll share with us some of the milestones that the company has achieved as well as some future goals. She’ll also share about her recent meeting with President Biden and the major announcement that was made during that meeting.

Some Questions I Ask:

Why is what Siemens do necessary? (03:18)
What is Siemens doing to help us take advantage of the Internet of Things (IoT)? (09:44)
Why is it better to make factories more efficient instead of getting cheaper labor? (15:44)
How would you describe President Biden based on your recent interaction? (19:57)
Does Siemens use gaming technology to design some of its products? (27:30)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why Siemens' capability to build both software and hardware is an advantage (05:02)
One of the first inventions by Siemens (07:01)
An example of a software-hardware connection created by Siemens that’s in use today (08:04)
Barbara’s meeting with President Biden in the White House (10:58)
Similarities between video games and the current engineering environment (24:40)

Connect with Barbara Humpton:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Terra Sound, Patterns of Life from Patterns of Light - Part 2

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 09:00:55 -0000

Imagine having an underground system that can continuously collect data related to traffic, earthquakes, and other vibration-causing activities.

One of the biggest advantages that such a system would present is its ability to work all day, and all night, uninterrupted. It would not require light or regular removal of obstructions. That’s exactly what Terra Sound’s acoustic system does for cities and organizations that have ground as well as underground assets. The fact that the data is collected consistently makes it easier to gain fast actionable insight from it.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews two brothers, Brian Borkowski, founder of Terra Sound, and Craig Borkowski, a board member and former CEO of Terra Sound. They’ll help us understand how and why they choose the products they are currently offering. They’ll also share some details about the existing use cases of their technology as well as possible future use cases.

Some Questions I Ask:

What was your inspiration when you were young? (01:21)
How did Terra Sound move from being in the military to being a start-up? (09:30)
Which of your three products has the biggest potential for growth? (14:05)
What do you think this technology could evolve into doing beyond what you're doing today? (22:53)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The most valuable lesson that Brian learned from being in the military (05:37)
How Terra Sound chooses which products to develop (12:52)
The progress their product has made in terms of smart city applicability (15:46)
The future application of Terra Sound’s technology according to Craig and Brian (24:56)

Connect with Brian Borkowski:

Connect with Craig Borkowski:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Terra Sound, Patterns of Life from Patterns of Light - Part 1

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 09:00:22 -0000

Technology has now gone underground. It's laying low!

Organizations that help protect property, underground assets and provide data on the status of our urban infrastructure, have opened up a new technological frontier. Solutions in this frontier don’t necessarily rely on vision, they can do quite a bit by sensing vibrations.

A software-based services company, Terra Sound has developed a distributed acoustic sensing system that uses fiber optics to collect, transmit data for analysis by AI based methods. Imagine a system that’s underground, detecting vibrations, making sense of those vibrations, and providing you with actionable insights on a range of things including if an intruder is present, the motion of pedestrians and vehicles from micromoblity to trains. That’s exactly what their solution does!

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews two brothers, Brian Borkowski, founder of Terra Sound, and Craig Borkowski, a board member and former CEO of Terra Sound. They’ll help us understand the company’s vision as well as the origin of their technology. They’ll also share more details about their products and the purpose they serve.

Some Questions I Ask:

What’s Terra Sound's vision? (03:19)
What are the advantages of using fiber optic cable underground to do acoustic sensing? (07:41)
What can you provide to cities that would be helpful? (13:10)
How can your system help EMTs get to the scene of an accident faster? (19:21)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How Terra Sound creates important patterns (04:08)
How each of their three products works (05:16)
How they sort the different vibrations picked by the cables (15:25)
How Terra Sound’s technology could impact the development of autonomous cars (23:22)

Connect with Brian Borkowski:

Connect with Craig Borkowski:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Championing Sustainability in Motorsport with Alejandro Agag- Part 2

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:00:20 -0000

A few decades back, the idea of electric motor racing would have been seen as ridiculous. Fast forward to today, we have successful electric racing competitions both on water and on land.

Making such progress took a few courageous people who were willing and capable of pushing what they knew about motor racing to the edge. Today, such competitions have become a main source of innovation for technological solutions that are taking sustainable transport to the next level. Their success so far has attracted other players in the motor racing world who might have viewed electric motor racing as unviable.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon continues his interview with Alejandro Agag, co-founder, and CEO of Formula E Holdings Ltd. He is also the CEO of Extreme E, Chairman of Formula E, and Chairman of E1 Series. Today he’ll tell us about some of the innovative solutions that have originated from electric motor racing. Additionally, he’ll share with us what the future of motor racing will look like.

Some Questions I Ask:

What made you leave politics and join motorsport? (01:06)
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a businessman? (02:58)
What are some of the technologies that originated from Formula E? (11:26)
How will Formula E coexist will Formula 1 once it becomes fully electric? (17:04)
What’s racing going to be like in the year 2050? (20:03)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Some of the businesses that he tried and failed (03:36)
The criteria that Alejandro uses to identify a good driver (04:53)
The progression of Formula E from gen 1 to gen 3 (07:00)
How a Formula E car reuses the generated energy (08:37)
Things that need to happen to address the issue of climate change (22:22)

Connect with Alejandro:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Championing Sustainability in Motorsport with Alejandro Agag- Part 1

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 09:00:25 -0000

In 2022, more than 122,000 electric cars are being sold worldwide every week. They have become so common that they rarely get our attention when we come across them.

While this may seem like enough, we still have a long way to go. There is still a lot that remains to be done and improved to successfully tackle climate change. One of the areas that have seen great improvements in regard to environmental sustainability in the last decade is motorsport. The introduction of electric vehicles in motorsport has shone more light on sustainability and created an avenue for many more eco-friendly innovations.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Alejandro Agag, co-founder, and CEO of Formula E Holdings Ltd. He is also the CEO of Extreme E, Chairman of Formula E, and Chairman of E1 Series. Today he’ll help us understand the vital role that motorsport is playing in promoting sustainability. Additionally, he’ll share with us the motivation behind creating the different electric racing competitions.

Some Questions I Ask:

How long did it take for Formula E to be a good business? (04:53)
What are the different series you’ve created and how are they different? (11:06)
Why are Formula E races held in cities and not on race tracks? (15:13)
What’s the biggest challenge you face while constructing a race track in a city? (14:14)
Have you ever engaged Tesla about joining Formula E? (22:17)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The motivation behind starting Formula E (03:25)
How motorsport can help sustainability (05:53)
How the idea of Formula E started off (09:39)
What it took to get major car manufacturers on board (19:07)
The importance of gender diversity in Formula E (20:06)

Connect with Alejandro:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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The Benefits of Autonomous Vehicles

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

The percentage of people who wish to own a motor vehicle is going down. That’s because people want to only pay for mobility services when they need them.

This is being viewed as a sign that we are becoming ready to welcome and adopt autonomous transportation. That is why mobility companies are at the forefront of the development of autonomous vehicles (AV). They want to make sure that the user experience is given a high priority in the process so as to attract as many clients as possible. Thus the inclusion of features such as fast internet connections and seamless connections to personal devices.

I’m your host, Conor Peick, and today I’m joined by Dale Tutt, Vice President of Industry Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Also joining us is Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries for Siemens Digital Industries Software. They’ll share with us the different levels of autonomy as well as what each of them entails. Additionally, you’ll hear about the benefits of autonomous vehicles.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the different levels of autonomy? (05:40)
How do AV companies push that technology across a huge range of scales? (14:41)
What can AV companies do to build trust in AV? (17:43)
Why are companies investing in AV? (22:09)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Nand’s involvement in the SEA council for vehicle autonomy (01:48)
The biggest change that the automotive and transportation industries are going through (02:53)
The sustainability benefit of AVs (24:32)
The people who’ll benefit from AVs (26:49)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Dale Tutt:

Connect with Conor Peick:

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Our Robotic Future with Marc Theermann CSO Boston Dynamics- Part 2

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:00:51 -0000

In the near future, robots will clearly play a bigger role in our lives.

We can certainly expect to see robots inspecting parts on a factory floor or unloading trucks in the warehouse. Many companies are excited about such possibilities and are already partnering with robotics companies so as to be at the forefront of that transformation. Even more exciting is that we can expect to have robots that can sit next to us and hold meaningful conversations with us.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Marc Theermann, Chief Strategy Officer at Boston Dynamics which makes the most advanced mobile humanoid robots on earth. Today, he’ll help understand the different types of robots that they make and their capabilities. You’ll also hear about what we can expect from the robotics field in the near and the not-so-near future.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The role that a Spot robot, can play in a manufacturing facility (01:28)
The type of tasks that humanoids would be very good at (06:04)
Atlas robot’s capabilities and level of autonomy (07:52)
The future of robotics and how they’ll work with other existing technologies (12:54)

Connect with Marc:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Our Robotic Future with Marc Theermann CSO Boston Dynamics - Part 1

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 20:09:00 -0000

What a man can do, a robot can do better!

Although not entirely true. This statement is valid for many industrial and manufacturing floor activities. That’s because robots can be taught to be quite mobile on their own and work in unstructured environments. This is why companies are investing heavily to develop and deploy the next magical robot that can operate autonomously on the factory floor. And don’t worry about robots taking over - they will be trained to be our companions and partners.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Marc Theermann, Chief Strategy Officer at Boston Dynamics that makes the most advanced mobile humoind robots on earth. Today, he’ll help understand what their robots are used for and the progress they’ve made so far. He’ll also share with us the role that robots can play in solving real-world problems.

Some Questions I Ask:

What is Boston Dynamic’s mission? (03:18)
What’s your biggest priority as you move from r&d mode? (04:47)
How do you see robots enriching our everyday lives? (07:37)
What does the market out there really wants with robots? (19:26)
How did you get inspired to be in robotics? (26:00)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The difference between Boston Dynamics and other robotics companies (03:54)
What they are doing to make humans excited about robots (10:43)
The difference between how robots are viewed in Asia versus in North America (13:11)
The role robots can play in bridging the last 50 meters of package delivery (17:25)
Features of Boston Dynamic robots (27:28)

Connect with Marc:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Smart Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:00:23 -0000

Very few industries have experienced more changes than the automotive industry has in the last three decades.

The industry has evolved to integrate with new technologies as well as to meet stricter sustainability goals. Without a change in how automakers designed and built their cars, these changes would have put them out of business. One of the factors that have enabled them to remain profitable is the adoption of smart manufacturing.

The use of data generated by high-tech equipment on the production line has enabled the creation of very efficient automotive factories. This has allowed the automotive companies that have embraced this approach to remain profitable.

In the episode, Conor Peick is joined by a guest from Siemens Digital Industries Software - Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industrie. He’ll help us understand how automotive companies are approaching the shift from traditional manufacturing to smart manufacturing. He’ll also share with us the benefits of doing virtual commissioning of a production line before the physical commissioning.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The impact that changes in the automotive industry have on smart manufacturing (01:27)
The shortcomings of the traditional manufacturing approach (03:00)
What automakers have to do to meet sustainability goals (06:59)
The benefits of starting with virtual commissioning (09:57)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Conor Peick:

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Anatomy of the new Formula One Race Car with Bob Bell- Part 2

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 10:00:10 -0000

Formula One is evolving to remain relevant and interesting in the 21st century.

A unique age where if it isn’t green enough, it can get ‘canceled’, and if it doesn’t trend on social media, it doesn’t matter!

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Changes in the engine that we can expect in the near future (01:51)
The differences between Formula One and Formula E (03:27)
The impact of increased focus on social media and off-the-track stories (06:30)
The importance of a Drag Reduction System (DRS) (07:34)

Connect with Bob:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Anatomy of the new Formula One Car with Bob Bell- Part 1

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:00:09 -0000

The drive to win and the hunger to compete!

This pretty much sums up what the Formula One race regulators have to control.

They set the rules to ensure that teams and drivers compete in a safe but thrilling environment. To achieve that, they pretty much have rules governing what you can and cannot do with every part of the complex F1 car. Beyond that, they ensure the fans still get those roaring sounds, screeching tires, high speeds, and nail-biting overtakes.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Bob Bell, Strategic Advisor to BWT Alpine F1 team. He’s been in Formula One racing for 36 years and has won several championships with different teams. Today, he’ll walk us through the Alpine A522 racing car for the 2022 season, from front to back, explaining the changes made and the expected impact. Additionally, he’ll share with us the impact that the new rules are expected to have on the competition this season.

Some Questions I Ask:

Who are the other members of your Grid4Good charity? (06:02)
What is the motivation behind changing the F1 rules in the 2022 season? (06:36)
How do the A522 wheels help with aerodynamics? (14:13)
How does the front wing help with the flow of the air over the car? (20:56)
What has been done to increase safety? (27:33)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How aerodynamics impacts braking in a race (09:34)
Why the F1 regulations have to be clear and airtight (12:29)
The importance of standardized components in F1 (18:14)
The consequences of too much ground force in a race (25:24)
How the amount of energy absorbed in case of a crash was increased (29:37)

Connect with Bob:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Uncovering Damon’s safer and smarter electric motorcycle with Jay Giraud - Part 2

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 09:00:01 -0000

It is said that “Four wheels move the body and two wheels move the soul.”

Riding a motorbike means you always have to be fully engaged, especially when hitting those high speeds. It's not easier or safer than driving a car but it provides a richer experience, and that’s what attracts riders.

A motorbike innovation that adds value in aspects such as safety and eco-friendliness without diminishing the rider’s experience is definitely viable.

That’s exactly what one company has been seeking to achieve. They’ve built a high-performance electric motorbike with AI-powered safety features without diminishing the riding experience.

In this episode, the second part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Jay Giraud, CEO, and co-founder of Damon Motorcycles – an electric motorcycle startup aiming to make the riding experience cleaner, safer, and more exhilarating. He’ll share with us what sets their motorbike apart when compared to traditional motorbikes.

Some Questions I Ask:

How does the performance of your bike compare to traditional motorbikes? (00:56)
Is the battery in a Damon motorbike heavier than an internal combustion engine and the fuel? (04:57)
How does the bike communicate with a rider when they are in a dangerous situation? (13:39)
How far away are we from a semi-autonomous motorbike (15:24)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What was done to make a Damon motorbike lightweight (03:26)
The bikes’ performance in terms of top speed and acceleration (07:58)
The features and sensors that contribute to the bike’s safety (09:49)
How much it costs to buy a Damon motorbike (19:21)

Connect with Jay Giraud:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Uncovering Damon’s safer and smarter electric motorcycle with Jay Giraud - Part 1

Wed, 18 May 2022 09:00:53 -0000

Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating!

If you are not used to it, you get to experience fear, pleasure, and freedom, all at once. At high speeds; you get to feel the wind hitting you, hear the sound coming from the engine, and on sharp corners, see yourself defying gravity.

However, a majority of people riding motorcycles don’t get to use them because they enjoy the experience. They do it because it's the only means of transport that’s available to them.

One of the biggest challenges that faces almost all motorbike users is safety. This problem is magnified in cases where they have to share roads with cars and it has necessitated the need for a safer and smarter motorbike.

One of the ways to achieve that is to build an electric motorcycle that can scan its surroundings and warn the rider when they are facing danger.

In this episode, the first part of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Jay Giraud, CEO and co-founder of Damon Motorcycles. An electric motorcycle startup aiming to make the riding experience cleaner, safer, and more exhilarating. He’ll share with us the progress they’ve made so far with their electric motorcycle.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the big problems that motorcyclists face that you're trying to reverse engineer? (02:52)
How do you use data from riders to enhance safety? (15:33)
How did your career evolve? (20:35)
Who helped you in building your first electric car? (24:30)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why people push the limits of motorcycle safety (07:35)
How Damon makes motorbikes safer (08:55)
The time a rider or driver requires to avoid an accident (13:26)
The paradigm that Damon Motorcycles is working to change (17:53)

Connect with Jay Giraud:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Shift founder Toby Russell on the digital transformation of used car sales - Part 2

Wed, 04 May 2022 09:00:00 -0000

In a startup, absolutely nothing happens unless you make it happen.

That is what makes managing a startup an uphill task. It requires a strong culture and a leadership team that knows what to prioritize.

That’s because as the company grows in size and revenue its priorities also evolve. For instance, to create a superior product and remain competitive, there is a need to hire more specialists to replace the generalist talent.

These challenges aren’t specific to companies that are building new innovative products from scratch. Companies that are also working on digitally transforming existing industries also have to overcome them.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Toby Russell, founder and former CEO of Shift. He’ll share with us what it takes, in terms of structure and culture, to build a successful company. He’ll also share with us his views on the future of buying and selling used cars.

Some Questions I Ask:

How do you choose the areas to add more resources? (03:04)
What inspired you early on in your career? (10:07)
What's the most interesting thing that you encountered being a deputy press secretary? (12:52)
How did you balance family life and startup life? (20:54)
What retail marketplace out there is prime for this kind of revolution? (34:50)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Talent and staff distribution at Shift (01:28)
How a team evolves as the company grows (06:13)
The biggest challenge that Toby faced while building Shift (25:55)
The impact of Shift’s ‘no interruption’ culture (26:50)
How it’s going to be like to buy and sell a car 20 years from now (31:32)

Connect with Toby:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Shift founder Toby Russell on the digital transformation of used car sales - Part 1

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:00:53 -0000

For most people buying a used car is an unpleasant experience that they only go through because they have to.

All the haggling and sometimes ‘clever’ misrepresentation of the vehicle’s value add up to create a bad experience. And buying a new car isn’t a great experience either, especially when you consider the drastic depreciation right after driving off the parking lot.

None of the two happens because it’s impossible to get value for money when buying a car. It happens because the murky process benefits the salespeople involved by allowing them to take advantage of their customers.

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Toby Russell, founder and former CEO of Shift. He’ll share with us how his company creates a great customer experience in the used car market. He’ll also share with us how the ‘customer forward approach’ helped them in creating a successful business.

Some Questions I Ask:

Was there a personal experience that made you want to start Shift? (05:10)
What are the secrets and pitfalls behind new car buying and selling? (09:45)
Have you ever rejected a car because it didn’t meet Shift standards? (20:00)
What do you mean by “working back from the customer”? (27:16)
What in Shift shows the customer forward approach? (30:34)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The ideal used car qualities (13:30)
Qualities of cars that can be classified under Shift Value and Shift Certified (15:01)
The optimal used car that gives the best value for money (17:45)
What inspired Shift to introduce car financing (24:35)
What it took to create a great car buying experience (32:06)

Connect with Toby:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoox’s Journey to Safety with Mark R. Rosekind - Part 2

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 09:00:38 -0000

“Safety isn’t expensive, it's priceless.”

In the Autonomous Vehicles field, safety is at the front, back and center. In fact, all the other features that are included only make sense if a vehicle is proven to be safe.

That’s why AV companies are investing heavily in proving that their vehicles are safe.

The fact that they have to meet higher safety standards has made them rethink their approach to it. Almost all of them have added new safety features as well as upgraded the existing ones to create vehicles that are safer than what’s currently on the streets.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Mark R. Rosekind, Chief Safety Innovation Officer at Zoox, Inc. He’ll help us understand the safety features that are included in their vehicle. He’ll also share with us how his vast experience in transport has helped him in his current role.

Some Questions I Ask:

What should you do to regain alertness if you feel sleepy while driving? (06:34)
What are the key areas that you consider when you arrive at a crash scene? (10:41)
What exactly are you doing to make the stopping distance shorter? (22:51)
How do you make the vehicle safe in case a system failure occurs? 24:29)
What needs to be done to our current infrastructure to make AVs safer? (29:17)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What inspired Mark to pursue the field of safety (00:41)
The difference between NHTSA and NTSB (08:56)
The differences between how regulators and AV companies approach safety (12:14)
The most significant safety innovations by Zoox (17:05)
How Zoox uses simulation to test their AV (26:21)

Connect with Mark R. Rosekind:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoox's Journey to Safety with Mark R. Rosekind - Part 1

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 10:00:42 -0000

With autonomous vehicles, the goal is to get to a point when they can give us a “boring” or uneventful ride.

And you may be thinking, “Well, that’s not exciting at all!”

AV companies are tackling this challenge head-on by borrowing safety approaches from the aviation industry as well as innovating new strategies.

Some Questions I Ask:

What do you consider while designing your vehicle? (09:48)
How do you create “a journey to enjoy”? (10:54)
How do you know that you’re safe enough? (19:48)
What does “a safe system approach” mean? (22:12)
Are you doing anything special to enhance communication with first responders in case of an accident? (29:24)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The history of Zoox (02:30)
The difference between proactive and reactive safety (13:29)
The difference between how the aviation and automotive industries approach safety (15:45)
How the Zoox vehicle will communicate with people around it (23:26)
What it takes to gain people’s trust (33:00)

Connect with Mark R. Rosekind:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Verification and Validation of Autonomous Vehicles

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:29 -0000

Level 5 of autonomy in vehicles used on public roads will only be possible after the manufacturers prove their vehicles are safe enough. The fact that they have to meet standards that are being developed as they also develop their vehicles makes it a very challenging task. That’s why the stakeholders in the transportation industry will have to work together to make AVs a reality.

However, many OEMs are already manufacturing vehicles enabled with levels 2 and 3 of autonomy as they continue to pursue those higher levels. This is largely viewed as an important step towards the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles.

I’m your host, Conor Peick, and today I’m joined by Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Gwen van Vugt, Senior Director of Autonomous Vehicles, both of Siemens Digital Industries Software. They’ll help us understand what the AVs manufacturers will have to do to prove the safety of their systems. They’ll also share with us how model-based engineering can help in handling the complexity that transport as a service presents to AVs.

Some Questions I Ask:

Is AV development still one of the big trends in the automotive industry? (02:50)
What are the current major challenges around AV development? (04:49)
Do you think that physical testing will become redundant? (12:30)
Are consumers ready for a higher level of autonomy? (15:58)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The role of simulation in the development of a safe AV (08:51)
The role that governments will have to play to make AVs a reality (21:04)
How transportation as a service makes the AV development more complex (25:51)
How smart infrastructure will impact AV verification and validation (30:22)

Connect with Gwen van Vugt:

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Conor Peick:

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Sustainable EV Global Circumnavigation with Ben Scott-Geddes, Fering Technologies - Part 2

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 10:00:28 -0000

What capabilities would a vehicle that can successfully circumnavigate the globe need to possess?

It would need to function in extreme heat, freezing temperatures, rugged terrain, and smooth highways.

This is exactly what the Pioneer truck has been designed and is being built to accomplish. On top of all that, it will also be a hybrid truck that is eco-friendly.

The primary market for this truck will be adventurers, rainforest protection agencies, antarctic explorers, and vaccine transporters, among others. The goal will be to provide them with consistent performance in some of the most remote parts of the world.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Ben Scott-Geddes, the founder of Fering Technologies, a company that is developing the Pioneer hybrid truck. He’ll share with us the qualities that differentiate their truck from other trucks as well the progress they’ve made so far.

Some Questions I Ask:

What made you shift from designing sports cars to building trucks? (0:48)
How does the Pioneer truck compare to other trucks? (06:44)
What do you estimate is the miles/gallon for your truck? (10:17)
Why would you use a leather-like material on the body instead of metal? (10:49)
When can I buy a Pioneer Truck and how much will it cost me? (18:38)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How Ferarri develops its sports cars (02:00)
What goes into making the Pioneer truck lightweight compared to other trucks (08:56)
How the truck achieves fuel economy and efficiency (14:29)
Qualities that make a lithium-titanium-oxide battery the best fit for the Pioneer truck (16:55)
What the future holds for the Pioneer truck (21:46)

Connect with Ben Scott-Geddes:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sustainable EV Global Circumnavigation with Ben Scott-Geddes, Fering Technologies

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:00:39 -0000

Today, most car manufacturers are focused on coming up with vehicles that are electric and autonomous. However, these cars are only designed to work in places that have developed infrastructure to support them.

One company is seeking to remove this limitation by developing a truck that can circumnavigate the globe. A vehicle that would give great performances in hot deserts, as well as in the North and South Pole.

On top of all that, it's a hybrid car.

This will push sustainability goals to territories that are currently ignored while still delivering a better driving experience than what most off-grid capable vehicles provide.

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Ben Scott-Geddes, the founder of Fering Technologies, a company that is developing the Pioneer hybrid truck. He’ll share with us what they’ve accomplished so far, and the impact they expect their vehicle to make.

Some Questions I Ask:

What’s your goal with the Fering Pioneer truck? (02:42)
What are the advantages of your truck over other trucks in the same category? (04:49)
What kind of input does an explorer bring in when designing the truck? (10:08)
What are some of the fundamental design elements of the Pioneer truck that make it such a sustainable vehicle? (20:21)
How did you get into motorsports? (34:55)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The truck’s target market (03:52)
The considerations made when developing the Pioneer Truck (06:24)
The most challenging part when circumnavigating the globe on a truck (13:40)
The comparison between Pioneer truck’s engine and other truck engines (24:42)
The different expertise of the team that is designing the car (29:08)

Connect with Ben Scott-Geddes:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autonomous Vehicles: The Shift Towards a Software and Electronics Based Process

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 10:00:22 -0000

Autonomous vehicles have taken longer to develop than expected.

Not long ago, electric vehicles and autonomous were ideas that were only seriously touted and pursued by ambitious startups.

Traditional OEMs were comfortable with their established market share that only required a few reasonable upgrades a year. But, that’s all in the past!

Today, all major OEMs have plans that will see them go fully electric in the coming decades. To achieve this audacious goal, they have to completely transform the vehicle development process as well as their business model.

In this episode, Conor Peick is joined by two guests from Siemens Digital Industries Software - Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries, and Doug Burcicki, Sr. Director - A&T, Heavy Equipment - Integrated Electrical Systems. They’ll help us understand how traditional OEMs are coping with the need for vehicles that have technologically advanced electronics. They’ll also talk about the challenge of increased complexity and the strategies that companies are using to overcome them.

Some Questions Asked:

Does the development of autonomous vehicles add to the complexity of vehicle electrical systems? (21:23)
Why are OEMs enduring the struggle that comes with increased complexity? (23:54)
Do the current EE Systems standards limit the development of higher levels of autonomy? (28:34)
What can traditional OEMs do to prepare for the future of mobility and transportation? (34:31)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How the pursuit of autonomous cars is impacting the automotive industry (01:36)
The competitive landscape changes being experienced in the industry (04:24)
How the entrance of technology companies have impacted the pace of vehicle development (12:09)
The two drivers of complexity in the vehicle electrical systems (17:50)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Doug Burcicki:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uncovering the Concept of Connected Vehicles with Marcus Welz, Hyundai - Part 2

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:00:06 -0000

Imagine having a car that knows you so well it can make recommendations on where to eat. If permitted, it would collect data on your driving patterns, share that data with an insurance company, and help get you a better insurance deal.

Such a car will go beyond being a machine you own, to being a device connected to your phone, your home, your accounts, among others.

These are some of the features that connected cars will bring to life once they hit the market in the future.

And that future is not very far off. Companies such as Hyundai have made big strides towards making these capabilities a reality for us.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Marcus Welz, Vice President Smart Mobility at Hyundai. He’ll share with us the company’s vision on connected cars and the impact that they expect to have. He’ll also help us understand the extra features that the car will have as well as how they’ll contribute to the overall occupants’ experience.

Some Questions I Ask:

What benefits can you get from having a smart car connected to a smart home? (09:31)
How will connected cars impact how drivers and cars are insured? (11:20)
How will driver monitoring contribute to the occupants’ safety? (13:51)
What is the biggest engineering problem that needs to be solved to make connected cars a reality? (22:09)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Hyundai vision for connected cars (01:06)
How the vehicle can use selected personal data to make recommendations (04:05)
Example of collaboration between the infrastructure side and the car side (05:48)
How connected cars can help in providing a more sustainable trip (17:14)

Connect with Marcus Welz:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vehicle Electrification: The Evolution of Vehicles Electrical and Electronic (EE) Systems

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 10:00:08 -0000

One of the biggest challenges that car manufacturers can’t escape is the changing consumer demands. For instance, most consumers are now very keen on the experience they have in the car - they no longer see it as just a utility that moves you from point A to point B.

Many companies have seen this as an opportunity to deliver more customized products to the market with the goal of meeting diverse consumer needs. To accommodate the shift from plain standardized cars, EV manufactures have had to change their EE systems as well as their business models. These changes have increased the complexity that OEMs have to deal with while working to deliver high-quality cars within shorter periods.

I’m your host, Conor Peick, and today I’m joined by Doug Burcicki, Sr. Director of Integrated Electrical Systems for A&T and Heavy Equipment at Siemens Digital Industries Software. And, Migo Richter, a member of the Siemens IES Automotive and Transportation Market Development Team.

They’ll help us understand the changes that are taking place in electrical and electronic (EE) systems within the vehicle. They’ll also help us understand the consumer demand changes and how they are impacting the industry’s business model. Additionally, we’ll discuss how Siemens offerings make it possible for EV companies to handle increased complexity.

Some Questions I Ask:

How are the recent technological trends affecting vehicle electrical systems? (07:53)
What do you think vehicle electrical architecture will look like in the next five to seven years? (13:27)
How can we overcome traditional silos in vehicle development? (26:29)
How can agile development strategy help EV companies cope with accelerated timelines? (37:31)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The history of electric vehicles companies and the challenges they faced (02:27)
How increased complexity in electrical and electronic systems in vehicles will be handled (19:50)
The different types of complexities in vehicle electrification (21:04)
Why speed-to-market is important for EV companies (33:42)

Connect with Doug Burcicki:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uncovering the Concept of Connected Vehicles with Marcus Welz, Hyundai - Part 1

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 10:00:54 -0000

Imagine being in a car that allows you to subscribe to the features you want instead of visiting a dealership to get them. On top of that, you would also be able to get system updates, sync with your cloud playlists, weather updates, assisted driving, among others.

Well, that’s what car manufacturers are seeking to do as they push to create connected vehicles.

They are essentially turning cars into computers that we can drive and get a far better user experience.

It's all understandable because users' needs have expanded beyond moving from point A to point B and accelerating to certain speeds in seconds. The ability to connect the vehicle to one’s devices as well as the internet will soon be a necessity rather than a luxury.

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Marcus Welz, Vice President Smart Mobility at Hyundai. He’ll help us understand the concept of connected vehicles and the benefits they provide to the users. He’ll also share with us the challenges that they face in the development of these vehicles.

Some Questions I Ask:

What exactly is a connected vehicle? (02:16)
How do the monitoring features contribute to improved user experience? (10:13)
How does your past experience, working on intelligent traffic systems, help you in the job you are in now? (18:37)
What do you think would motivate the different players to work together to maximize the benefits of connected vehicles? (25:22)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The negative side of connected cars (05:22)
The different aspects of a connected car and how they all work together to create a customized experience (06:59)
How the connected car project aligns with Hyundai’s vision (12:03)
How different people view and relate to the concept of connected vehicles (20:28)

Connect with Marcus Welz:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Future Car Podcast with Ed Bernardon - Best of 2021

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 10:00:35 -0000

Sustainable and smart transportation - are we there yet?

Not yet, but so far, the future looks promising. Last year, we had many guests from very diverse fields who helped us understand the innovations and efforts shaping the future of transportation.

This first episode of 2022 is different but equally awesome. You’ll get to hear two parts from the most listened-to podcasts of 2021 in the Women Driving the Future series. If you want to hear more, you can always check out the full episodes posted last year.

In this episode, we’ll start with Ed Bernardon interviewing Sara Spangelo, the Co-Founder and CEO of SWARM, a satellite company working to link the world through reliable, low-cost internet connectivity. She’ll share with us the impact that her company is having and will continue to have on the future of transportation.

And then we’ll hear part of his interview with Susie Wolff, Team Principal for ROKiT Venturi Racing. She has been a racing phenom since the age of 8 and earned her place in racing history as the first female driver in 22 years to participate at Formula One Race Weekend at the 2014 British Grand Prix. She’ll share with us her experiences as a race car driver and a Team Principal.

Some Questions I Ask:

(Sara Spangelo & Ed Bernardon)

What made you decide to shape your company around the goal of affordable connectivity? (04:10)

How will SWARM help in increasing the digitization of farming? (10:27)

What role is SWARM going to play in future transportation? (14:07)

What do you envision the future of transportation in space will be like? (17:42)

(Susie Wolff & Ed Bernardon)

How did you get your first sponsor? (21:04)

What is the most important thing that you learnt in racing? (24:30)

Why is it that we need the ‘Girl on Track’ and the ‘Dare to be Different’ programs? (26:50)

What’s the role of racing in the shift towards sustainable transportation? (27:48)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

(Sara Spangelo & Ed Bernardon)

When Sara first caught the entrepreneurial bug (03:17)

How SWARM creates affordable connectivity (05:47)

Who SWARM’s target customers are and their value proposition (07:02)

The future of the company beyond putting up the satellites (17:00)

(Susie Wolff & Ed Bernardon)

How it was racing F1 champion Lewis Hamilton (21:36)

Importance of good relationships within a racing team (23:35)

The importance of gender diversity in F1 racing teams (25:31)

How Formula E promotes electric vehicles (29:16)

Connect With Sara Spangelo:

SWARM

Connect With Susie Wolff:

Twitter

Instagram

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Future Car: Driving a Lifestyle Revolution

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Mondavi’s Autonomous Electric Tractors for Sustainable, Affordable Farming - Part 2

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 10:00:46 -0000

Sustainability will play a major role in shaping the future of farming!

The biggest changes that have to be made to create sustainable farms are the farm input and the machines utilized. Companies in this industry are leveraging technology to come up with ways of making the above changes while still being mindful of the farm produce quality.

So far, it is working! The current technological advancements are making farming cheaper and more friendly to newbie farmers. This is bound to promote the mass adoption of sustainable farming strategies.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Carlo Mondavi, grandson of Napa Valley icon Robert Mondavi, and founder/Chief Farming Officer of Monarch Tractor. Carlo is also a farmer and one of the owners of RAEN Winery. We’ll talk about the impact their autonomous tractor is having on the farming industry as well as what the future of farming looks like.

Some Questions I Ask:

How many tractors can a single operator run? (06:40)
What’s the role of data analytics in all this and how do you collect it? (08:46)
Do you foresee a future where AI will play a bigger role? (13:00)
What do you see as the next two or three steps in farming in the next 5 to 10 years? (21:59)
How are we going to be making wine in the year 2050? (24:55)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How Monarch will help in getting rid of chemical use in the farms (03:24)
How the Monarch tractor removes weed without hurting the vine (05:05)
Challenges that farmers are facing during the harvest season (07:28)
How technology is making it easier to become a farmer (16:24)
Some of the Monarch’s challenge success stories (19:07)

Connect with Carlo Mondavi:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carlo Mondavi’s Autonomous Electric Tractors for Sustainable, Affordable Farming - Part 1

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:00:51 -0000

If you eat today, thank a farmer!

Farming is one of the most important aspects of human life as we know it. It’s also one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution which is causing climate change that threatens our lives as we know it. Simply put, we can’t live without farming - but how can we live with it!

This is where sustainable farming comes in, and one of the ways to promote it is by using eco-friendly, cost effective farming machines. For instance, an electric tractor which reduces a farm’s carbon footprint while also autonomous to reduce operating costs.

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Carlo Mondavi, grandson of Napa Valley icon Robert Mondavi, and founder/Chief Farming Officer of Monarch Tractor. Carlo is also a farmer and one of the owners of RAEN Winery. We’ll talk about the use of autonomous electric tractors in implementing cost-effective and sustainable farming as well as learn a bit about what it takes to manage a vineyard and turn grapes into a fine wine.

Some Questions I Ask:

How did the idea of the Monarch Tractor come about? (02:24)
What’s the meaning of the farmer-first mentality? (12:42)
Do you have a lot of competitors? (21:43)
How did your grandfather’s influence help you get to where you are today? (24:28)
Where did the name RAEN come from? (35:01)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The origin of the name ‘Monarch Challenge’ (03:27)
The problems that the Monarch Tractor is meant to solve (14:39)
How the autonomous tractor is able to save on cost and time (18:47)
The impact that stainless steel has on the taste of the wine (30:24)
What prompted the idea of skincare products made from grapes (33:32)

Connect with Carlo Mondavi:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Next Leap for Electric Vehicles with Will Graylin, Indigo Technologies - Part 2

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 10:00:09 -0000

The EV market is growing at a very fast pace.

As the demand for electric cars continues to grow and more companies join the industry, the EV market is becoming more competitive than ever before. Despite the presence of big companies with deep pockets, smaller start-ups are playing a critical role in moving the industry forward through disruptive innovations.

It’s not just the hunger to get a game-changing car that is pushing startups. It’s also the freedom to explore new features and new ways of doing things with little fear of failure. They’ve extended the competition field from speed and acceleration to other aspects such as comfort, safety, cost, and environmental friendliness.

In this episode, the second part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Will Graylin, a seasoned innovator who is the CEO of both an electric vehicles company Indigo, and a digital wallet company OV Loop. He’ll help us understand what sets their car apart from other EVs and conventional cars. He’ll also share with us what he thinks the future holds for the EV industry.

Some Questions I Ask:

What makes your electric car unique? (01:05)
Why should one buy your car? (07:46)
Why does a Project Alpha car only have 3 wheels? (11:39)
How does an Indigo car compare to conventional vehicles in terms of speed and acceleration? (13:26)
How do you incorporate safety and still get a lot of room on the inside of the vehicle? (17:10)
Do you think that once autonomy matures, it will play a role in some of the vehicles? (24:56)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How the robotic wheel and passive spring work to keep the vehicle stable (04:53)
The importance of the robotic wheel system (06:59)
Comparison between a Bravo car’s operating cost against that of other cars such as Tesla (09:45)
The meaning of primary and secondary safety when evaluating cars (14:48)
How the company utilizes composite materials to keep the cost down (19:32)
The company’s view and approach to autonomy (22:17)

Connect with Will Graylin:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Next Leap for Electric Vehicles with Will Graylin, Indigo Technologies - Part 1

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 10:00:29 -0000

Electric vehicles are the future but we are still miles away from mass adoption.

One of the biggest constraints facing the EV market is the cost of acquisition. The best ones are just too expensive. No wonder a significant percentage of the population views them as luxury vehicles!

Most investments in the field of EVs have been directed towards increasing both the battery capacity and charging speed. However, the game-changing innovation in this industry will have to address the two main challenges: cost and single-charge distance. Whoever manages to kill these two birds with one stone will be well on their way to considerable industry disruption.

In this episode, the first part out of two, Ed Bernardon interviews Will Graylin, a seasoned innovator who is the CEO of both an electric vehicles company Indigo, and a digital wallet company OV Loop. He’ll help understand the state of the EV industry and the impact they expect to make with the two companies. He’ll also share his entrepreneurial journey with us and the lessons learned along the way.

Some Questions I Ask:

Why do we need a class of vehicles that's so much smaller than the typical ones? (06:13)
What makes you believe that Indigo is going to be successful? (12:56)
How has being an immigrant impacted you in your career so far? (17:17)
What drove you to join the Navy and get on a submarine? (21:05)
What are the synergies between a car company and a digital wallet company? (38:10)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What goes into making a lightweight vehicle become stable (03:09)
The technology and innovations that makes Indigo cars affordable (09:30)
The difference between innovations and inventions (24:49)
The path from invention to innovation (25:41)
How the mobile wallet idea that was later acquired by Samsung came about (30:12)

Connect with Will Graylin:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vehicle Electrification: The Current State of the Electric Vehicles Industry

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 09:00:21 -0000

Electric cars powered by clean energy are an essential piece in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality!

This sounds perfect, so why don’t we already have many awesome EVs? Well, the shift from combustion engines to electric vehicles (EVs) has introduced unique challenges to vehicle manufacturers. It has even necessitated a change in how the design and development process has been approached for decades. However, these changes have sparked a lot of innovations around individual components as well as in how components work together.

I’m your host, Conor Peick, and today I’m joined by Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries for Siemens Digital Industries Software. He’ll help us understand the current state of EVs and the changes we can expect to see in the near future. You’ll also learn about what is driving the growth of the EVs market and how manufacturers are adjusting to it. We’ll also discuss the advancements being made to make batteries that last longer and charge faster.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are manufacturers doing to keep up with the growing demand for EVs? (03:39)
What are the biggest challenges to EVs today and in the near future? (05:57)
What are the interior design challenges that come with EVs? (21:28)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The driving factors behind the growth of EVs’ market (01:49)
Some of the elements that manufacturers need to consider when designing or developing the EVs of today (08:16)
The factors affecting the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle (15:11)
What solid-state batteries are and the benefits they offer (19:42)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Need For Speed - Autonomous Style with Matt Peak, Indy Autonomous Challenge

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 09:00:59 -0000

Are we ready to trust AI with our lives?

To most people, the answer is not yet. Well, this is exactly what autonomous cars will ask us to do when full autonomy is achieved. This journey is well on course despite the significant challenges it has faced in the past.

How can we safely achieve or advance this goal? This is a question that most players in the industry have been pondering.

In this episode, Ed Bernardon interviews Matt Peak, Managing Director at Energy Systems Network (ESN), an organization focused on the development of advanced technology for both the energy and the transportation sectors. Today, he’ll talk to us about the Indy Autonomous Challenge, an autonomous car race comprised of 9 university teams that will race wheel to wheel for $1.5 million in prize money at the Indianapolis Motor speedway. He’ll help us understand how this race came about and the goals they are seeking to achieve from this unique competition.

Some Questions I Ask:

What is Indy Autonomous Challenge and how did it all come about? (02:54)
What will the winner of the final race get? (07:03)
What makes the AV21 the most autonomous car ever built? (22:52)
What is ESN and what does it do? (41:21)
How does this race compare to Roborace? (52:50)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The key distinction between Indy Autonomous Challenge and DAPRA. (08:14)
How the race overcame the car cost hurdle. (18:37)
The array of sensors that are fitted into the AV21 race car (25:06)
How the race will be structured (33:57)
The role that Indy Autonomous Challenge has in advancing mobility (47:46)

Connect with Matt Peak:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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The Current State of Transport and Mobility with Onika Miller, FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 09:00:18 -0000

You are not stuck in traffic, you are traffic!

Isn’t it funny how most of the time we’ll feel like victims and not accomplices whenever we get stuck in traffic? If you live in some of the big cities, the only concern bigger than safety is a traffic jam. It makes you feel like you are wasting away. Sometimes you’ll even be thinking that the people in charge are actively trying to stop you from getting home faster.

Could shared transport and multiple options of transport modes be the ultimate solution to this? This is a question that cities and mobility organizations have been grappling with for decades now.

In this episode, part 2 of 2 episodes, Ed Bernardon interviews Onika Miller, Acting Secretary-General of the FIA Mobility Division, and Head of the FIA Innovation Fund. Her job involves creating a safer and sustainable transportation ecosystem for the future. She’ll help us understand the innovations taking place in the area of mobility and the benefits we stand to gain from them. We’ll also discuss the importance of safety as well as steps being taken to promote gender equality in motorsports.

Some Questions I Ask:

When do you think the City Trips app will become available in many cities? (05:40)
Do you see clubs using advanced traffic simulation tools such as the Siemens platform to help their cities solve traffic problems? (10:57)
What is Smart Cities Initiative about and what are its goals? (15:18)
What is the goal of a drone Academy? (23:05)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How City Trips app works (02:40)
How Siemens helps the urban mobility platforms compile and analyze their data (07:21)
How FIA is promoting gender equality and inclusion in motorsports (16:42)
Why safety has to be at the center of current and future modes of mobility (29:32)

Connect with Onika Miller:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Siemens Digital Industries Software

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Current State of Transport and Mobility with Onika Miller, FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 09:00:24 -0000

Did COVID permanently wipe out the gains made in shared mobility?

As the pandemic slows down due to vaccinations, many people are waiting to see if shared transport will make a comeback. Will people give up on having their own playlist, snacks in the glove compartment, freedom from scheduled rides, privacy when on that personal call, and many other personal car benefits? Clearly, this won’t be an overnight shift where people say, "COVID is over. Let’s take the train!"

The transport and mobility ecosystem was heavily impacted by the pandemic but it was also presented with an opportunity to fine-tune the progress they had made.

In this episode, part 1 of 2 episodes, Ed Bernardon interviews Onika Miller, Acting Secretary-General of the FIA Mobility Division, and Head of the FIA Innovation Fund. Her job involves creating a safer and sustainable transportation ecosystem for the future. She’ll help us understand the state of transportation today and what the future holds for this important area of our lives.

Some Questions I Ask:

When was FIA started? (03:11)
How do drivers look at the FIA? (07:35)
What are today’s biggest challenges in the world of transportation? (21:42)
Do you think that the changes in attitude against shared transportation due to COVID will be reversed after it passes? (25:18)
How do you encourage people to want to drive when they have all these other options? (28:14)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The changes that FIA has experienced over the years (04:36)
The responsibilities of FIA (08:46)
The relationship between FIA, two pillars of sports, and mobility (10:55)
How clubs supported each other during the pandemic (14:21)
How COVID impacted people’s attitude towards transportation (22:07)
The importance of offering a range of modal choices of transport to consumers (29:42)

Connect with Onika Miller:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autonomous Vehicles: Where We Are and The Journey Ahead

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 09:00:36 -0000

Can you imagine waving at a friend while they are seated at the back of a driverless car?

If you are like me, this would definitely trigger many questions. Can it stop if my friend wanted to give me a ride? What if it parks in the wrong place and it’s towed, would it find its way home? Those are just a few questions that we might soon be getting an answer to once autonomous vehicles(AVs) become available to the public.

What technology is needed to make these vehicles a reality? Stick around to learn this and more about AVs.

In the episode, Conor Peick is joined by two guests from Siemens Digital Industries Software - Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation Industries, and Matthieu Worm, Director of Autonomous Vehicles. These are two experts that have closely followed the EVs' and AVs' development journey. They’ll talk to us about the progress that has been made in AV development, the current limitations, and what it’ll take to achieve level five autonomy.

Some Questions I Ask:

Has consumer demand for AVs been affected by the pandemic? (05:47)
What does it take to increase the level of automation in vehicles? (11:26)
What do you see as the technical limitations to making AVs a reality? (16:50)
How do you see AV regulations evolving in the coming years and what role can the AV industry play in the creation of those regulations? (30:38)
What do you see, at least initially is the most plausible scenario for deploying autonomous vehicles at scale? (36:14)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The impact of the pandemic on the automotive manufacturing industry (01:15)
How the three key parts - sense, think and act - make AV possible (03:04)
The different levels of autonomy (08:36)
How to achieve continuous integration and continuous deployment in the vehicle development process (14:26)
What is driving partnerships in AV development (21:28)
The issues that AVs can help solve (38:39)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Matthieu Worm:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising Climate Change Awareness Through Motor Racing with Catie Munnings, Andretti United Extreme E Racing Driver - Part 2

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 09:00:19 -0000

Racing is largely seen as an adrenaline-driven sport for only the most competitive risk-takers. If you’ve ever been in a race car or near a race track during a race, you would agree with that. The speeds are phenomenal. Now, transfer that competitiveness, combine different racing disciplines, make all teams co-ed, introduce unique offload electric vehicles, create race tracks in some of the most extreme parts of the world and you have Extreme E racing! This is a racing competition that raises awareness of climate change and the need for sustainable living.

In this episode, part 2 of 2 episodes that are part of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Catie Munnings, a British rally driver currently participating in the Extreme E racing series for the Andretti United team. Today we’ll learn about the impact that Extreme E is having on the automotive industry and the manufacturers that are currently involved. We’ll also discuss the role that female drivers play in inspiring young girls and women to join the racing world.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are some of the big names involved in Extreme E racing? (2:58)
Is Prince William a good driver? (4:08)
What impact is Extreme E having on the automotive industry? (9:35)
Is there a difference in how male and female drivers approach racing (14:59)
Where do you see yourself in the future? (26:56)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Who are Extreme E’s target audience (5:51)
The car manufacturers involved in Extreme E (7:32)
The importance of using energy from clean sources (12:56)
Why it’s important to get more women involved in motorsport (21:38)
How female racing drivers inspire young girls and women to join the sport (25:37)

Connect with Catie Munnings:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Relationship Between Accelerated Digital Transformation and Accelerated Product Development with Nand Kochhar

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 09:00:59 -0000

Automotive companies have to do more, with less, at a higher speed!

The demands from the statement above would have been received with suspicion just a few years back. But not today. It describes exactly what is expected for companies in the automotive industry, just to remain competitive. With the help of digitalization, some of them are successfully meeting all the expectations set out above.

In this episode, Conor Peick is joined by Nand Kochhar, the VP of Automotive and Transportation at Siemens Digital Industries Software. Today you’ll learn why companies need accelerated product development and the challenges they face in their quest to achieve it. You’ll also understand the need for an increased pace of innovation and the impact it has on the market share. We’ll also look at how companies can approach their journey to digital transformation.

Some Questions Asked:

Why is the speed of innovation critical to automotive companies? (05:35)
What are the challenges faced by companies looking to accelerate their pace of innovation? (08:18)
What are the challenges that OEMs can expect to face as they move towards the future of transportation? (15:38)
What is the relationship between reduced wastage and accelerated product development? (24:02)
What are the things that automotive companies should start doing? (27:24)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

How companies can harness digitalization to do more with less (01:48)
Key elements for accelerating the pace of innovation (09:52)
How cross-attribute optimization helps in accelerated product development (13:41)
How to resolve the challenge of complexity (18:06)
Strategies to accelerate product development (19:27)
Barriers to achieving digital transformation in the automotive industry (26:01)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising Climate Change Awareness through Motor Racing with Catie Munnings, Andretti United Extreme E Racing Driver

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 09:00:17 -0000

A few years back it could have been hard to think of racing alongside environmental sustainability! This is a sport that we mostly associate with the ‘Vroom!’ sound, extreme speeds, handbrake turns, drifting, among others. But times have changed. We now recognize that the climate change problem won’t be wished away. It’ll require efforts from all corners to raise awareness, develop cleaner energy solutions, and promote sustainable living. While the journey ahead is still very long, some significant steps are being made in promoting environmental conservation and reducing carbon emissions in the motor vehicle industry. We now have more electric cars on the roads than ever before and a lot of investments are being directed towards designing vehicles with lower carbon emissions.

In this episode, part 1 of 2 episodes that are part of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Catie Munnings, a British rally driver currently participating in the Extreme E racing series for the Andretti United team. Today we’ll learn about how Extreme E in partnership with Count Us In is raising awareness about climate change by racing in some of the most extreme locations in the world. We’ll understand what this unique competition involves, the locations they’ve competed in, and the impact they’ve had so far.

Some Questions I Ask:

What is Extreme E racing and what are its goals? (1:43)
Is Extreme E having an impact on the general audience? (9:19)
How does racing in extreme locations work? (15:37)
How do you prepare to travel for the races in extreme locations? (20:10)
What is it like to be a TV show host? (35:20)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How Extreme E combined environmental awareness and racing (6:35)
How Count Us In raises funds to protect the environment (10:11)
How Extreme E champions gender diversity in its races (11:04)
What is a handbrake turn (25:32)
What Katie’s amazing machines TV show involves (31:55)
How a rally driver prepares for a race (36:14)

Connect with Catie Munnings:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Electrification Now & Later

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 09:00:29 -0000

In the recent past, vehicles have become more integrated with software with the aim of improving the user experience, boosting performance, and/or making them eco-friendly. To complete this integration many changes have been made to the design of the vehicles, the manufacturers’ business model, and the workforce employed by the automotive companies. This trend will continue as innovators seek to deliver vehicles that are more software-reliant than ever before.

In the final part of our podcast series, we wrap up our discussion on the future of automotive E/E architectures, E/E systems development, and the automotive industry. We talk about the growing role of software in delivering vehicle functionality, and how this change may affect vehicle development as a whole.

Joining me once again are Doug Burcicki – the Global Director of the Automotive & Transportation Heavy Equipment Industries, within Integrated Electrical Systems, part of the Siemens Digital Industries Software – and Dan Scott, the Marketing Director within Integrated Electrical Systems.

Tune in, to learn more about the drivers of change in the automotive landscape.

In this episode, you will learn:

What a software-defined vehicle is. (00:57)
Why traditional OEMs are averse to putting giveaway content in a vehicle. (04:37)
The importance of over-the-air updates capabilities. (06:32)
The different business models that a software-defined vehicle brings. (08:33)
The software’s impact on the physical structure of the vehicle. (10:21)
The challenges imposed by the growing role of software in a vehicle & How the future will look like. (12:36)
The legislative drivers of vehicle development. (15:37)
How the pace of development is going to change over the next 10 years. (18:40)
How the trend of software-defined vehicles impacts the engineering teams. (25:26)

Let’s connect!

Connect with Doug:

Connect with Dan:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Systems Tomorrow: Software & Automotive

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 09:00:12 -0000

The automotive industry landscape has changed drastically in the last few years and the players have changed their approach too. An industry that was largely comfortable with the status quo has now adjusted to meet the current complex needs profitably by leveraging advances in technology. Companies are now putting more emphasis on versatility, specialization, and innovation so as to add the most value to their products compared to their competitors.

Over the last three episodes, we’ve examined all the major trends affecting automotive E/E systems development. Today, we pivot that discussion to begin talking about what the future is going to look like, how E/E architectures and vehicles are going to evolve, what new challenges will the vehicles of tomorrow introduce, and how will companies transform to meet these new challenges.

Tune in, to learn more about the future landscape of the automotive industry.

In this episode, you will learn:

How the employee landscape changes. (00:57)
What organizations focus on post-COVID. (05:47)
The role played by corporate culture in the adoption of tools. (08:24)
The expectations of the younger generation around the workplace environment. (10:25)
The future of E/E systems. (13:57)
The different business models OEMs can approach. (17:23)
How the new trends in the automotive industry affect the E/E architecture and the development of E/E systems. (23:54)
The reasons why virtual simulation validation is a rapidly growing area. (29:41)
Why dealerships will be obsolete in the future. (32:49)

Let’s connect!

Connect with Doug:

Connect with Dan:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Systems Today: Product Development Changes

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Aligning the manufacturers’ efforts with the consumers’ needs saves time and helps in creating great products. This is why car OEMs obsess over what your main focus is going to be when buying a car. Even EV companies, which are relatively new, have to first take into consideration the needs of the consumers and then innovate around them. The different needs and preferences of customers make the process of creating viable car designs very complex.

In our last episode, Doug, Dan, and I talked about the overall industry trends that are affecting automotive development engineering, and today, in our third episode of this series, we dive deep into actual product development and what’s driving change in that arena. You are going to hear why EVs are becoming more attractive to the customers, why OEMs focus on developing advanced vehicles, and the role E/E systems and architecture play in the new, more complex world of the automotive industry.

Doug Burcicki is the Global Director of the Automotive & Transportation Heavy Equipment Industries, within Integrated Electrical Systems, part of the Siemens Digital Industries Software.

Dan Scott is the Marketing Director within Integrated Electrical Systems and has previously worked in the automotive industry for 15 years, in a variety of different roles, from Chief Engineer to Sales, to Project Management, working for a variety of suppliers, tier ones, and OEMs.

Tune in to learn how companies change their product development priorities and methodologies to adapt to the current and future market demand.

In this episode, you will learn:

The current key drivers of innovation in vehicle development. (01:00)
The complexities OEMs have to face to cater to all types of consumers. (02:29)
How companies determine what to invest in. (05:56)
What startups in the automotive industry focus on, at the moment. (08:15)
Why E/E systems and architecture are becoming more and more important. (11:24)
The elements that make EVs more attractive to consumers. (14:11)
The impact EVs have on the environment. (14:50)
How Tesla is pushing the automotive industry forward. (16:56)
The importance of over-the-air updates for today’s product development world. (20:21)
How product traceability changes with the increasing complexity in the automotive industry. (26:03)

Let’s connect!

Connect with Doug:

Connect with Dan:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Automotive Landscape and Business Drivers – Part 2

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 09:00:01 -0000

The pandemic has rocked almost all industries to their core and revealed weaknesses that most businesses never knew they had. After the initial shock, many businesses were exposed to opportunities that might have seemed out of reach in the past. In fact, after this pandemic, most companies will be completely transformed in terms of how they develop their products and what they’ll prioritize moving forward.

In our last episode, Doug, Dan, and I talked about some of the large scale trends currently affecting the automotive industry, and today we continue that discussion with a focus on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on the auto industry, as well as the steps car manufacturers can take to respond to the challenges imposed by it.

We also touch on the importance of building a comprehensive digital twin during vehicle development, and fostering partnerships that provide key advantages for companies as they develop the advanced vehicles of tomorrow – whether they are gas or electric, autonomous or human-driven.

Doug Burcicki is the Global Director of the Automotive & Transportation Heavy Equipment Industries, within Integrated Electrical Systems, part of the Siemens Digital Industries Software.

Tune in to learn what companies are currently focusing on as they navigate through the midst of the pandemic and the challenges this new landscape brings.

In this episode, you will learn:

The communication challenges companies face, as they are transitioning to remote working. (01:38)
How manufacturers adapt to meeting the new workplace requirements, as well as the product level requirements. (04:48)
What the OEMs are doing to come out stronger from this pandemic. (05:47)
The shift from using homegrown tools to acquiring them from third-party vendors. (07:12)
How business models are changing to adapt to the new norms. (09:47)
The importance of leveraging and repurposing data by using the digital twin. (11:04)
Why partnerships are becoming a critical step to success. (15:57)
The benefits of working with companies such as Siemens. (19:58)

Let’s connect!

Connect with Doug:

Connect with Dan:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Automotive Landscape and Business Drivers

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 09:00:58 -0000

The automotive industry is in the middle of a major shift. The electrical, electronic, and software content of vehicles continues to grow, both incentivizing and necessitating new organizational structures and business models. At the same time, the level of competition is increasing as startups, tech companies, and traditional OEMs all vie to bring innovative vehicles to market.

Today, we bring you a brand new series of podcasts from Siemens Integrated Electrical Systems Group, where we’ll be taking a new angle on automotive industry trends, specifically focusing on the electrical and electronic systems, networks, and software.

I am your host, Conor Peick, and I am joined by a duo of experts with impressive resumes and decades of industry experience - Doug Burcicki and Dan Scott. Together, in this first episode, we discuss major changes in the automotive industry over the past 10 years, the challenges OEMs face today, and what the future looks like.

Doug Burcicki is the Global Director of the Automotive & Transportation Heavy Equipment Industries, within Integrated Electrical Systems, part of the Siemens Digital Industries Software.

Dan Scott is the Marketing Director within Integrated Electrical Systems and has previously worked in the automotive industry for 15 years in a variety of different roles, from Chief Engineer to Sales, to Project Management, working for a variety of suppliers, tier ones, and OEMs.

Tune in to find out more about industry trends and the drivers of innovation that will bring the automotive landscape to new heights!

In this episode, you will learn:

The state of the industry today, and the drivers of innovation. (01:17)
The holy grail of the auto industry today and why we’re years away from it. (03:48)
How traditional OEMs have to adapt to the current market. (04:32)
The changes that have occurred in the past 10 years. (06:23)
The different types of complexity that are challenging OEMs today. (09:50)
The role integration plays in today’s automotive company structure. (11:44)
How the next 10 years will look like, in the automotive industry. (14:10)
How the EVs were viewed in the past and what the future holds for them. (16:58)
What a company needs to focus on, to be successful in this industry. (21:28)

Let’s connect!

Connect with Doug:

Connect with Dan:

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The Endless Possibilities of STEM education with Beth Paretta of Paretta Autosport | Pt. 2

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:00:26 -0000

There are certain moments in history that everyone remembers. There are events that changed our perspective of the planet, like the first moon landing. Others that changed the way we live, like the tech revolution. And others that changed our perspectives about what was achievable, like the first majority female racing team to qualify for the notoriously competitive, male-driven Indy 500 motorsports race.

In this segment of our Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon continues the conversation with Beth Paretta of Paretta Autosport. Not only has the team she put together helped demonstrate that barriers can be broken, but it’s also shown other women that careers in motorsports and other STEM fields hold plenty of promising opportunities.

In today’s episode, we dig deeper into the logistics of putting a talented team together in a short period of time, and we discuss the challenges of turning people with other day jobs into a quick on their feet team of racing technicians, strategists, and crew members. We also talk about how her team was received in this long male-dominated industry, and how she's helping to encourage more women to think about careers in STEM.

Some Questions I Ask:

What does your hashtag, #drivenbywomen, stand for? (2:15)
Has the motorsports community been 100% supportive? (10:05)
How does your team promote STEM education for women? (15:38)
What would you do differently for the next race? (23:29)
When can we catch another race with your team? (25:56)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The reason car companies have racing programs (3:47)
Why motorsports, in particular, holds unique opportunities for women (7:48)
The tweet that proved fans were behind the Paretta team (12:28)
Why STEM should be investing more in kids (17:08)
The ripple effect of having more women in racing (21:50)

Connect with Beth Paretta:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Driving a Historic Race into the Future with Beth Paretta of Paretta Autosport | Pt. 1

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0000

The Indy 500 is a race steeped in history. It’s 110 years old and keeps rising in popularity, particularly among women. And many of these women aren’t just in the stands, they’re down on the track taking center stage in the action. For them, the race isn’t just a part of history. It’s a place where history is made.

In this segment of our Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Beth Paretta, owner of Paretta Autosport. As the first majority women's team to ever participate in the Indianapolis 500, they’re making history while inspiring more and more women to explore careers in STEM by showing them what’s possible.

In today’s episode, part 1 of a two part talk, you’ll hear why this race is so historically important, and how Beth Paretta was inspired to build her predominantly female team. She takes us on a deep dive to understand racing as a business, and explains why the marketing aspect of the sport has to be relied upon so heavily. You’ll also hear what it’s like to be in the pit at the Indy 500, and an interesting story about her rocky, but impression-making, first meeting with the legendary Roger Penske.

Some Questions I Ask:

What's so difficult about making all those left turns in the Indy 500? (2:38)
What are the top challenges when building an Indy 500 team? (10:08)
How did you train your over the wall team in such a short period of time? (21:08)
What did that feel like those 75 minutes of riding the bubble? (33:11)
How did that first meeting with Roger Penske go? (42:45)
What car designer do you admire? (57:40)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What it’s like in Indianapolis leading up to the Indy 500 (4:19)
The differences between cars racing in Formula One, Indy 500 and NASCAR (8:39)
The definition of a Factory Driver (15:53)
A day in the life of working in the pit at the Indy 500 (25:01)
Transforming a hobby into a career (39:00)
Standing out by holding your ground (51:48)

Connect with Beth Paretta:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Educating the Automotive Industry Workforce of the Future with Elaina Farnsworth

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0000

As we enter the future of transportation, we’re becoming part of a world where convenience rules the day. We no longer need keys to start engines, we can voice command our way through making phone calls, selecting music to drive to, take out orders for dinner, and directions from A to B.

On the other side of all of this convenience are the people who keep it running. Maintaining technological complex systems is where the crossover between engineers and technicians takes place. The problem is that combining those skill sets is uncharted territory, particularly when it comes to education. This new technology frontier calls for a revamped system of training in order to prepare the next generation of hybrid “automotive technicians” slash “software gurus” for the workforce.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon welcomes Elaina Farnsworth, CEO of The NEXT Education. As a speaker, writer, and industry influencer, she’s been instrumental in shaping the conversation around workforce education. Her organization provides certification for the workforce of the future, encompassing all skilled tradespeople within Autonomous, Industrial Mobility, Cyber Security and Smart City technologies.

This week, we’re discussing the importance of adapting the existing education system when it comes to the complex needs of the automotive industry. You’ll learn how automation is shaping the autonomous future, and how the need for upskilling and reskilling tradespeople helped bring The NEXT Education programs to life. We’ll also talk about the growing opportunities within the automotive industry, and we’ll define exactly where we’re at and where we’re headed on our autonomous journey.

Some Questions I Ask:

How did the idea for The NEXT Education come about? (4:58)
What kind of rules do you have to break to become a “Rule Breaker” award winner? (12:45)
What kind of information is a connected car with a human driver in it getting from a traffic light or from infrastructure that would make my trip better? (21:19)
What could someone like a tele-operator make per year once they have the certificate? (44:54)
Can you tell us about the Top 100 Women in Cyber and Mobility program? (50:55)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why it’s important for women to have awareness of the opportunities within tech (3:55)
The difference between certification and credentialing programs and four-year degrees (10:08)
Breaking down the meanings behind the autonomous acronyms (16:18)
The role of The NEXT Education in the autonomous revolution (26:08)
Where experience meets education (34:22)
The disappearing stigma of trade school education (46:17)

Connect With Elaina Farnsworth:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Easing the Process of Product Verification and Validation with Digitalization

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 09:00:38 -0000

Imagine working really hard over several months to design a product, only to find out when you get to the verification phase that it suddenly doesn’t pass the necessary requirements to get to market. This causes a lot of headaches and costs a lot of time. But what if there was some way to know that you’re ticking all of the boxes necessary to ensure product validation as you go?

Well, the good news is we’re there, technologically speaking. Digitalization is helping companies leverage information throughout the design process to make sure product verification and validation requirements are being met. Not only does it allow companies to maximize efficiency, but it helps them deliver higher quality products from the start.

Nand Kochhar, Vice President of Automotive and Transportation for Siemens Software, joins us again today as we explore product validation. He’ll explain how virtual verification and validation through digitalization is helping companies collect and combine the right information, saving time on the journey towards final integration and validation.

In this episode, you’ll hear how continuous validation works, a few of the biggest benefits companies gain by integrating it in the workplace, and the role of simulation throughout that process. We’ll also take a peek into the future and hear how product validation is changing with the introduction of new technologies, and how vehicle integration is being considered within the infrastructure of smart cities.

Some Questions I Ask:

What's new about making sure that the final vehicle is meeting the requirements set in the product definition? (1:29)
How does continuous validation work? (3:07)
What are the key requirements that are being validated for software systems? (8:07)
How might verification and validation handle vehicle integrations within existing city infrastructures? (15:38)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

One major benefit of the continuous verification process (3:31)
The role of simulation (4:20)
The elements of a successful final validation phase (11:21)
The most critical aspect of product validation (18:17)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Scott Clemmons:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Back Office to the Driver’s Seat: The transformation of the Automotive CIO with Mamatha Chamarthi

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 09:00:52 -0000

As the technology universe remains in a constant state of flux, the roles we perform begin to shape-shift. As vehicles become more and more reliant on computers and software to operate, information technology (IT) has gone from the back-office to front and center in the car business. Automotive has become a high-technology industry where car companies need to compete with the best from Silicon Valley. These changes continuously redefine the paradigm as software takes on greater significance within the automotive industry and the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) transforms and expands.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon talks to Mamatha Chamarthi, Head of Software, Business, and Product management for Stellantis, where she leads software business and product management. She is an auto industry veteran who’s witnessed the digital revolution firsthand and the transformation of the CIO into a modern Chief Digital Officer or CDO. Having been a part of the pre-digital era of auto manufacturing, she now draws upon her unique experiential and educational background to seamlessly transition into an industry leader for the digital age.

Today, you’ll hear how she developed the skill set that’s made her so successful, what it was like stepping into a role that you have to invent as you go, and how she helped workers overcome their resistance to digitalization. You’ll also get a glimpse into the future of the in-cabin transportation experience, learn what it takes to turn an auto company into a technology company, and hear how more women are being encouraged to get involved in the technology industry with the help of role models like herself. And finally, what does a modern CIO do to relax when not on the job. Learn that and more in the final moments of this episode in our Rapid Fire section.

Some Questions I Ask:

What inspired you to get into the auto business? (5:51)
What was it like working for a car company in the late '90s? (9:21)
What was the transition from CIO to CDO like? (13:50)
How would you summarize the digital transformation of the automobile? (22:50)
How do you transform an automotive company into a technology software company? (33:06)
How are you helping inspire other women to take on similar roles? (40:02)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Where art and science collide in the tech universe (3:29)
How IT has moved from the back office to the driver's seat (10:52)
Expectations from the customer perspective (17:46)
Understanding the resistance to digital transformation (19:12)
What the future experience of transit looks like (25:28)
Using data to understand customer trends (36:13)

Connect With Mamatha Chamarthi:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connected Engineering and the Drive towards Digitalization with Nand Kochhar

Wed, 26 May 2021 09:00:10 -0000

We know that technology has become the great differentiator when it comes to adaptability within industrial manufacturing. As consumer needs change abruptly, design and manufacturing alterations need to happen swiftly and with minimal disruption. The entire chain of production is affected by even the smallest adjustments. Traditional manufacturing methods are no longer enough to keep up. Advanced solutions are required if manufacturers want to stay competitive, and connected engineering holds the key to complex systems development.

Today, Nand Kochhar, Vice President of Automotive and Transportation for Siemens Software, returns to the show. We’ll build on our discussion from the last episode about the five pillars of SSE by diving into connected engineering. Nand will help us understand how this new technology is used in manufacturing and the importance of connectivity as the industry transitions towards electric vehicles.

In this episode, we’ll talk about why digitalization is so important in this shift, and how it serves as a more efficient system for innovation, production, and delivery. You’ll hear how established companies can transition smoothly into connected engineering, and why it can be a simpler process for startups to implement. You’ll also learn how companies are physically and digitally transitioning through this technological shift.

Some Questions I Ask:

How is connected engineering different as an interdisciplinary design? (1:29)
What is the biggest hurdle to implementing connected engineering? (3:39)
Has the influx of automotive startups accelerated the need for digitalization? (6:40)
Are there still values to be realized with the development of internal combustion vehicles? (15:27)
How could an OEM use connected engineering to optimize both their Ais vehicles and also developing EV technologies at the same time? (16:58)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why transparency is so important (2:01)
How companies can overcome the hurdles of transitioning technology (5:14)
Why startups have an advantage when implementing new technology (7:18)
Digitalization as a substitute for proximity (10:48)
How manufacturers are transitioning from Ais to EV platforms (18:30)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Scott Clemmons:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cyber security startup Cybellum defends against automotive cyber security attacks.

Wed, 19 May 2021 09:00:02 -0000

The rise of technology has completely changed the way we think about security. Breaking into a building, a car, or a computer system used to require physical action and brute force, but today, that’s no longer the case. Technology has eased the burden of the hacker, and remote access is an everyday occurrence. Today, not only can criminals forego the ‘80s-style ski masks and the convoluted plans; now they don’t even have to leave the house.

Despite the potential threats, we’re still romanced by the possibilities of automated transportation. So, how do we stay safe in a world controlled by remote software? Well, we’re best leaving that job to the experts. And thankfully, highly-trained hands are already on the case.

In this special episode of The Future Car Podcast, we’re talking about cybersecurity. Ed Bernardon interviews Slava Bronfman, the CEO and Co-Founder of Cybellum. His cybersecurity company focuses specifically on automotive product security, identifying potential threats to the software supply chain, and ensuring that the entire network remains impenetrable.

Today, you’ll hear about the unique trajectory of a cyber start-up founder, and how his time spent in the Israeli Defense Forces prepared him especially well for a career in software defense. We’ll discuss the rise of cyber vulnerabilities as cars and transportation become more complex, and how his team manages threats from a defense perspective. You’ll also gain an understanding of the layers involved in securing a vehicle software system, and how the security industry stays one step ahead of hackers in order to keep drivers safe.

Some Questions I Ask:

What's it like to work for the Israeli Defense Forces? (3:32)
How did your experience in the defense forces help prepare you for a cybersecurity startup? (11:02)
What's the benefit of having your vehicle connected? (25:28)
What needs to be improved in order to help increase cybersecurity? (32:42)
Is the WP 29 regulation helping to standardize security regulations? (37:05)
Are people ever going to accept autonomous vehicles and feel comfortable driving in one? (47:58)
How do you stay ahead of the hackers? (59:08)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The difference between offense and defense in the world of cybersecurity (6:26)
How Cybellum was born (15:24)
A typical auto-related cybercrime (17:52)
Understanding the layers of cybersecurity (29:16)
The challenges of trying to keep systems secure (45:12)
How Cybellum uses the digital twin (50:47)
Why consumers should feel optimistic about vehicle security (1:01:50)

Connect With Slava Bronfman:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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How Product Definition is Helping Manufacturers Adapt and Stay Competitive with Nand Kochhar

Wed, 12 May 2021 07:00:13 -0000

When we look at where manufacturing is today, it’s clear that technology is maturing rapidly. Degrees of complexity continue to increase, which means that planning, communication, and collaboration at every phase of development and production are critical. If companies want to keep a competitive edge, their software needs to match those ambitions.

Software and Systems Engineering is how companies achieve that goal, and it begins with a well-structured, disciplined approach to problems and the willingness to keep innovating. By adopting a clear Product Definition, teams are able to manage these growing complexities and take advantage of the collaborative benefits of digitalization.

Today, I’m welcoming Nand Kochhar back to the show. He’s Vice President of Automotive and Transportation for Siemens Software, and an expert when it comes to explaining how companies can use this new technology to gain an edge on the competition, and simultaneously ease pressure on engineering teams as technological complexities continue to increase.

In this episode, we’re focusing on Product Definition and why it's so important in Software and Systems Engineering. We’ll cover all of the ways it helps teams manage ever-increasing design complexities, and why digitalization is a necessity in today’s competitive market. We’ll also talk about the overall benefits to engineers using the MBSE approach, and how it helps manage elaborately detailed design processes.

Some Questions I Ask:

What exactly is a Product Definition? (1:25)
How can Product Definition help teams manage increased design complexities? (4:53)
What are some strategies that companies can use to define this design space? (6:33)
How does digitalization allow for collaboration? (11:28)
What happens if one of the Product Definition requirements changes? (17:17)
How do you see the MBSE approach helping engineers and engineering departments handle the complexity of new vehicle designs? (20:38)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The five pillars of SSE (0:48)
A practical example of Product Definition (2:48)
The number one challenge for automotive OEMs (8:01)
Why digitalization is a necessity (10:04)
One key advantage of collaboration between suppliers and OEMs (16:09)
Why adaptability is critical (19:36)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Scott Clemmons:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2: How Virtual Reality is Making Mobility Accessible for Everyone with Sofia Lewandowski

Wed, 05 May 2021 09:00:13 -0000

As we continue to steer towards a more mobility-inclusive future, there’s a restructuring that needs to take place. This goes for our perceptions of what is possible in terms of automated transportation, and how we make sure that this technology wave is being executed in terms of production. You might say it’s a restructuring from the factory floor up.

Artificial Intelligence is entering our workspace in subtle ways already, but the future is proving bright for AI in more direct operations too. It’s being used as a training tool for machine operators, and it’s providing valuable information that operators, designers, and managers can use to change how we do things, improving training access and efficiency along the way.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon continues his conversation with Sofia Lewandowski. As a Senior UX Researcher, IoT & Industry 4.0 at FactoryPal, her work happens directly on the factory floor where she can help shape both the design and assembly process. The virtual environment she’s created has paved the way for accessible mobility for the masses.

In this follow-up episode, we’ll learn the different mindset around creating vehicles versus establishing the groundwork for building better, more accessible vehicles. She’ll share what she’s learned from working remotely during the pandemic, and how it may be shifting the future of how we work. You’ll also hear her perspective on women working in the software and automotive industries.

Some Questions I Ask:

What kinds of machines are you working with on the factory floor? (1:51)
How is AI used in this application? (2:45)
What’s different about the goals working at HFM versus FactoryPal? (7:21)
How do you think people feel about artificial intelligence? (10:23)
How do you think the role of women compares in the automotive and software industries? (22:13)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How FactoryPal is helping machine operators (0:44)
Training through experience versus AI (4:51)
Where the fear around AI comes from (13:09)
How the pandemic has shaped the future of work (18:45)
How AV’s might help impatient drivers (24:38)

Connect With Sofia Lewandowski:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meeting the Challenges of Design Complexity in the Automotive Industry with Nand Kochhar

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 09:00:44 -0000

The layers of complexity in the automotive industry continue to increase as consumers demand more sustainable and fuel-efficient vehicles. Along with those demands, the changing government regulations also pose additional challenges that the industry must find new and innovative ways of meeting.

These multifaceted needs are being met through the adoption of systems engineering, and the continued introduction of electrical and software systems throughout the automotive industry.

My guest today is Nand Kochhar, Vice President of Automotive and Transportation for Siemens Software. He understands first hand the challenges being faced by the industry today, how Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) plays a role, and solutions being developed to make these complex problems much easier to solve.

In this episode, we’ll talk about how the industry has evolved in terms of software and systems engineering, and how real customers are meeting the challenges of a more complex design process. We’ll also discuss the importance of interconnectivity, and how the digital twin makes that process easier for companies by embracing digital solutions.

Some Questions I Ask:

How does the software and systems engineering of today compare to the early days of the automotive efforts in this space? (3:50)
How does software and systems engineering apply to electrification? (7:59)
How do you see the role of model-based systems engineering and the approach with software and systems engineering changing over the next decade? (10:21)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How electronics and software development have changed how automakers develop vehicles (00:27)
How the industry is adapting to increased complexity (2:17)
Where the system of systems concept comes into play (5:42)
The various considerations of electric versus gasoline in the manufacturing process (10:49)
How a Model Based Systems Engineering approach supports product development (11:54)
How one company is succeeding in developing more complex vehicle design (12:56)

Connect with Nand Kochhar:

Connect with Conor Peick:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Virtual Reality is Making Mobility Accessible for Everyone with Sofia Lewandowski

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 09:00:25 -0000

The promise of technology is to make life easier for everyone. In order to achieve that, designers have to understand the full range of the audience they’re designing for. Nowhere is that more challenging than when trying to understand the diversity of mental and physical disabilities that prevent people from accessing independent mobility.

Traditional design methods can’t possibly take into account the individual challenges that represent this segment of the population. In order to understand the needs of people with disabilities, we have to think outside of the box. Designers have to consider a wide range of options for operations like lifting a handle, opening a door, starting an engine, and safely operating a vehicle.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Sofia Lewandowski. She’s a Senior UX Researcher, IoT & Industry 4.0 at FactoryPal, where she works directly on the factory floor to help design and create vehicles that work for everyone. Rather than assuming an understanding of the unique needs of the disabled, Lewandowski created a virtual environment that enabled people with a wide range of disabilities to be a part of the design process.

Today, we’ll talk about how she came up with the idea of combining virtual reality and autonomy, and how the consumers it benefits are instrumental in making these designs function for everyone. You’ll also hear about the use cases where the virtual design process has been successful on the ground.

Some Questions I Ask:

What inspired you to help people with disabilities gain better access to mobility using autonomous vehicles? (3:20)
When did you recognize that virtual reality could play a part in designing and helping autonomous vehicles help people with disabilities? (5:07)
What was your role at HFM in the design process? (11:56)
How do you understand what’s needed when designing vehicle interiors? (16:40)
How close does virtual reality actually get to what you ultimately create in hardware? (23:39)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why the traditional design process doesn’t account for the needs of people with disabilities (5:50)
How the modular vehicle platform widened the realm of accessibility (9:22)
Use cases that helped seniors with limited mobility get from A to B, and helped students stay connected when getting around on campus (14:11)
How virtual reality is used to design for the disabled (20:10)

Connect With Sofia Lewandowski:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transportation Revolution: Autonomous Vehicle Development - Part 2

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 09:00:53 -0000

As the pace of autonomous technology brings us ever closer to a new era of transportation, the future is closer than we think. Every level of preparation and adaptation related to getting autonomous vehicles road-ready must be mapped out. This includes safety vetting through high-level testing and certification processes, a better understanding of autonomous technology on behalf of consumers, and updates to regulation and legislation.

Once again I’m joined by Nand Kochhar, the Vice President of Automotive and Transportation Industry at Siemens Digital Industries Software. With his industry expertise, he’ll provide deeper insight on the various levels of autonomy, their definitions, and where we’re currently at on the autonomy spectrum with today’s technology.

In this episode, we’ll also discuss AV verification, testing, validation, and how confidence in this new technology is created among consumers and companies. You’ll learn the four primary ways companies are pushing the boundaries of AV development in order to move the technology forward, and where that intersects with regulations and legislation. You’ll also get a sneak peek of how autonomy might alter the urban experience as we get closer to the future of autonomous vehicle utilization.

Some Questions I Ask:

How can passengers and companies be confident that vehicles are able to perform safely and comfortably? (5:51)
Is the amount of physical and virtual testing happening at the same level? (9:23)
What are the effects of new regulations on the future of vehicle validation and certification? (11:53)
What’s the impetus behind the partnerships that have formed among industry competitors? (21:40)
What are the values and challenges of remote monitoring? (34:36)
How are business challenges accelerating or holding back emerging trends of autonomy? (40:05)
How critical are autonomous vehicles to the mobility-as-a-service concept? (44:14)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

The five levels of vehicle autonomy and how they’re defined (1:08)
Understanding the vehicle components and how they relate to one another (13:46)
The physics based simulation model (17:42)
How we can push the boundaries of autonomy and continue to develop the technology (29:19)
How society as a whole can prepare for an autonomous future (32:31)
Securing the autonomous framework (36:20)
How AV’s navigate cities (41:32)

Let’s Connect!

Connect With Nand Kochhar:

LinkedIn
Email: nand.kochhar@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building a More Accessible Transportation Future

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 09:00:58 -0000

Mobility is something we rely on every day. Whether it’s the capability of our own two feet, our access to public transportation, or our physical and mental ability to operate a vehicle, mobility allows us freedom and independence.

But, it’s something many of us probably take for granted. The usual methods don’t actually work for everyone. As we leap into the next generation of transportation technology, we have a unique opportunity to think differently about design. We can create solutions that allow everyone to get from A to B with ease.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Ann Frye, Director, Ann Frye Ltd and Campbell McKee, President of the European Mobility Group. Frye is an expert and consultant in the area of mobility for people with disabilities, as well as accessibility and transportation. She has worked globally with governments and other transportation organizations to help make transportation available and accessible to everyone. The European Mobility Group is a nonprofit organization that helps adapt existing vehicles so that they can be operated by people with disabilities.

Today, we’ll talk about how these two are working to create a future where people with disabilities, and their passengers, have better access to mobility. They’ll share why universal design is an important step towards leveling accessibility, and why it’s important for designers and engineers to understand the breadth of, and have empathy for, the users of the options and solutions that they create.

Some Questions I Ask:

What variety of things do you have to address for the people you help? (3:45)
How are you accommodating those who are transportation challenged? (6:40)
What are the typical challenges you face when you work with governments or transportation agencies? (8:31)
What opportunities do you see now that we're at the cusp of being able to add autonomy, and the possibility of redesign, to vehicles? (18:48)
What concerns do you have when it comes to autonomous vehicles? (21:30)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The quality that designers must possess in order to create the right mobility options for those with disabilities (0:48)
The specificity of needs that must be met to make transportation possible for everyone (4:58)
Why some people might not initially be comfortable with this level of technology (13:04)
An example of accidentally clever vehicle design that made things more comfortable for everyone (26:25)
Why the test group for new design needs to be diverse (31:46)

Connect With Campbell McKee:

Connect With Ann Frye:

Transportation Associates Network

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Transportation Revolution: Autonomous Vehicle Development - Part 1

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:00:45 -0000

The idea of autonomous vehicles has long been seen as something futuristic. But as we get closer and closer to the development of that technology, we’re realizing that actually deploying it is an equally complex set of challenges.

Today, we’re circling back to Nand Kochhar, the Vice President of Automotive and Transportation Industry here at Siemens Digital Industries Software. He’ll give us an overview of the particular challenges to deploying this level of technology, and the complexity of the systems needed to get to that point.

In this episode, we’ll talk about the specific regulations that exist and those that need to be considered, along with the policy partnerships required to create them. We’ll also hear about the important role digitalization plays for companies weaving together the various disciplines involved in autonomous vehicle development.

Some Questions I Ask:

What will it take to reach true self-driving, fully autonomous vehicles? (1:21)
How do you see shared mobility tying together the multiple ongoing trends in the automotive industry? (5:33)
Are major automakers trying to shift their business models to adapt to these trends? (8:12)
What do companies and automakers need to be doing in order to remain competitive, and to thrive and succeed? (10:28)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

What needs to happen before full level 5 autonomy can be achieved (3:13)
The biggest concern about getting autonomous vehicles on the road (4:17)
Why collaboration with cities is so important (6:07)
How mega-cities are shaping the future of mobility (10:53)
The important role digitalization plays (12:58)

Let’s Connect!

Connect With Nand Kochhar:

LinkedIn
Email: nand.kochhar@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Engineering F1 Racing & Mobility: Hear the role one race car engineer plays

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 10:00:45 -0000

On our last episode, we talked about the high level of innovation that takes place behind the scenes of the F1 racing industry. In order to get these impressive race cars out of the idea phase and onto the track, it takes teamwork. Large numbers of talented racing engineers come together in order to sketch, simulate, build, and race these impressive feats of fast transit.

But there’s a lot more to discover if we dig deeper behind the scenes. In an industry that’s long been male dominated, our series has paid special attention to the women who are changing the face of the motorsport industry, both on and off the track.

In this week’s episode of our Women Driving the Future series, we’re catching up with part 2 of Ed Bernardon’s interview with Composite Design Engineer Elizabeth Apthorp, from the Alpine F1 Team. In this segment, she talks about how engineering leads to actual race car parts, how race cars are specifically designed for the drivers, the diverse perspective that women bring to the motorsports industry, and what Formula 1 race cars might look like in the future.

Hear a F1 engineer’s surprising responses to these questions:

How does the human driver factor into the design element? (0:17)
What do you think is the most exciting part of being a motorsport engineer? (4:47)
What do you think someone should consider a career in racing? (12:49)
What do you think an F1 car is going to look like 15-20 years from now? (18:40)
What's so different about an F1 power plant versus what you have in a commercial car, in terms of fuel efficiency? (24:12)
How do you think being a racing engineer is going to help prepare the engineers of the future for engineering our future of mobility? (27:53)

What You’ll Learn about Race Car Engineering, Diversity & Future Mobility:

How seats are molded to fit the race car driver (3:10)
Elizabeth’s favorite F1 track in the world (6:30)
How diversity benefits a motorsport team (8:15)
Why exposure to the motorsport industry is important for young women (14:17)
How the race industry affects transportation technology (21:54)
Carbon neutrality goals in F1 racing (25:39)

Connect with our Guest Elizabeth Apthorp:

Connect with our Host Ed Bernardon:

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Transportation Revolution: Vehicle Electrification

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 10:00:43 -0000

I’m your host, Conor Peick, Head Marketing Communications Writer at Mentor Graphics. In this episode, I welcome back Nand Kochhar to talk about electric vehicles. Nand is the Vice President at Siemens Automotive and Transportation Industry and offers a unique perspective on the EV field.

We chat about the environmental factors driving the EV revolution, the challenges traditional fueling station infrastructures face, and the concept of customization regarding EVs. Nand and I also explore what the rise of electric vehicles means for the autonomous vehicle field and much more.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the main factors pushing EV innovation? (2:04)
What are the most pressing engineering and design challenges facing EVs? (5:20)
How can the industry make charging stations as ubiquitous as gas stations? (10:48)
Will the availability of EV service infrastructure limit their geographical reach? (18:40)
What are companies doing to address the challenge of end-of-life recycling? (28:30)
What impact does the societal trend toward the electrification of public transport have on EV adoption? (33:57)
What do you see as the relationship between EVs and autonomous vehicles? (36:36)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

The challenges that play into mass customization of EVs (7:10)
How EVs will change the concept of auto upgrades (9:00)
Whether Tesla is the leader of the pack in regards to EV battery technology (21:49)
What other leading automotive companies are doing to catch up to Tesla (24:27)
About the safety concerns involving rapid charging (25:25)
The environmental implications of creating EV batteries (29:54)

Let’s Connect!

Connect With Nand Kochhar:

LinkedIn
Email: nand.kochhar@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transportation Revolution: Introduction

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 13:00:19 -0000

Welcome to the very first episode of this new series of The Future Car Podcast - The Transportation Revolution! I’m your host, Conor Peick, Thought Leadership Writer focusing on automotive and transportation topics. Joining me on the show today is Nand Kochhar, Vice President at Siemens Automotive and Transportation Industry, who shares his perspective on how COVID-19 has affected his workflow from a manufacturing standpoint.

I also ask Nand what tech trends he’s noticed having worked in the industry for such a long time, why infrastructure plays such a key role in the development and logistical efforts of manufacturing electric vehicles, and what digital transformation has meant for his sector at Siemens.

Some Questions I Ask:

Nand, what have been the most significant changes you’ve seen within the automotive and manufacturing industry over the course of your career? (2:03)
How do the disruptions caused by COVID-19 relate to digital transformation & Why do you think you have succeeded to implement it when others have struggled? (4:11)
Do you think it’s easier for smaller companies to adopt new changes to their workflow as opposed to a larger OEM? (6:02)
Do you think partnerships between brands will accelerate the development of autonomous and electric vehicles? (11:23)
How has electrification changed the development process for electric vehicles? (12:59)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

Some background on Nand Kochhar and his experience within the industry (1:07)
The disruptions to the manufacturing industry caused by COVID-19 (3:22)
The benefits to brand partnerships & How they can accelerate the production of new tech (7:14)
Nand’s perspective on the emergence of non-traditional automotive companies (9:27)
The role infrastructure plays in the development of electric vehicles (14:55)
How the need for efficiency is putting pressure on the industry (19:42)

Let’s Connect!

Connect With Nand Kochhar:

LinkedIn
Email: nand.kochhar@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Transportation Revolution

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0000

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Behind the Scenes of Formula One Design with Elizabeth Apthorp, Composite Design Engineer at Alpine F1.

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 11:00:31 -0000

We know that race cars are built to go fast. Materials are carefully selected and the aerodynamics of movement are constant considerations. Seeing these mechanical marvels traveling at furious speeds around the track, it makes you wonder...who builds these things?

Formula 1 design requires constant teamwork and never-ceasing innovation. From concept to race day, there are teams working together in order to get these cars over the finish line. There are professional aerodynamicists and engineers who work behind the scenes every day in order to conceptualize, build, re-conceptualize, and repeat.

In this segment of our Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Elizabeth Apthorp, Composite Design Engineer at Alpine F1 Team in Enstone, England. In part one of a two-episode series, she reveals what goes on behind the scenes of F1 design, the challenges of building sturdy, yet race-worthy, machines, and she discloses a few surprising engineering secrets.

Some Questions I Ask:

How did your experiences lead you to this work? (3:16)
What exactly is a Formula One car and how is it different than a NASCAR or IndyCar? (9:58)
How many people work at Alpine F1 Team? (11:49)
What’s something you’ve designed that you’re really proud of? (20:54)
What surprised you the most about the difficulty in taking a piece of composite material and trying to shape it into what you needed? (28:43)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What inspired her interest in F1 (2:32)
Her engineering mentor in the industry (6:02)
The cost of building a Formula One car (13:10)
Her favorite part of the job (15:34)
The unique properties of carbon fiber (24:25)
A surprising fact about F1 parts (26:25)

Connect with Elizabeth Apthorp:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Impact of COVID-19 On the Automotive Industry

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 10:00:46 -0000

The effects of COVID-19 have bled across so many different sectors within the development and manufacturing industry, and have forced automotive manufacturers to rethink how they design, develop, and produce new vehicles. In particular, automakers have had to find ways to ensure the safety of their employees, their families, and the communities in which they live and work, all while doing their best to continue vehicle development and manufacturing.

I'm your host, Conor Peick, and today, I’m joined by the Vice President of Siemens Automotive and Transportation Industry, Nand Kochhar, to discuss some of the specific impacts the pandemic has had on the automotive industry, and also, the strategies that have helped companies cope.

Nand shares how the adjustment to COVID-19 safe environments and remote work has impacted those within his line of work, how increased collaboration has streamlined processes across their supply chains, and how these workflow shifts will boost resilience for divisions across Siemens and the digital manufacturing field.

To hear more, tune in to today’s episode of the Future Car Podcast, from Siemens Digital Industries Software!

Some Questions I Ask:

What has helped or hindered the challenges companies faced this year & What specific strategies have been innovative? (2:38)
Do you think other departments have had a harder time adjusting to remote work? (5:28)
How is adapting to digitalization going to make customers stronger after the pandemic? (6:41)
Do you foresee a regression to our old ways of doing things before the COVID-19 or will these technological changes stay permanent? (9:18)
What do you think the key steps are to reopening the manufacturing industry? (12:38)
Do you think automation will be pushed into tasks that haven’t traditionally used it? (18:43)
Do you see an opportunity in terms of future-proofing supply chains? (20:35)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

The challenges COVID-19 has brought upon the automotive and transportation industry (1:16)
How Siemens has utilized digitalization during the pandemic (4:38)
The role digitalization plays in the longevity of the automotive industry (9:46)
New and emerging technologies that automotive companies are working on in order to build resilience (16:52)
How digitalization has made a difference in terms of company success, ability, and survival (22:13)
The lessons auto suppliers have learned and applied today from the 2007 economic recession (23:33)
The importance of collaboration throughout multiple supply chains (26:03)

Connect with Conor Peick:

Connect With Nand Kochhar:

LinkedIn
Email: nand.kochhar@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katherine Sheriff: Pioneering the Legal Framework of AI

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 11:00:50 -0000

As AI becomes more advanced, we’ll continue to see it more frequently in our everyday lives. Nowhere is that more clear, or complicated, than on our roads. The roads of the future are going to be different, and AI technology will have to fit into a legal system that we’ve created specifically for the humans behind the wheels.

The legal framework for AI is shaped by our early experiences with the technology, but it also has to depend heavily on simulations. It’s about contemplating every possible what-if scenario and preparing for it so that safety remains paramount. With that in mind, the legal questions start to roll in. Who bears responsibility for traffic violations or accidents involving automated vehicles? How do we reap the benefits of AI responsibly while minimizing the risks?

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Katherine Sheriff. Katherine is an Associate at Davis Wright Tremaine, and she’s long been a pioneer in the area of AI law. When she was on the show two years ago, AI in transportation was a far-away dream. Today, that’s changed so much that even university courses have been shaped around this rapidly growing field.

Today, we’ll talk about the evolution of AI law in recent years, the need to educate consumers about autonomous vehicles and terminology, and the increasing complexity of the legal system as AI continues to grow.

Some Questions I Ask:

Why is AI Law so important? (5:22)
What have been the biggest changes over the past couple of years? (8:39)
Is AI legally considered a “person”? (24:51)
What are the easy rules that apply to autonomous vehicles and AI? (44:14)
How do you know what, and the level of aggressiveness, to program into AI? (50:53)
Can AI really be considered a person? (53:28)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What inspired Katherine to pursue a career in mobility (3:21)
Where AI law is entering universities (12:18)
Safety considerations for AI (16:37)
Legal AI framework 101 (20:11)
The importance of consumer education (35:25)
The intersection of law and legal philosophy (42:05)

Connect With Katherine Sheriff:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the Scenes: How Policy Shapes the Future of Transportation with Sharon Masterson

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Twenty years from now, what will ordering your morning coffee look like? How many transportation options will you have to get from your apartment in the city to your favorite park on the outskirts, 15 miles away? Will electric bicycle density be more common than vehicle traffic? Will your city air feel cleaner when you take that deep, satisfying inhale after your evening run?

Before we can achieve cleaner, micro-mobile, human-friendly cities of the future, there are gatekeepers operating behind the scenes who have to set the stage for these changes. Policymakers hold the key to the future cities we like to daydream about. In our connected world, we need global decision-makers to work together in order to accommodate the growing needs of humans.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Sharon Masterson, head of the Corporate Partnership Board of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). She works behind the scenes with other global policymakers, influencing the high-level discussions that precede transportation policy.

Today, we’ll talk about how the international policy works to shape our cities, how it influences the future of transportation and micro-mobility, and how so many different countries with varying needs open up dialogue and work together to create policy.

Some Questions I Ask:

What is the OECD, and what is their role in transportation? (3:02)
How do you go from the airline industry to managing a global board? (12:21)
What are some of the key things you learned from the airline industry and with startups that help you do your job now? (14:32)
Can you name a few women who are “driving the future” today? (23:58)
What is micro-mobility, and what are the different components of it? (29:28)
How do you figure out how to allocate space for different types of transport? (32:25)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Past and current projects of the OECD (4:23)
How different countries with different needs work together (8:02)
The differences in how men and women use transport (15:52)
Examples of careers in the transport sector (17:49)
How COVID is already affecting the future of transportation (27:16)
How to make transportation more equitable (40:24)

Connect With Sharon Masterson:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susie Wolff, A Driving Force for Sustainability & Diversity, Team Principal ROKiT Venturi Racing

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 11:00:45 -0000

If you grew up around the smell of gasoline and spent your childhood with the roar of engines in the background, it would seem obvious that you might dream about a career in racing. But for young girls, it wasn’t always an easy path. It would take a strong and unbreakable sense of determination to keep the dream alive.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Susie Wolff, Team Principal for ROKiT Venturi Racing. A racing phenom since the age of 8, she earned her place in racing history as the first female driver in 22 years to participate at Formula One Race Weekend at the 2014 British Grand Prix.

Since retiring in 2015, she has successfully directed her focus towards programs like Girls on Track and Dare to Be Different to encourage more young women to consider careers in the industry. Currently, she serves as Team Principal for ROKiT Venturi Racing.

Today, we’ll talk about her early racing aspirations, her history-making life on the track, and how she’s paying it forward for young women everywhere. We’ll also learn about the diverse team she’s building at Venturi, and the ways in which the racing world is adapting in the global push towards sustainability.

Some Questions I Ask:

What is it about Scotland that so many great race drivers come from there? (8:49)
How did you get that first sponsor you needed to make sure you could keep your career going? (12:02)
What was the biggest surprise you learned from driving a Formula One car that the simulator didn't teach you? (20:19)
How do you see the role of racing with this shift towards a more sustainable world of transportation? (35:01)
What do you think about autonomous car racing? (39:27)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How Susie’s mother influenced her “can-do” attitude (4:24)
The significance of the pink car she drove for Mercedes Benz (14:38)
The job of a Team Principal (22:23)
How her personal quest for diversity has shaped her team at Venturi (26:06)
Why she was initially cynical about converting to an electric car (36:32)
What she does for fun when she’s not working (48:42)

Connect With Susie Wolff:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connecting the World with Byte-sized Satellites with Sara Spangelo, CEO SWARM

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:00:35 -0000

Close your eyes and imagine you’re holding a grilled cheese sandwich. Better yet, make one. Now, holding this crispy, gooey sandwich in your hands, would it surprise you to know that a device this small is capable of connecting the world?

When we picture a satellite orbiting the Earth, we tend to imagine huge, complex machines. But the next generation of satellite technology has arrived, and it’s quite literally the size of that sandwich in your hands.

These tiny satellites have great potential for the world at large. Their size and affordability mean they’re accessible to more people across the globe, and that they are able to reach where bigger, more robust satellites cannot. Forty-five of these satellites are already orbiting the planet, and the significance of that for farmers in remote regions, truck drivers on the road, water preservation, and the monitoring of the Earth’s magnetic field, is huge.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Sara Spangelo, the Co-Founder and CEO of SWARM, a satellite company working to link the world through reliable, low-cost internet connectivity. Her expertise in small satellites and autonomous aircraft, paired with her background as a lead systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Google X, has uniquely positioned her to become an industry leader in the pursuit of global connectivity.

Today, we’ll talk about how the concept of such tiny satellites came to be, the numerous benefits of their use from individuals to companies alike, and the impact they’ll have on the future of transportation and space travel.

Some Questions I Ask:

When did you make the hard turn from mechanical engineering into space? (10:31)
What was the hardest test you had to take to see if you were suited to be an astronaut? (12:44)
When did you know you had to start SWARM? (15:03)
What made you decide to shape your company around this goal of affordable connectivity? (18:19)
What role is SWARM going to play in future transportation? (35:41)
What do you envision for the future of transportation in space? (45:19)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

The modest size and impressive range of SWARM satellites (3:24)
When Sara first caught the entrepreneurial bug (17:08)
The SWARM satellite approach (20:15)
The big impact of small data (24:38)
How they utilize polar sun sync orbits (29:43)
Why coverage in the South Atlantic Anomaly is challenging, and how SWARM does it (33:16)
Life inside Antarctica’s McMurdo Station (40:09)
The problems we’ll need to solve as we open up space travel (47:33)

Connect With Sara Spangelo:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Driving the Electric Car Revolution w/ Henrik Fisker of Fisker, Inc.

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 14:00:32 -0000

Getting electric vehicles on the road and putting those keys in the hands of drivers has certainly had its speed bumps. There’s the whole battery technology issue, an area where progress seems to sometimes move at a snail’s pace. Then, the high costs that made owning one of these cars out of reach for anyone who wasn’t a celebrity, a politician, or independently wealthy.

How can EV manufacturers solve this problem? We’ve all wondered if we might ever actually see affordable EVs enter the mainstream. But today, despite all of the setbacks, that moment is almost here. The keys to one of these beautiful, sustainably operated vehicles are closer than ever to landing in the hands of drivers, offering the EV experience to the mainstream at a surprising level of affordability.

Today’s guest is designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Fisker, Inc. He’s spent his life sketching out some of the most beautiful, iconic vehicles of his generation. Fisker’s eye for design and creative approach to innovation have made him an important voice in the conversation around electric vehicles.

In this episode, host Ed Bernardon talks to Fisker about how he started, the lessons he’s learned from putting an EV to market, and the exciting upcoming launch of the Fisker Ocean, an expertly designed electric SUV with an unbelievable price point at under $40K. You’ll hear Fisker’s predictions for the future of mobility, and why he’s long made a point of hiring women for top leadership roles at Fisker, Inc.

Some Questions I Ask:

How did you realize you finally were ready to become a car designer? (2:36)
What percentage of designer, engineer, and businessman is Henrik Fisker? (10:09)
Where do you think styling is going in the year 2030 and beyond? (12:18)
How did you come up with the name for your first car, Karma? (17:25)
Do you think it's important to own all the technology that's in your car? (24:50)
When can we get our hands on one of these vehicles? (31:04)
What is the positive impact on your businesses having women in such influential positions at Fisker Inc.? (33:47)
Where are the biggest bottlenecks in the engineering process? (38:54)

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Fisker’s biggest design inspiration (3:55)
How vehicle design and engineering have changed since the ’50s & ’60s (6:39)
The two concepts that will shape the future of mobility (15:47)
Lessons learned from being so early to the market with the Fisker Karma (21:52)
How the “non-committal generation” have inspired their generous vehicle leasing program (28:16)
Predictions for the next 5 years of the auto industry (36:17)
A timeline for the autonomous revolution (41:17)
How Fisker nearly lost his license to drive after a high-speed chase (47:51)

Connect with Henrik Fisker:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Sustainable Solutions for the Cities of Tomorrow with Andrea Kollmorgen, VP Head of Connected (e)Mobility Siemens

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 11:00:48 -0000

If you created a wish list for the cities of the future, what would it include? City dwellers would likely want noise reduction and less pollution. With sustainability and solution-oriented leaders in the driver's seat, it’s entirely possible that we might one day breathe cleaner, healthier urban air. The cities of tomorrow might actually offer more tranquility and connection, even in the busiest and most populated metropolitan areas.

In this episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon talks to Andrea Kollmorgen, VP Head of Connected (e)Mobility, based in Munich. By working with autonomy, connected, and electric shared mobility, she stays ahead of the innovation curve to conceptualize and develop the latest industry technology trends.

Today, we’ll learn about Andrea’s role and the unique career path that led her to join the team at Siemens from her previous background in finance. She’ll talk about how she pinpoints trends in technology to ensure that Siemens continues to play an active role in the future of transportation. They discuss the challenges of disrupting the old order, and what the urban environment could look like 20 years into the future.

Some Questions I Ask:

What was your focus when you went to school for your MBA? (8:10)
Which problem was your team in school the most excited to solve? (9:22)
Can a big company like Siemens be as nimble as a startup? (11:04)
How do you go about figuring out how to get all these pieces to work together? (15:05)
Can you give us an example of when you were challenging the old order? (20:27)
How has your work with Roland Busch helped you achieve your goals? (25:00)
What do you see walking through the urban landscape of 2040? (27:15)

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Andrea’s experience of working in finance during the crash in 2007 (6:04)
The evolution of her role at Siemens (12:50)
The difference between technology and technology solutions (17:39)
How sustainable technology looks different around the world (22:25)
Why decentralization will force a reckoning between humans and technology (31:15)
The one big problem she would solve (35:11)

Connect with Andrea Kollmorgen:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Better Health and Well Being through Urban Design with Kathryn Firth, Partner FPdesign

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 11:00:00 -0000

The moment you hop on the bus, the subway, or crawl into the back seat of an Uber you probably pull out your phone as it feels like a good time to catch up on emails or scroll through the news. But defaulting to your phone might be depriving you of good conversation or the chance to really observe your surroundings. Social interactions make us happier and are important for our health and well-being. Shutting off our minds and phones for a few minutes to look out the window and better understand our own neighborhoods is important for our health and well-being. While urban design hasn’t always prioritized the social pedestrian experience, it’s something that might be on the cusp of change.

In the second episode of the Women Driving the Future series, Ed Bernardon interviews Kathryn Firth, Partner at FPdesign and formerly Director of Urban Design at NBBJ Design when the podcast was recorded. Voted the most innovative architectural design firm in 2018 by Fast Company, they specialize in helping clients drive innovation by creating highly productive, sustainable spaces for people to live, learn, work, and play. Today, we’ll learn how urban design is being disrupted to create more pedestrian-friendly environments, what those environments might look like, and how they help to promote social interaction. Ultimately, these changes can make our cities friendlier, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Some Questions I Ask:

Are there other goals beyond getting rid of the car? (8:40)
How do you figure out the optimal combination of real estate for cars and pedestrians? (11:25)
How do you get people to give up their cars? (13:44)
How do you accommodate this mixing and matching of the various transportation structures? (16:54)
What are the advantages of simultaneous design for vehicles and pedestrians? (19:54)
How can we redesign vehicles, so that they're more efficient, more enjoyable? (25:01)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

What has earned them so much international recognition for innovation (2:52)
Why prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists makes better cities (5:16)
Why the efficiency of public transportation is the key to pedestrian-friendly areas (14:04)
How intentional human-centered design is good for company culture (21:00)
Why creating positive catalysts for socialization on public transportation can enhance the experience and decrease stress (24:00)
Why underground transportation misses a valuable opportunity (26:44)
How the “last mile” factors in to transportation decision making (33:11)

Connect with Kathryn Firth:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The End of Parking As We Know It with Anuja Sonalker

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 11:00:43 -0000

A lot of people love to drive, but most of us aren’t as fanatic about that last step of the driving experience. The one that requires operating your vehicle at a snail's pace while you anxiously stalk drivers and pedestrians, attempting to swoop in if any of them approach the driver’s side door or tap their brake lights. Yep, today we’re here to talk about parking. Well, we’re actually talking about NOT parking.

What if you never again had to show up late to a meeting or dinner date due to countless minutes spent repetitively circling city blocks for a space to leave your car? What if you never had to miss the start of the movie because you arrived at a full parking lot and had to stash your car 6 blocks away? Wouldn’t it be great if your car could just drop you at the door and magically park itself?

In this episode, join Ed Bernardon, host of the Future Car Podcast, and Anuja Sonalker, the CEO of STEER Tech. Her company has created a technology that solves a big problem, a problem that qualifies as one of the greatest “pet peeves” of city dwellers and anyone else who’s ever sat behind the wheel of a car. If we can land people on the moon and accurately detect our percentage of neanderthal DNA, isn’t it about time we figured out a better way to manage parking?

In today’s episode, you’ll learn about Anuja’s interesting professional background, and how it eventually led her to founding STEER. Buckle your seat belts and listen in as we talk about a parking technology that could save you time, frustration, and one day eliminate parking from your life forever.

Some Questions I Ask:

What were you doing before starting STEER? (2:57)
How did you transition from cybersecurity to autonomous parking (5:55)
How does your autonomous parking system work? (9:26)
What parking options can the system handle? (11:23)
What are some of the partnerships you’ve created? (14:45)
What can this technology do for communities? (19:36)
How do you test your systems? (32:09)
What’s next for STEER? (35:05)

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

An action movie worthy incident that demonstrated the vulnerabilities of technology (4:12)
How minimalist engineering helped Anuja recognize that retro-fitting was possible (6:40)
How much time you’re really giving up just in order to park your car (12:56)
How the nature of parking will change in the future (16:14)
How this technology can be applied to existing vehicles (22:12)
Why shuttles aren’t the answer (35:49)
When you can get your hands on this autonomous technology (39:35)

Connect with Anuja Sonalker:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Government's Role in Shaping Our Driverless Future with Dan Sullivan

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Can you imagine what a driverless world would look like?

The more you think about it, the more complicated it gets. Will there be steering wheels, a need for drivers’ licenses, or road rage? Where do you even begin to think about the legalities behind this, and how will government keep up with this rapidly changing world?

Luckily, for all the visionaries and entrepreneurs out there, lawmakers have their eyes on the future.

In this episode, join Ed Bernardon, host of the Future Car Podcast, and Daniel Sullivan who shares his experiences and insights on the front lines as the Assistant Director of Policy at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He tells us about asset mapping, where and why human drivers are slowing down the developments of autonomous vehicles, how simulations are used to test new autonomous vehicle software, and even what traveling to Fenway Park will be like in 2040.

Some Questions I Ask:

Tell us how you got involved in government, transportation, and developing autonomous vehicles. (1:26)
What are the big target areas where we can apply technology and get the most improvement? (3:40)
How do the goals for implementing autonomous vehicles in cities versus states differ? (12:05)
What can you do on the infrastructure side to take advantage of autonomous vehicles sooner rather than later? (18:12)
With so many different modes of transportation sharing the road, how do you accommodate for each mode and prioritize safety? (25:23)
What will riding an autonomous vehicle be like in 2050? (32:25)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

What role asset mapping plays in improving road and general travel conditions. (2:53)
What aspects of the future of transportation are most exciting to Daniel. (6:50)
How autonomous vehicle services may differ within a city versus on a regional scale. (13:23)
How humans are slowing down the integration of autonomous vehicles. (16:54)
How simulations are used to model traffic and the “what ifs” of driving in a city. (21:55)
How having multiple modes of transportation will provide equitable access to transportation. (26:52)
How Daniel would like to see autonomous vehicle development evolve. (31:08)

Connect with Daniel Sullivan:

Connect with Ed Bernardon:

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Building an Autonomous Future: Karl Iagnemma

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Being the first in your field is never an easy hill to climb. Convincing investors that your idea is valid and has potential can often feel like a one-sided conversation. In the world of technology, this is made all the more complicated because the technology required can be so far into the future that it’s nearly impossible for people to conceptualize in the moment. With innovation and lack of imagination being such opposing forces, it takes a lot of courage to pioneer futuristic technology. Autonomous cars? Never. Right...?

Join Ed Bernardon, host of The Future Car Podcast, in a discussion with Karl Iagnemma, President and CEO of the Hyundai + Aptiv Autonomous Driving joint venture. His belief in the future capabilities of technology helped fuel today’s thriving autonomous vehicle industry.

We discuss his journey from an award-winning fiction writer to earning a Ph.D. at MIT, and how that led to founding nuTonomy in 2013. Karl provides valuable insights on autonomous cars from his diverse experience and talks about the early challenges of being a believer in the future of autonomous vehicles. If you listen to the end we also find time to discuss other important topics on the top of everyone’s mind, including if one day robot cars might fall in love!

Some Questions I Ask:

What was the inspiration that drove you to start nuTonomy? (2:06)
What were OEMs on the commercial side thinking in the early days of autonomous cars? (4:49)
If you look back on your days at nuTonomy, what were the most fun days the most challenging? (8:58)
What do you think was key to making you so successful? (11:01)
What can you tell us about the differences between deploying something in Las Vegas versus in Singapore? (16:16)
What are the plans for ultimately removing the human backup? (22:47)
How important is vehicle to vehicle communication going to be for autonomous cars to be successful? (27:12)

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

Why Karl thought he was too late in starting his company back in 2013. (3:28)
The early skepticism that surrounded autonomous vehicles (5:54)
Karl’s experience as a startup founder (10:22)
The joint venture between Aptiv and Hyundai Motor Group (12:00)
How the automotive landscape has broadened through technology (14:21)
How to plan for the unexpected corner cases a vehicle might encounter (24:30)
How an early appreciation for writing influenced Karl’s future career in technology (30:45)

Connect with Karl Iagnemma:

Learn more about your host Ed Bernardon:

Resources:

Forbes
Aptiv

Recorded December 2019

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Modeling, Economists And Predicting The “New Normal”

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 10:00:42 -0000

Modeling plays a key role in the development of the future car and in this new pandemic world in which we live. Preventing the spread of this disease permeates everything we do from how we manage our health to how we dine out, and even how we get around - everything is changing. While scientists race to find a vaccine and the world must adapts to a new normal, modeling and simulation help us predict how that new normal will unfold.

Putting new systems in place and altering urban infrastructure is costly. Particularly during an economic shutdown, we need to make sure our decisions have the intended effect of keeping us safe as we return to some version of normality. So, what role does modeling play in helping us make those decisions, and who is doing the modeling? Join Ed Bernardon, host of The Future Car Podcast, discover how economists are shaping the models that try to predict the new normal.

Our guest today is Ashley O'Donoghue, a Ph.D. economist at the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She talks with us about some of the models that are currently being used to help us predict what the new normal might look like. She’ll also help us answer one of life’s great questions: What exactly does an economist do?

Some Questions I Ask:

What is the role of an economist in the healthcare sector? (3:02)
When do you know your model is good enough? (6:35)
Can models help us predict the future? (7:37)
What is a “super spreader”? (11:10)
Which environments are more likely to create super spreader events? (13:24)

What You Will Learn:

What an economist actually does (1:49)
What we learn from “causal inference” (3:41)
Examples of Natural Experiments in hospitals and what we can learn from data (4:56)
What the current models are predicting about transportation (8:54)
The unintended side effects of the pandemic in the healthcare sector (9:26)
What changes cities are already making to adapt (10:01)

Learn more about Ashley O’Donoghue:

Twitter

Super Spreader Study

Harvard Business Review on Ashley’s Model

AI in Health Care

Learn more about your host Ed Bernardon:

Future Car: Driving a Lifestyle Revolution

Motorsports is speeding the way to safer urban mobility

Siemens Digital Industries Software

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Stay Safe; Stay Connected: Transportation During The COVID-19 Crisis

Fri, 29 May 2020 22:04:24 -0000

It’s probably safe to say that one feeling we can all relate to as we navigate through this pandemic is one of uncertainty. In addition to thinking about our own individual lives, we’re also wondering what our governments are doing to adjust, and what changes they’re making to prepare for the future. Join Ed Bernardon, host of The Future Car Podcast as we navigate this “new normal” and how it is permanently restructuring our cities, and transportation is at the very center of those changes. We’re increasingly aware of our personal health and safety when we venture out into this brave new world, so what does that mean for how we get from A to B?

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how critical the conversation about transportation will prove to be in a more safety centric world, and how that requires a multi-organizational approach to planning for the future. Everything is connected, and this pandemic has brought the relationship between transportation safety and hygiene to the forefront.

Our guest today is Finch Fulton, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy. The Alabama native joined the DOT as part of the new administration, and has worked on Capitol Hill under Jim McCreary (R-La), John Flemming (R-La), and former Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Al). He graduated with an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Some Questions I ask:

How do we use roads in a crisis? (2:06)
What are companies doing in response to the pandemic? (8:12)
How can we reach a level of hygiene on public transportation to make people feel safe? (12:49)
How do you explain this technology to regulators in the federal government? (17:22)
How is design taken into consideration for those with disabilities? (21:49)

In this episode you will learn:

Why transportation is so critical to our supply chain and who the real heroes are (4:38)
How the DOT gets involved to make it easier to help deploy these types of technologies (11:44)
How government mandates can delay progress (14:54)
Why it’s important to communicate across sectors when introducing new technology. (19:34)

Connect with Finch Fulton:

Connect with Eddie Bernardon

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Driving Around the Globe with Henri Coron

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 23:47:43 -0000

Although autonomous vehicles are very publicly working through the boom-bust hype cycle, by now a small number of AV pioneers can point to multi-year track records with real-world deployments.

To better understand the early trials, tribulations and triumphs of some of the very first AV deployments in the world, a few months back I sat down with Henri Coron. Henri is the Chief Development Officer of NAVYA, among the early AV pioneers. I first met him at the FIA Conference 2019 in South Africa. (For more our work with FIA, see this story.)

Links

Siemens blog (including lightly edited interview transcript)

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn

Connect with Henri via LinkedIn

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Q&A with Henri Coron

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:00:07 -0000

Unedited version of our summer 2019 conversation with NAVYA's Henri Coron. A shorter, more produced version of the episode is available here.

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Q&A with Gernot Spiegelberg

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 16:11:10 -0000

Fifty years from today, what will the world look like?

On this podcast, we discuss the future of the automotive industry, the development of different types of cars, and how infrastructures in cities will need to transform. In this episode, we’re taking it one step further. We’re tackling a specific vision of how cities will transform, both above and below ground, as a result of the rapidly changing automotive industry.

This episode features Gernot Spiegelberg, from the corporate research office for Siemens in Germany. He was one of the very first people interviewed on this podcast, and he’s back for one last episode before he retires. Before he starts the next chapter of his life, Gernot shares with us his specific vision for the future, including underground roads, a city filled with parks, and breathable air devoid of automotive-related pollutants.

Together, we discuss how interconnected the automotive industry is with the rest of the world. From jobs inside and outside of the automotive industry, to the state of our world, to the ways we move around inside of buildings, Gernot paints us a picture of how the world is expeditiously changing.

Some Questions I Ask:

What are the most impressive things to happen in the automotive industry over the last decade? (1:09)
What will cities look like in 50 years? (5:43)
How will transportation technology improve accessibility? (15:50)
What will the future of work look like as a result of the future of mobility? (20:26)
What role do you think Siemens will play in making your vision of the future reality? (24:35)
If you could give Siemens one piece of advice, what should they do to prepare for the future of the world? (28:38)
What are you looking forward to as you go into a new stage of life? (30:17)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What part does Tesla play in driving electromobility in Europe? (4:01)
How the roads will change as a result of our evolving travel needs. (8:25)
How Gernot’s vision for the future of cities, roads, and autonomous vehicles will make traveling exponentially safer. (11:15)
How society will transition from private ownership of cars to full mobility as a service. (18:15)
How the insides of buildings will change over time as a result of the evolution of transportation. (22:54)
What new challenges Siemens will have to face in the future. (25:14)

Connect with Gernot Spiegelberg:

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Envisioning a Greener Future with Gernot Spiegelberg

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 10:00:16 -0000

Fifty years from today, what will the world look like?

Connect with Gernot Spiegelberg:

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The Future of Traffic Flow with Eric Gannaway

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 10:30:13 -0000

There’s nothing more annoying than inching along the road in a city with heavy traffic. With today’s traffic light systems, it’s not unusual to stop at a red light, travel 30 feet, then get stopped again. Rinse and repeat.

There are, however, innovations in the works to create intelligent traffic systems: ones that collect data, analyze the patterns, and make adjustments in real-time, ultimately making traffic systems more efficient than they are today. In this episode, we go beyond talking about just autonomous cars. Instead, we’re investigating the world of autonomous and connected cars, and the infrastructure changes that will transform the way we travel.

Eric Gannaway, from Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems in Detroit, is our tour guide for this episode. Together, we discuss the potential costs and benefits of connected vehicles, how intelligent traffic systems will improve traffic flow, and what the future of employment in the automotive industry might look like.

Connect with Eric Gannaway:

Connect with Eric Ed Bernardon:

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Q&A with Eric Gannaway

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 10:00:58 -0000

There’s nothing more annoying than inching along the road in a city with heavy traffic.

With today’s traffic light systems, it’s not unusual to get stuck at a red light, travel 30 feet, then get stopped again. Rinse and repeat. There are, however, innovations in the works to create intelligent traffic systems: ones that collect data, analyze the patterns, and make adjustments in real-time, ultimately making traffic systems more efficient than they are today.

In this episode, we’re going beyond talking about just autonomous cars. Instead, we’re investigating the world of autonomous and connected cars, and the infrastructural changes that will change the way we travel. Eric Gannaway, from Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems in Detroit, is our tour guide for this episode.

Together, we discuss the potential costs and benefits of connected vehicles, how intelligent traffic systems will improve the flow of traffic, and what the future of employment in the automotive industry will look like.

Some Questions I Ask:

How are connected vehicles related to autonomous vehicles? (4:45)
What are the benefits of having my data collected with a connected vehicle? (6:23)
How do you see connected vehicle technology evolving to become an entertainment system? (10:56)
How does congestion charging work with connected vehicles? (19:32)
How does vehicle to infrastructure communication help an autonomous car navigate? (20:50)
How do intelligent traffic systems help in this multi-modal world? (24:26)
What will the future of employment in the automotive industry look like? (27:04)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How Eric describes the future of transportation to his grandchild. (2:37)
What a connected vehicle is. (5:05)
What the ideal goal is for connected and autonomous vehicle development. (6:50)
How intelligent traffic systems improve the flow of traffic. (13:16)
What a geofence is. (20:24)
Where the reduction in traffic congestion will come from. (25:19)
What Eric sees as the most valuable feature for an autonomous vehicle. (34:52)

Connect with Eric Gannaway:

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David Fritz sits down with AutoSensTV in Detroit

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:00:48 -0000

David Fritz has been making the rounds to talk about the Siemens PAVE360 program, a validation environment for ADAS and automated driving that spans chips to vehicle hardware and software to simulated traffic flows. Here, David sits down with Automoblog's Carl Anthony at AutoSens in Detroit to run through the rationale behind the program, announced in May 2019 and already featured in EE Times and of course, on the Autonocast, our guests at AutoSens. (The Autonocast subscriber count now tops 45,000; nice job Ed, Kirsten and Alex!) In this interview, David gives his take on what keep execs at the big automakers and suppliers up at night, why these companies are contemplating (or already well down the road) in in-house custom chip design, and why existing chip architectures are insufficient for ADAS and automated driving applications. (Editor's note: This interview is available on YouTube, as well.)

Connect with David Fritz:

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The car of the future: Electric, connected and autonomous | Joe Barkai

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:00:23 -0000

We commissioned independent analyst, Joe Barkai, to write this paper giving his take on how automotive design is changing given the oft-mentioned trends of electrification, connectivity and autonomy. We decided to present that paper in audio form in this episode, along with a brief introductory discussion with Joe, who's also Chairman of the Automotive IoT program at SAE International and former VP of research at IDC.

Notably, Joe not only provides a relatively thorough and evergreen assessment of the megatrends daily in the news, but also devotes a bit of analysis to implications of all this disruption for PLM. He writes: "A common PLM platform enables uniform access to authoring tools and exchanges information with enterprise systems, automates manual processes and provides migration and translation from legacy systems. With integrations for enterprise software systems such as PDM, ALM, CAD and ERP, this next generation platform connects all users into a single set of information and processes."

An editor's note here that the paper also includes links to source material and additional information, so if you enjoy the episode, make sure to download the PDF for more. You can find Joe on Twitter @JoeBarkai.

Thanks for listening and let us know what you think about this format as we continue to experiment with how to make the most of our podcast feed. The example we are following here is from publications like The Economist and The New Yorker which offer some or all of their written articles in audio, as well.

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The Automotive Digital Enterprise: A Today Problem

Mon, 20 May 2019 10:00:00 -0000

Ginni Saraswati reads a blog post from Andy Macleod entitled "The automotive digital enterprise: a today problem," published Friday, May 31st, 2019. Andy is director of automotive marketing for the Mentor portfolio at Siemens PLM Software, based in Austin. He is the author of handful of whitepapers, including "Chip Design for the Future of Mobility," compiled with help from occasional podcast co-host, Conor Peick. Andy has also made regular appearances on the podcast. His audioblog, "Cars, Mobility, Chip-to-City Design (and the iPhone4)" is the most downloaded episode of all time. And check out this long interview from fall of 2018 for more of his biography and backstory.

In this episode you’ll learn:

-The implications of the automotive industry moving towards new forms of transportation (01:00)

-What differentiates winner companies from those who will not survive over the next decade (01:45)

-How BMW CIO Klaus Straub describes the evolution of automotive IT systems (03:30)

-The benefits of converging the car-building and IT worlds (04:15)

-The meaning of digitalization and why should you care about it (05:10)

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GWU Professor John Helveston on EVs in China

Mon, 13 May 2019 19:18:44 -0000

We came across Prof. Helveston first in this piece in Axios on prospects for EVs and AVs in China given a rule change on how foreign carmakers must operate in the country. The rule had required joint ventures with Chinese firms for all foreign car companies looking to make and sell vehicles in China. Now it's easier for foreign carmakers and aerospace firms to own factories in China. According to Prof. Helveston's research, the rule may have hindered tech transfer from the global brands while simultaneously spurring innovation in China's domestic EV market, one of the most vibrant in the world. In this episode we walk through this 2019 research paper in the journal "Research Policy" by Prof. Helveston documenting the phenomenon. The paper includes interviews with more than 50 people, from industry and government, lots of data on vehicle sales in China, and four case studies of independent domestic EV firms in China. Prof. Helveston is joined in this episode by Puneet Sinha, past guest of the show and frequent blogger on the topic of EVs. Here's one look at how electrified cities of the future will look and sound.

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Future electric cars must focus on battery, architecture development

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 10:00:24 -0000

"Electrification is indispensable for autonomous vehicles," says Puneet Sinha, in a recent Siemens blog, offered here in audio. Among the topics Puneet addresses: how to compensate for range reduction associated autonomous functionality; how the convergence of autonomy and electrification affects the electrical distribution system; and why virtual testing, validation, and verification will loom larger in the years ahead. Make sure to check out Puneet's post, as well, for twin photos (courtesy Navigant's Sam Abuelsamid) comparing the low-voltage wiring harness of a production Chevy Bolt with that of autonomous Chevy Bolt test vehicle. The added complexity and weight is clear at a glance.

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CES 2019 Conference: Episode 2

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:00:15 -0000

Welcome back to the Future Car Podcast. This week we wanted to bring you more of the amazing conversations that we had at CES 2019. It was truly an incredible week, we learned so much about the innovation happening in the transportation space.

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Will Cowboys or Collaborators Shape the Self-Driving Future?

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 10:00:19 -0000

The Future Car Podcast: Will Cowboys or Collaborators Shape the Self-Driving Future?

You may have noticed the bloom is ever so slightly off the autonomous vehicle rose.

With the growing cynicism directed at Silicon Valley and the media’s intense focus on incidents involving self-driving vehicles, autonomous vehicle companies are struggling to win over the approval of the general public.

In this episode, we draw from discussions that include Elon Musk, Eran Shir, and Sam Abuelsamid. All three of these people are leaders in the autonomous vehicle industry. With their knowledge, we will lay out the potential next steps to finding a general solution for self-driving vehicles, how they will become fully integrated into smart city environments, and eventually transform all aspects of transportation overall.

Discussed In This Episode:

Why it’s important to find a general solution for self-driving vehicles that works worldwide. (1:10)
The motivation for carmakers to get involved in finding city-level solutions when the world’ mega-firms are already grappling with it. (3:34)
Next steps for fully integrating autonomous vehicles into the smart city environment. (6:58)
How self-driving vehicles will transform all aspects of transportation. (9:20)

Resources:

White Paper: “How vehicle electrification impacts electrical system design”

The Future of Mobility: Transforming Cities

“Autonomous Vehicles Fall Into The Trough Of Disillusionment...But That’s Good”

Elon Musk: The Recode interview

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Automotive Audio at CES 2019

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 11:00:48 -0000

Welcome back to another episode of The Future Car Podcast. In this episode, Geoff, Ed and the Future Car crew kicked off the new year at CES 2019. It was a great week spent with the best and brightest in consumer tech and the gang captured some interviews that will be coming in the feed in the months ahead. Here, we caught up Anil Khanna, product line director for audio innovation in the Mentor portfolio at Siemens PLM, and Kenneth Waurin, worldwide strategy manager at Analog Devices (ADI).

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Cars, Mobility, Chip to City Design (and the iPhone 4)

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:00:00 -0000

Sometimes, it seems like technology is developing so quickly that we can’t keep up while simultaneously not advancing fast enough.

Carmakers, such as Tesla, are now taking advantage of the technological advances that allow allthe functionality of a central processor, many discrete components that perform various functionalities, and more, all to be integrated onto a single chip: the system-on-chip, or SoC.

This compute consolidation requires less space and less power consumption, which is ideal for a car that runs off a battery—like many vehicles on the road today. Still, with the high compute requirements for applications like ADAS and automated driving, along with connectivity

features and many other features, power consumption becomes a very real issue.

This episode of The Future Card Podcast dives into the specifics of how and why car makers are taking advantage of this SoC approach.

Discussed In This Episode:

The advantages of the SoC approach to computing architecture. (1:33)
Why car makers are switching from focusing on mechanical design to chip design and methods of compute consolidation. (6:33)
Why carmakers throughout the industry are now collaborating on specifications and the design of key components of vehicle functionality. (7:11)
How autonomous functionality can be tested using silicon models of an SoC that has not even been manufactured yet. (8:17)
What’s the point of all this? (8:58)

Resources:

“Tesla to start testing new Autopilot Hardware 3 in employee vehicles” by Fred Lambert

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Katherine Sheriff - Emergent Technology Consultants (and AV lawyer)

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 11:00:16 -0000

You are always on the go—from city to city, from store to store, and from work to home. For many, they have to rely heavily on their cars in order to function day to day.

Imagine never staying in one place for your entire life, always moving around and seeking out adventures and career opportunities—and then having that independence abruptly stolen away from you.

This is the reality for many people around the world, especially for the elderly and disabled populations.

This is what drove Katherine Sheriff’s passion to shift her career around, from an attorney to a career in autonomous vehicles. Her grandfather lived a life of travel, from serving in the military to living in various motorhomes that allowed him to continuously explore. As he aged, that independence was taken away from him, leaving him stuck in his home for his final years.

The implementation of autonomous vehicles into our societies could starkly change that narrative, allowing everyone the independence they crave and deserve.

On this episode of The Future Car Podcast, Katherine Sheriff and I discuss the hard topics around autonomous vehicle development and implementation, including how to hold a robot accountable for programming hiccups, how regulators grow to understand the technology in order to establish sensible laws, why autonomous vehicles need to earn our trust, and so much more.

Some Questions I Ask:

· How did your career go from an attorney of the law to autonomous vehicles? (0:56)

· What do you think poses the biggest challenges to us, from a technological standpoint and a legal standpoint? (4:24)

· How can regulators understand AV technology enough to make sensible laws? (5:40)

· What do you think the top regulatory issue is? (8:01)

· Do you think that the government would ever accept virtual testing? (10:36)

· In an accident involving an autonomous vehicle, who is at fault? (15:36)

· Can you treat AV as individual corporations? (34:55)

· What would you do in your autonomous car on a road trip? (36:14)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

· What inspired Katherine to pursue her career, making her a thought leader in the AV realm. (1:07)

· Katherine’s view of the biggest challenges to further technological and legal development. (4:58)

· About the value of public road testing. (9:50)

· Why blindly trusting autonomous vehicles too soon is dangerous to society. (16:05)

· The legal differences between human intention and AI intention. (23:50)

· The best way to ensure engineers and lawmakers see eye-to-eye when establishing regulations. (33:09)

Connect with Katherine Sheriff:

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Justin Ho - Violins, Banking & rideOS

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:00:00 -0000

Justin Ho is the co-founder and CEO of rideOS, which TechCrunch described as aiming to be traffic-control center for self-driving cars (though fleets of human-driven vehicles stand to benefit from its services, too). Funded by Siemens' venture arm, Next47, rideOS enables other companies in the industry to accelerate the deployment of their fleets, expand service coverage, and operate safer and more profitable transportation networks, all while benefiting from the scale and performance of the cloud.

Connect with Justin Ho

justin@rideOS.ai

Resources

rideOS website

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Keeping it SAFE with Amitai Bin-Nun & Ed Bernardon

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:00:54 -0000

Amitai Bin-Nun is the Vice President at Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE). There, it’s his job to assist with developing and establishing regulations on autonomous vehicles. His goal is to find a balance between ensuring the safety of people, promoting innovation, and maximizing the potential of the technology. These types of vehicles are transforming the way all of us travel; Amitai discusses how impactful the development of this technology will be for those living with disabilities.

An ex-black-hole-studying PHD physicist who has also worked at Harvard's Kennedy School, the Department of Energy and for U.S. Senator Chris Coons, now Amitai spends time at SAFE helping governments regulate self-driving cars in a way that still promotes innovation and maximizes the potential of this technology. Another significant part of his job is to articulate (including on podcasts!) why society should care and want self-driving vehicles.

Resources:

Amitai Bin-Nun (SAFE)

Twitter

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[Unedited] David Fritz: On car companies and suppliers doing their own custom chips

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:30:00 -0000

Nvidia and Qualcomm alum, David Fritz, now at Siemens, breaks down the lesson of Apple. Over time, the gang from Cupertino has done more of their own silicon stuff (design and so on) and thus has captured more of the world's smartphone profits. David says this fact isn't lost on carmakers and suppliers, which are edging into the world of transistors and gates. And he talks about how a chip designer might breakdown all these YouTube videos of people (mis)behaving with various driver-assist and self-driving systems in today's vehicles. (Summary: the systems aren't ready for prime time and anyone who really knows chips and ICs would never do what many of these drivers are doing.)

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David Fritz: On car companies and suppliers doing their own custom chips

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:00:15 -0000

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[Unedited]: Mathias Fritzson on life in Sweden and coming era of the software-updatable car

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 11:01:52 -0000

Mathias Fritzson: "So if you have an ADAS system in the car that gives you limited assistance, down the road the sensors that are in the vehicle may be able to support you to get from an SAE Level 3 to an SAE Level 4. And that could be very good not just for the consumer and the car manufacturer but also for the environment. We don't need to replace vehicles to get the extended features that we need, we will just update the existing hardware that we have available."

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Mathias Fritzson on life in Sweden and coming era of the software-updatable car

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 11:00:51 -0000

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Ed Bernardon in Detroit 2018 on the Italian lesson wine and cheese car

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:00:24 -0000

"Maybe somebody comes up with a dating pod. Maybe it's a pod for just Democrats to talk to other Democrats or Republicans to talk to other Republicans. Or maybe it's a pod for Republicans to Democrats because they are people who like to argue." Futurist Ed Bernardon on stage at IESF 2018 in Michigan riffing on autonomous sponsored pods, the self-driving school bus second-grade bully problem, and more.

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Tony Hemmelgarn, Wally Rhines and Marcus Welz onstage with journo John McElroy in Detroit

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 11:00:14 -0000

ICYMI from IESF 2018 earlier this year. The conversation covers everything from mass customization in manufacturing to how generative design principles from the world of integrated circuits and chips are spilling over into other domains to smart city, A-to-Z trip planning work going on in cities around the world, including Dubai. Host John McElroy also has a suggestion on how Detroit can keep its Motor City nickname in the years ahead.

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[Unedited] Doug Burcicki with Geoff Koch and Conor Peick

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:57:45 -0000

Increasing vehicle complexity, including all the sensors associated with autonomy, is felt directly in the wiring harness, which must string all these electronic devices together. However, everyone is also talking about consolidation of electrical systems, from many dozens of ECUs eventually down to a handful, if the tech optimists are right. So how will these competing trends play out? And is Elon Musk right that he can slash the total length of cabling in his vehicles from more than a kilometer down to just 100 meters? 25-year harness industry veteran, Doug Burcicki, has a take on that, also on the biggest hurdle facing self-driving cars. (Hint: it has to with a fact of life in the Upper Midwest.) Enjoy this unedited conversation with Doug. You'll find a shorter, produced version of this interview in the podcast feed, as well.

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Doug Burcicki: Untangling the vehicle wiring harness

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:46:00 -0000

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[Unedited] Gernot Spiegelberg on Musk, the migration to MaaS and more

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 10:01:00 -0000

Gernot Spiegelberg: "There is only one person who's dealt with this chicken and egg problem...it's Elon Musk." Dr. Spiegelberg, a researcher in Siemens AG Corporate Technology, joins Ed to discuss the move from manufacturing to MaaS, a future where avatars travel instead of people, and why the shift from internal combustion engines is sure to free up car designers.

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Gernot Spiegelberg on Musk, the migration to MaaS and more

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 10:00:37 -0000

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[Unedited] The future of public transport and more with Marcus Welz and Pri Boyd

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 09:01:03 -0000

Marcus Welz, President of Siemens ITS, "With connected vehicle technologies, cars will broadcast their position, direction, speed and latitude and longitude, 10 times per second." This week, Marcus and ITS senior product manager, Pri Boyd, of TEDx Oxford fame, talk commutes from Austin to New York to Sao Paulo, prospects for integrating public transit with trends like ride sharing, and how drivers stuck in Seattle's "Mercer Mess" are getting back 86 hours annually thanks to better traffic management.

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The future of public transport and more with Marcus Welz and Pri Boyd

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 09:00:02 -0000

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[Unedited] Puneet Sinha on electric powertrains and an eclectic post-Ph.D. decade in EVs

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 09:01:24 -0000

Puneet Sinha is a Penn St. Ph.D. who has gone from GM to startup to Siemens PLM in a decade, with a few other stops besides. He riffs on fuel cells and the grid, also on balancing range and fuel economy, driving performance and passenger comfort. And he answers the most personal question yet on the podcast: "Puneet, have you ever experienced range anxiety?"

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Puneet Sinha on electric powertrains and an eclectic post-Ph.D. decade in EVs

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 09:00:01 -0000

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[Unedited] Securing Autonomous Vehicles

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 09:01:40 -0000

Chief safety officer, Robert Bates: "Automotive software and systems have always been focused on safety because these systems have mostly been closed. For a long time security wasn’t even a thought in the sector. Now this is becoming an issue as cars become more and more connected to the rest of the world."

Robert also discusses why V2X is still mostly a parallel, non-overlapping effort to autonomy; predicts that carmakers' autonomous driving systems will eventually talk to each other; and explains why Level 3 autonomy is the worst place to be.

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Securing Autonomous Vehicles

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 09:00:56 -0000

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Unedited Q&A with Anil Khanna & Geoff Koch

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 09:05:40 -0000

Automotive in general hasn't been through a disruption like we are facing right now. Companies like Tesla have come in and raised the bar significantly. To add to that, consumers' expectation of how electronics should interact with them personally has changed the entire mindset about a car and how it should behave. And, of course, audio is not immune to this." Mentor's product line director for audio technologies talks noise cancellation and sound enhancement, the best way to transport digital audio around the car and why auto engineers ignore audio at their peril.

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Listen up! Anil Khanna on why automotive audio is about way more than Android Auto and CarPlay

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 09:00:41 -0000

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Unedited Q&A - Mouse McCoy with Ed Bernardon

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:05:00 -0000

It's not everyday an American film director and producer agrees to join a podcast about the future car. Mike McCoy, also known as "Mouse," joins Ed Bernardon to discuss the impact of technology on people who like to drive, don't want to let go of the wheel and love the thrill of speed. In addition to his role in Hollywood, Mouse is the CEO of Hackrod, a company partnering with Siemens to create the world's first car designed in virtual reality, engineered by AI. Here is the unedited version.

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Mouse McCoy: How Autonomous Technology will Effect Driving

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:00:35 -0000

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Unedited Q&A - Andy Macleod with Geoff Koch

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:05:20 -0000

Now we have this concept of chip-to-city for autonomous drive, with a whole portfolio that we are bringing together." Andy Macleod is director of automotive marketing for the Mentor product suite at Siemens PLM Software. He riffs on cultural differences in hardware and software design, how autonomy compares to the opening of the market in China in terms of hype, and how the growing list of dependencies across design domains is impacting the automotive industry.

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Andy Macleod: Chips and systems for new mobility

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:00:09 -0000

"Now we have this concept of chip-to-city for autonomous drive, with a whole portfolio that we are bringing together." Andy Macleod is director of automotive marketing for the Mentor product suite at Siemens PLM Software. He riffs on cultural differences in hardware and software design, how autonomy compares to the opening of the market in China in terms of hype, and how the growing list of dependencies across design domains is impacting the automotive industry.

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Unedited Q&A with astrophysicist Daniel Clarke, principal engineer for sensor fusion

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 09:05:17 -0000

Clarke: "I very much see the AI community trying to mimic biological systems and biological behavior. In my mind this is one of the community's failings."

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Astrophysics, autonomy and AI

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 09:00:56 -0000

Daniel Clarke (http://bit.ly/2BvIWdz), principal engineer for sensor fusion and sensor security for the Mentor product suite at Siemens PLM, also a Ph.D. astrophysicist. Just what does astrophysics have to do with autonomous driving? Clarke: "Astrophysics is essentially sensors on the ground looking up at the sky to understand what's above us... With autonomous cars it's very similar from a sensing perspective. There are a bunch of sensors sitting on a platform observing the environment. Astrophysics and autonomous driving have a lot in common when it comes to the underlying techniques and technologies, the mathematics, the statistics of the sensors, how you integrate the sensors together -- it's all very similar.

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Engineering behind The Future Car - Full Q&A with Dave Lauzun

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:04:25 -0000

Mostly unedited full Q&A with Dave Lauzun, Siemens PLM vice president of automotive transportation. Get the full conversation, from growing up in a GM family in Michigan to his work on self-driving at Siemens today.

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Engineering behind The Future Car with Dave Lauzun

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:02:16 -0000

Dave Lauzun, Siemens PLM vice president of automotive transportation, unpacks the details of the engineering, from prototypes to eventual mass market autonomous vehicles. Dave was born and raised in Michigan and comes from a GM family. In fact, his family were big contributors to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing. He's lived the past and present of the auto industry from the time he was a kid. He's now working on the future of transportation, including self-driving cars and mobility services. Talking about the engineering problems to get to this future is what he does. About three quarters of Dave's career was in design. He's been in exterior design, interior design, chassis design. The rest of his career has been a mixture of manufacturing in assembly plants and stamping plants, and program management and vehicle development. Dave spent the first quarter-century of his career at Chrysler during Lee Iacocca's tenure and shares stories about that, too.

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The future. Full Q&A with Ed Bernardon

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:01:03 -0000

Unedited conversation with Ed Bernardon, vice president of strategic automotive initiatives at Siemens PLM. According to Ed, the biggest technical challenge standing in the way of full automation is getting the logic and AI right. The issue is whether the systems are going to be able to handle all the different situations, as they ultimately must do. This is a mind-boggling software and simulation challenge. Trust is also a social issue that will still be a long time in coming, though will inevitably arrive.

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The future. How far away is it?

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:00:36 -0000

Think of the future of transportation. The distant future. What do you see? Or maybe, what don’t you see? A whole slew of technologies and systems are upending the way we get around. Ed Bernardon knows about these technologies. He is vice president of strategic automotive initiatives at Siemens PLM. He loves racing go-karts with his son. He also plays guitar and grows grapes in his backyard for wine, which takes some doing since he's a New Englander. His work at Siemens is all about self-driving car technology. Three years ago, Ed became one of the company's designated thought leaders and spokespersons about autonomous cars and future car technologies. At first this had to do a lot with just writing articles. Though it quickly turned into lots of work on actual hardware projects, initially working with the city of Boston and also in various racing settings. If you go back like two or three years, people were hardly talking about autonomous cars. But it became popular so quickly and the expectations of what these cars were going to do went way, way up there -- surely too high. Gartner's Hype Cycle for emerging technologies predicts this very thing, an inflation of expectations. In this episode, Geoff and Ed discuss where we are on this cycle, and also riff widely on the future of transportation and the testing of self-driving vehicles.

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The Future Car Podcast

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 01:46:13 -0000

Cars morphing into living rooms on wheels. Simulators serving up millions of driving scenarios. Intelligent traffic management systems saving time and lives. "The Future Car" is accelerating up the podcast onramp featuring a handful of interesting guests buckled in for the ride. Listen to teaser of what's coming.

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