In this episode of the PAVECast, we interview Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Tune in to hear President Riccobono's insights on the history of NFB, the advocacy work they do for blind individuals, and how autonomous vehicles can help create more accessible mobility options. 

President Riccobono also shares the origins of the Blind Driver Challenge, a project initiated by NFB in 2004 to explore the possibility of creating technology that would allow blind individuals to drive independently. We discuss the evolution from blind drivers to driverless cars, and the importance of including blind individuals in the development and testing of AV technology to ensure authenticity and effectiveness.
 
Learn more about the NFB: https://nfb.org/

Autonomous Vehicles are increasingly benefiting from artificial intelligence (AI) for AI-driven perception, situational awareness, and decision-making components.

Nevertheless, AI may demonstrate unfairness, bias, and sensitivity to unexpected inputs. Developing transparent and reliable AI stands as the next imperative in technology evolution, encompassing crucial attributes like robustness, privacy, explainability, accountability, and ethics.

Join us for a stimulating discussion on autonomous mobility and AI where we discuss building trust beyond the hype. We'll delve into the heart of the technological revolution reshaping transportation as we explore the intersection of autonomous mobility and artificial intelligence.

Guests Include:
Margriet van Schijndel – de Nooij,  Eindhoven University of Technology
Bernhard Lambernd, PwC

Join us for a conversation with Jessica Johnston, Senior Director at the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Tune in for insights on aging, independence, equity, and NCOA's role in supporting older adults through these changes. We also discuss how AV technology and advancements in transportation could positively impact the lives of older adults.

Learn more about NCOA: https://www.ncoa.org/

Across the globe, there has been a push toward electric vehicles, and for good reason: EVs are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than their internal combustion engine counterparts. In recognition of Earth Month, this PAVECast explores how electrification can help automated vehicles create a more sustainable transportation system.

Guests include:
Avery Ash, Executive Director, Coalition for Reimagined Mobility
Spencer Reeder, Director of Governmental Affairs and Sustainability, Audi of America
Hilary Cain, Senior Vice President of Policy, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

Taking place April 22-25 in Phoenix, AZ, the ITS America Conference & Expo brings together leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss new technologies that will enable safer, greener, and smarter transportation solutions.

Ahead of this month's event, we caught up with ITS America's President & CEO, Laura Chace. Tune in to hear about the organization's history, what trends Laura is currently seeing in the industry, conference themes and demonstrations, and more.

Register for the ITS America Conference & Expo: https://www.itsamericaevents.com/expo/en-us.html

Book a demo with PAVE & May Mobility: https://pavecampaign.org/its-2024

When a vehicle drives autonomously, it's typically using high definition maps to localize within its environment. But what if the car loses connectivity and access to maps? Or construction zones alter the accuracy of the maps?

Imagry, an autonomous driving company and PAVE member, has a solution to these questions. The company provides HD-mapless and hardware-agnostic software solutions for autonomous driving that can be integrated into both passenger vehicles and buses.

Join us for a conversation with Imagry CEO Eran Ofir as we discuss the history of Imagry, the benefits of their HD-mappless approach, and what's in store for the future of automated driving.

To learn more about Imagry, visit https://imagry.co/ 

goMARTI (Minnesota's Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative) is an on-demand autonomous shuttle project located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, that was created to explore accessibility-focused public transportation in rural communities. The program provides free on-demand rides using automated May Mobility shuttles.

This PAVECast discusses the importance of accessibility in public transit, successful collaboration between government and industry stakeholders, accessibility beyond AVs, and more.

Guests include:
Tammy Meehan Russel, President, The Plum Catalyst
Tara Olds, Director, Connected & Automated Vehicles, MnDOT
Mychael Mulhern, Director, Customer Success, May Mobility

On this episode of the PAVECast, we interview Moran David, CEO of GPR, and Diek Neurdenburg, CEO of BTG Positioning Systems, on their new partnership in seaport automation. Moran and Diek discuss the challenges with traditional positioning systems, the benefits of automating seaport operations, and the broader impact of automation on safety and efficiency.

To learn more about BTG and GPR, visit their respective websites below:
https://btg-positioning-systems.com/
https://gpr.com/

Today, most autonomous trucking companies in the U.S. are operating in Texas, and several have announced they will start running driverless routes in the state by the end of 2024. In this part 2 discussion, we dive deeper into the burgeoning AV industry in Texas, including a look at what these new technologies mean for first responders and the workforce.

Guests include:
Adam Campbell, Senior Manager, Safety Innovation and Impact at Gatik
Bart Teeter, Captain at Texas Highway Patrol
Zeke Reyna, Emerging Technology Portfolio Project Manager at TxDOT

Can we deploy AVs in public transportation this decade in Europe? Join us for a PAVECast on this topic featuring esteemed speakers from the EU funded project ULTIMO and captivating demonstrations from Geneva, the Oslo region, and Munich. 

Delving into the intersection of regulatory challenges, technology, and business, our discussion will explore the pivotal role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in revolutionizing public transit. From discussing the European AV industry's competitiveness vis-à-vis China to dissecting the challenges and opportunities in AV adoption for transport operators, our experts will offer invaluable insights. 

Guests include:
Christian Willoch, Executive Advisor, Radical Innovation - Ruter As 
Dimitri Konstantas, Professor at University of Geneva
Mara Cole, Team lead Mobility – Bayern Innovativ GmbH