Autonocast

Will Jones, co-founder of the Cannonball Sun Endurance Driving Team, shares his journey of building a solar-powered car to race across the U.S. The discussion dives into the innovative design and construction challenges they faced, along with the thrill of navigating public roads. Jones reflects on humorous encounters with law enforcement and the intricacies of long-distance route planning. He also unveils the team's vision for the future of solar and electric vehicles, celebrating their unique contributions to the legacy of the Cannonball Run.

Alex Roy, an automotive adventurer known for his thrilling car escapades, shares his excitement over his new Tesla, sparking a lively debate with commentator Kirsten. They discuss the nostalgia of electric vehicles, comparing Tesla with iconic supercars. The trio delves into the trials of owning Teslas, from charging challenges to brand loyalty. As tensions rise with Ed's contrasting views, they navigate the latest in autonomous vehicle innovations, emphasizing transparency in the industry's evolution.

Noah Goodall, a traffic safety researcher known for his work on Tesla's safety claims, shares valuable insights on advanced driving assistance systems. He dissects Tesla's assertions about Autopilot's safety, raising concerns about data transparency and crash reporting methods. The complexities of measuring ADAS safety are explored, emphasizing the need for regulatory improvements. Goodall also discusses the ethical dilemmas of using automated technologies in emergency situations and highlights the importance of responsible research in shaping public trust.

Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak Robotics and a veteran of the Google Self-Driving Car program, shares insights on the evolving world of autonomous trucking. He discusses Kodiak's sixth-generation truck and a partnership with Atlas Energy Solutions that enhances off-road capabilities. Burnette also delves into the challenges the industry faces, including consolidation and investor expectations. The conversation touches on the integration of dual-use technologies and the importance of robust machine learning systems in achieving reliability and advancement in autonomous operations.

Patrick Hunt, a former strategy boss at Rivian, joins the discussion on the make-or-break summer for robotaxis. They dive into GM’s cancellation of the Cruise Origin and the challenges facing autonomous vehicles. The conversation touches on the regulatory hurdles GM encounters while seeking exemptions, as well as the fierce competition between Cruise and Waymo. Insights on industry perception vs. public opinion are shared, along with a critique of media narratives around driving automation and the need for better consumer understanding of technology.

Alex Kendall, CEO of Wayve, shares insights on their unique approach to driving automation. They discuss human-like AI behavior, the Human Driving Association, Wayve's recent billion-dollar funding, flexible software stacks, diverse dataset training, and challenges in the autonomous vehicle industry.

Former Coca-Cola archivist and current Ford brand manager, Ted Ryan, discusses the history of fueling in the US. Topics include the evolution of gas stations, historical charging methods for electric vehicles, challenges in EV charging infrastructure development, and the origin of the Ford GT. Learn about the innovative patents and lessons for EVs from past gas engine experiences and the impact of Henry Ford's leadership on Ford's success.

This podcast delves into a variety of recent news, from Tesla's impact on the automotive industry to GM's investment in Cruise. They also discuss AI-first trucking companies, transparency in China's AV development, and the future implications of Amazon's acquisition in the mobility services sector. The conversation touches on competition in the autonomous vehicle industry and the role of robotics in defense projects.

Former fighter pilot and NHTSA consultant, Missy Cummings, discusses driver assistance and autonomous driving safety. Topics include limits of driver assistance tech, challenges of Level Three autonomy, humanoid robots, human factors in AV design, regulatory oversight in remote operations, funding disparities in transportation innovation.

From Tesla's pivoting to self-driving to AI hype fundraising in the mobility tech space, the podcast delves into the challenges of growing up vs. doubling down. Analyzing Supercharging team layoffs, Wayve's billion-dollar funding, and navigating AI hype in autonomous vehicles, the hosts add humor and camaraderie to the discussions.