#ExploreŠkoda Podcast

The Škoda Superb introduced a series of groundbreaking features in 1934. What were these innovations? Who could afford this car back then? Where in the world was it being driven? And how does it compare to the modern Superb? All of these aspects and much more are discussed by Michal Velebný, the coordinator of the restoration workshop at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav.

Mladá Boleslav, 27 October 2023 – Škoda Auto reports consistent growth throughout the first three quarters of the year, recording positive results across all key financial indicators. The automaker’s operating profit stands at 1.26 billion euros, marking a 47.2% increase compared to the same period last year, while the return on sales increased to 6.4% (2022: 5.6%). A key contributor to this positive trend has been the robust sales performance of the all-electric Enyaq series. Globally, Škoda delivered 642,200 vehicles during this period. At the same time, the automaker is advancing its internationalisation plan: As the strategic leader of the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core in ASEAN, Škoda Auto took the first major step in September by entering the Vietnamese market – a gateway to the entire region.

This article was read by AI-generated voice.

Škoda Storyboard

What do customers like the most about the Škoda Kodiaq? What are the main innovations they can look forward to? For whom is the Škoda Kodiaq the ideal car? What color options will be available for the new Kodiaq? And what new safety features does the Škoda Kodiaq offer? Head of Product Marketing SUV at Škoda Auto Jil – Katharina Mahler has the answers to this and much more.

Head of Interior Desing at Škoda Auto, Peter Olah, along with his team, provide a description of the new Škoda Kodiaq interior down to the last detail. What are the key changes in the vehicle's interior? In what configurations will the interior be available to customers?

Where do the Scala and Kamiq models use recycled materials? What are the main trends in interior design? What will the future of interior design be like in Škoda Auto? Color and Trim Designer in Škoda Auto Caroline Liehr answers all of that and much more.

The latest student car, Škoda Roadiaq, prepared by 29 students from Škoda Academy, is the first electric car within the unique Azubi Car project. This super-modern mobile office features a permanent internet connection, a 27-inch monitor, and a docking station. In a matter of moments, it can transform into a living space with a bed and a kitchenette. What other features have the students incorporated into the car? Talented student Agáta Fraňková and teacher Ivo Vollman in interview.

Where will the development of active safety assistants lead? What are the most significant innovations in this field? We thoroughly discussed all of this with ŠKODA Auto experts at the test centre at the Polygon site in Úhelnice, and they also had the opportunity to experience individual stations firsthand. What is it like, for instance, when a car is being driven by a robot and comes to a halt just before a pedestrian or cyclist?

How can we boost sustainability in the automotive industry? This podcast will not be about petrolheads and EV drivers locking horns. Instead, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the materials the cars are made of – both inside and out. In line with circular economy principles, the EKX department at Škoda Auto is looking for new materials – from interior details made of biomaterials, which are still in the early prototype phase, to the bumper-to-bumper project, which is almost production-ready and involves used bumpers being recycled from the scrapyard.

The guests on this episode are Lukáš Zuzánek and Dalibor Kopáč from this department. In collaboration with the Prototype Center and Design department, they have built a special show car – a demonstrator. It’s actually a fourth-generation Octavia with some doors and sections cut away – check out the YT version of the podcast to see it. It allows you to see into the car and examine the tested materials close-up. I jumped at the opportunity to take a look and asked Lukáš Zuzánek and Dalibor Kopáč to record this podcast while we were sitting next to the demonstrator. 

Could cars signal to pedestrians at the crosswalk that they are slowing down? So they can cross safely? Listen to today's SIMPLY CLEVER PODCAST!

In the last episode, we discussed the IPA2X autonomous robot that stops cars approaching a crossing so people can cross safely. The Škoda car company also took part in the project financed by the European Union. It also developed a special mask for the Enyaq iV car with an HMI interface. Instead of a so-called crystal face, this prototype Enyaq has an LED screen, which can, for example, show pedestrians that they can cross safely. And in today's SIMPLY CLEVER PODCAST, we will focus, among other things, on how similar communication between the car and the environment might work and why the current legislation does not allow it.

The IPA2X robot can be thought of as an intelligent assistant for pedestrians – an autonomous rover aimed at improving safety at crossings, for example, for children, people with mobility issues and all pedestrians. It has two main parts: The base, or if you will, a chassis with wheels driven by electric motors. On the two-meter pole is the second part of the robot, basically its brain, LiDAR, and cameras, thanks to which it can recognize objects in its surroundings, mainly approaching vehicles. This head also has an HMI, i.e., screens that signal to drivers and pedestrians. In addition, the vehicle can communicate with the approaching car, for example, through its infotainment system.

Put simply, it’s an intelligent, moving traffic light – you can see it in the video version of this podcast on the Škoda YouTube channel or on skoda-storyboard.com. This rover was developed by two Italian startups, Hipert and Lifetouch. Škoda Auto is also involved: The company even created a special mask for the Enyaq iV that can give signals to pedestrians. Prague’s CTU helped with the communication aspect between the rover and vehicles or unique applications. The entire EU-funded project is managed by the Technical University of Munich – and we’ll be discussing it in more detail in today’s SIMPLY CLEVER PODCAST.

The IPA2X project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
EIT Urban Mobility acts to accelerate positive change on mobility to make urban
spaces more liveable. Learn more: eiturbanmobility.eu