Ride AI

By Oliver Bruce and Horace Dediu

The Ride AI podcast presents cutting-edge insights and meaningful conversations with the world’s top mobility technology leaders so that you learn hard-won lessons of investment and innovation.

Ride... more

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FAQs about Ride AI:

How many episodes does Ride AI have?

The podcast currently has 308 episodes available.

Ride AI episodes:

December 06, 2023 Sharing the Road with Robots w/ Ed Niedermeyer and Waymo
With more Americans dying in car crashes than at any point since the 1970s, the data increasingly shows robotaxis make cities safe for micromobility. Edward Niedermeyer talks to @Waymo about how AVs can help eliminate the dangers of human driving, at Micromobility America 2024.
Highlights
🚗 The panel discusses the progress and ongoing evolution of road sharing in San Francisco, noting the city's move towards being more cyclist-friendly.
👥 The guests all share their individual experiences as cyclists around San Francisco, highlighting the importance of infrastructure and social norms for cyclist safety.
🌆 Each panelist emphasizes the variability of driving conditions between different cities, such as the contrast between Phoenix's car-centric suburbs and San Francisco's diverse road users.
💻 Team members from Waymo explain their roles in automating driving tasks that we often do subconsciously, such as perceiving our surroundings and planning our route.- 🤖 Edward Niedermeyer notes that robots are not entitled to anything. Instead, autonomous vehicles must respect human needs and find their space in society.
🚙 The discussion addresses the shift from Waymo operating primarily in Phoenix to its activities in San Francisco, while noting their strong track record so far.
🚴‍♂️ The panelists stress the need for autonomous vehicles to have hyper-awareness of their surroundings, particularly in relation to vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
...more
38min
November 21, 2023 FDNY, CPSC, USDOT: Electric Bike/Scooter Batteries, Fires, Deliveries and Safety: What Are the Real Issues?
At Micromobility America 2023, policymakers and fire-safety experts discuss why li-ion batteries in ebikes and scooters are suddenly catching on fire and how cities can minimize the risk
- Panelists include Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA), Jason Levine, the Executive Director of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Laura Kavanagh, the FDNY Fire Commissioner.
- The discussion focuses on the challenges and safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries in micromobility vehicles, particularly in densely populated areas like New York City.
- Commissioner Kavanagh highlights the unique challenges faced by the FDNY in a delivery-intensive city like New York, including issues with battery charging and swapping
- Deputy Administrator Brown emphasizes that the problem extends beyond micromobility and is related to the misuse of batteries in general.
- The discussion also touches on the underground economy surrounding battery charging, DIY conversion kits and the need for safety regulations and certifications.
- The panelists express the importance of public safety and innovation coexisting and working towards safe solutions.
...more
47min
November 17, 2023 Solé Bicycles from College Fixie in the Dorm Room to their New Electric Lineup
Fresh off Micromobility America, James Gross talks with Jimmy Standley, the Co-Founder and CEO of Solé Bicycles. Solé Bicycles was founded in 2009, with the initial concept being a class project to create affordable bicycles, specifically aiming for a price tag of $200-$300. They subsequently won an Alibaba business plan competition, and used the $25,000 grant won to create their first product. They sold their products directly to customers, offering a high-quality product at a competitive price. They used the Shopify platform early on, and utilized digital marketing strategies on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to grow their business. The brand focuses on being relevant culturally, collaborating with various DJs and other artists for special products and promotions.
Highlights
🎓 The idea for Solé Bicycles began as a college business plan project to create affordable fixed-gear bikes.
💡 Winning a business plan competition sponsored by Alibaba, they received a $25,000 grant to start their business.
🌍 Initial struggles included direct dealings with manufacturers in China and rapidly scaling the business.
📈 The company's focus on vibrant, artistic designs helped them break into the market and attract customers.
🚲 Solé Bicycles diversified into direct-to-consumer sales, online marketing, and various collaborations.
💻 Early adoption of Shopify and leveraging social media platforms like Instagram played a key role in their growth.
🛠️ Future plans include expanding into electric bikes while maintaining their core in acoustic bikes.
...more
38min
November 07, 2023 ⚡️Swifty Scooters: Micromobility America Startup Award Winners and their newest scooter, the G500
Meet Jason and Camilla Iftakhar of Swifty Scooters. Swifty Scooters is an innovative micromobility company that specilizes in foldable and portable scooters for adults. James Gross talks with Jason and Camila about winning the Startup Awards at Micromobility America 2023 and their brand new electric Scooter, the G500.
You can see their Startup Awards pitch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKQrqI04mM
Highlights of the Talk
🔋 Swifty Scooters are powered by a LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) battery that can cover a range of 25km and assure the rider that these batteries won't catch fire in or around their home or work.
🏙️ These scooters are ideal for adults commuting in urban areas.
🛴 Convenient features such as adjustable handlebars, low center of gravity and a kickstand enhance maneuverability and add ons for paneers and other storage capabilities.
💦 Mudguards are added to keep the ride clean.
🎒 Thanks to their foldable design, these scooters are portable and easy to store.
...more
57min
November 03, 2023 Lectric and Levi Conlow: The Largest Electric Bike Company in the USA
At Micromobility America, James Gross and Levi Conlow, CEO of Electric Bikes, discuss the company's rapid growth to become the #1 ebike seller in the US. He also shared insights into the ebike market, Lectric's DTC strategy, plans for new products, and the need for industry regulation while also being concern with some of the current legislation being pushed.

🚲 Lectric sells over 150,000 electric vehicles annually, that is more than any US vehicle company besides Tesla
📈 Despite industry downturn, Lectric still seeing double digit growth
⚙️ Focused on high quality, low cost bikes rather than maximizing margins
🛒 Committed to DTC as it provides valuable customer feedback
🆕 Excited about upcoming partnerships and new wider wheelbase models
🤝 Sees need for more industry regulation to protect consumers
🫂 With influence comes responsibility - brands can drive positive change
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24min
October 26, 2023 Meet Ryvid's CEO, Dong Tran and their new electric motorcycle being built out of their California HQ
Ryvid's CEO, Dong Tran, discusses the advancements and goals of the company in building electric motorcycles at their California HQ. He emphasizes local manufacturing, funding from the state of California, and innovative design techniques that allow for easier production and assembly. Tran also highlights the importance of shifting public perception about two-wheel transportation and the potential benefits of electric bikes in urban commuting.
Highlights
📍 Ryvid is currently based in California, having moved into a new R&D facility in Orange County. They've also secured bigger facilities for ramped-up production and retail in Hawaiian Gardens.
💰 Ryvid secured a $20 million grant from the state of California, emphasizing local manufacturing and job creation.
🛠 Dong shares a unique folding metal technique for constructing their motorcycles, which simplifies the assembly process and reduces labor requirements.
🌍 While many companies are looking to offshore manufacturing, Ryvid and similar companies are reshoring, emphasizing the importance of local production and job creation in the US.
🚲 The "Anthem" motorcycle's design aims to bridge the gap between traditional motorcycles and electric bikes. The goal is to simplify operation, eliminating barriers like manual shifting.
🏙 The ideal use case for the "Anthem" is urban commuting, even though it's built to keep up with highway traffic speeds when necessary. The focus is on affordable EV transportation for shorter, urban commutes.
🏍️ The company designed its product to handle speeds of 45-75 mph safely, ensuring consumer protection.
🚘 Motorcycles can be a solution to modern infrastructure challenges, especially in congested areas like Southern California.
⚡ The trend with electric vehicles is moving towards smaller, more efficient designs, with some motorcycles achieving an efficiency of about 60 watt per mile.
🏙️ The company's motorcycle is designed to fit both urban and higher-speed road environments.
🔧 The challenge with modified e-bikes is they aren't built to handle higher speeds, leading to breakdowns and safety concerns.
📜 Licensing requirements and insurance concerns are barriers to widespread adoption, but education on safe riding practices is vital.
🚗 The integration of autonomous vehicles, like Teslas, brings both promise and uncertainty for two-wheel riders on the road.
🏍️ Dong addresses the concern of electric vehicles not recognizing motorcycles and the associated risks.
✈️ There's a comparison of trusting technology in planes vs cars, with computers communicating being potentially safer.
🛣️ Dong stresses on the importance of product design for specific road types – urban vs. highway.
⚡ The potential for geofencing capabilities in electric motorcycles to adapt to specific lane speed limits is also talked about.
🎤 James and Dong preview their participation at Micromobility America, including demos and discussions.
...more
37min
October 23, 2023 VMAX: Bringing the Swiss Scooter to the United States and Launching at Micromobility America
Offer and Giveaway
Enter for your chance to win a new VMAX VX2 at RideReview.com https://ridereview.com/giveaway/win-a-xmax-vx2-pro-electric-scooter-usd1-099-value
Video Summary
Dani Horwitz, CEO of VMAX, discusses the company's journey and mission to provide high-quality electric scooters with a focus on safety and reliability for the US market.
Highlights
🛴 Vmax Mobility, a Swiss-based company, is expanding to the US with high-quality, reliable scooters.
🏞️ The scooters are designed for a wide range of users, offering reliability and performance for everyday use.
🏆 Vmax prioritizes safety with UL certification and built-in safety features going after some of the bigger barriers to scooter adoption.
🚴‍♂️ The company aims to appeal to those considering e-bikes, providing a smaller and more eco-friendly alternative.
📊 Negative news and safety concerns are barriers to scooter adoption, which Vmax aims to address with its quality and safety measures.
📈 Studies suggest that scooters may be safer than e-bikes, challenging common safety perceptions.
...more
26min
October 17, 2023 Land Energy is Helping Define What You Want From an Electric Two Wheel Vehicle
Offer and Giveaway
Micromobility America is right around the corner. You can get your tickets to the show here and be one of the first to ride the Land Disctrict! https://micromobility.io/events/micromobility-america
Enter for your chance to win a new Lectric Lite at RideReview.com https://ridereview.com/giveaway/win-a-lectric-lite-with-commuter-bundle
Summary
James Gross and Scott Colosimo, the founder and CEO of Land Energy, covers the company's origin, evolution, and its focus on electric motorcycles. With his background in Cleveland and previous experience in manufacturing motorcycles, Colosimo is now planning to bring manufacturing back to Cleveland, focusing on electric bikes, which they initially started producing under Cleveland CycleWorks brand. The decision to shift to electric motorcycles came naturally, aligning with the market's readiness and the company's desire to move away from China due to IP theft and growing tensions between the two countries. Currently, Land Energy is looking at the usability of motorcycles and focusing on innovation and improvement in manufacturing and product design. The ultimate question comes down to what Scott and his team are building, with 4 modes the current vehicle can be everything from an ebike to a moped to a performance motorcycle. This creates challenges and questions around regulation, technology and what is the safest for the driver.
Emoji Summary
🏍 Scott started Cleveland CycleWorks to make affordable, customizable motorcycles in 2009
🇨🇳 He initially manufactured in China due to availability of eager young partners and 24/7 work ethic during manufacturing boom
🦠 COVID caused supply chain issues, so he pivoted to electric vehicles made in the US under Land Energy
⚡ Land Energy makes the District, an electric vehicle platform with software-defined ride modes from bicycle to motorcycle
🤖 The flexible platform introduces new riders safely and rethinks mobility between categories defined by outdated laws
🚦 Cities and laws aren't keeping pace with new electric mobility, creating confusion Scott aims to be part of the regulatory solution
💰 After bootstrapping, Land raised a $7M Series A to scale manufacturing of their connected battery platform
🛵 Scott wants to bend the metal to balance innovation and safety for new electric mobility platforms
...more
48min
October 14, 2023 Exclusive: Launch of the P1 from Infinite Machine
Offer and Giveaway
Micromobility America is right around the corner. You can get your tickets to the show here and be one of the first to ride the P1! https://micromobility.io/events/micromobility-america
Enter for your chance to win a new Lectric Lite at RideReview.com https://ridereview.com/giveaway/win-a-lectric-lite-with-commuter-bundle
Summary
Today we have the exclusive launch of the P1 from Joseph and Eddie Cohen. The P1 is a new electric moped designed by start-up Infinite Machine to be fast, fun, and practical for urban transportation. It has a powerful motor, removable batteries, and tech features like wireless CarPlay. With its striking sculptural design, the P1 aims to make electric vehicles inspiring. Preorders are now open, with priority delivery for the first 100 units. The founders see it as part of their mission to reimagine vehicles and reduce car dependence in cities.
Emoji Bullets
🙂 Launch of the P1 electric moped from Infinite Machine
🛵 Brothers Joseph and Eddie Cohen started Infinite Machine to create the perfect electric city vehicle
📱 P1 has a fast 6KW motor, removable batteries, carplay, and a modular design
🚘 Inspired by automotive brands to create a beautiful, sculptural vehicle
💨 Accelerates quickly with a turbo boost button - designed to make you smile
🔋 Removable batteries allow charging without needing garage
🎧 Built-in speakers and navigation audio for safety
💵 $10,000 MSRP - preorders open today
🏍 First 100 units get priority delivery for $5,000 deposit
👪 Owners become part of an exclusive club with perks and membership
🚲 Different from e-bikes: faster, street legal, and can be left locked outside
🔋 UL certification on batteries for safety
🛣 Able to keep up with cars on roads up to 55mph
🎨 Distinctive anodized metal finish in silver or black
🌎 Plans to expand with more vehicles and global showrooms
🚘 Mission is to rethink vehicles and reduce cars for better cities
...more
36min
October 12, 2023 The Future of Delivery is with Robots
Offers and Giveaways
Micromobility America is right around the corner. You can get your tickets to the show here: https://micromobility.io/events/micromobility-america
Enter for your chance to win a new Lectric Lite at RideReview.com https://ridereview.com/giveaway/win-a-lectric-lite-with-commuter-bundle
Summary
James Gross talked with Ain McKendrick the Founder and CEO of Faction about how the future of delivery is evolving with Faction, offering new opportunities and advancements in the industry. Faction provides driverless delivery vehicles for last mile logistics by combining autonomous technology with remote human assistance. In the conversation, Ain discusses Faction's focus on short 3-5 mile repetitive delivery routes for commercial users like bakeries and retailers. He explains how Faction works with light electric vehicle OEMs to incorporate their driverless tech on the production line. McKendrick notes they have operated legally in states with supportive regulations like Nevada, Arizona, Texas. Faction recently raised an extension funding round from TDK Ventures to help scale their delivery fleets in 2024, with plans to partner with national retailers and food brands. Faction won Micromobility America's Riders Choice Award in 2023 for autonomy and robotics.
Highlights
🚚 Faction provides driverless delivery vehicles combining autonomy and remote human assistance
📦 Focus on short 3-5 mile repetitive last mile logistics routes for commercial users
🤝 Works with light electric vehicle OEMs to incorporate driverless tech
🚦 Has operated legally in states with supportive regulations
💰 Raised extension round from TDK Ventures to scale fleets in 2024
🤝 Looking to partner with national retailers and food brands
🏆 Won Micromobility America's Riders Choice Award in 2023
...more
42min

FAQs about Ride AI:

How many episodes does Ride AI have?

The podcast currently has 308 episodes available.

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