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It’s Tuesday, Kyle’s back, and we’re ready to hit the ground running after the Labor Day holiday. Today we’re talking about data that suggests Tesla might rig its robotaxi debut, how the Oakland School District went EV with its buses and ask whether you should use LinkedIn’s “Open To Work” banner.

Show Notes with links:

• Tesla is set to unveil its highly anticipated robotaxi at the the iconic 110-acre Warner Bros. lot in Burbank CA, on October 10. This event marks a significant shift in Tesla's focus towards autonomy and artificial intelligence.
  • Tesla aims to demonstrate its purpose-built robotaxi, highlighting a move away from traditional EV sales.
  • The robotaxi will be part of Tesla's proprietary ride-hailing app, featuring both robotaxis and autonomous consumer cars.
  • This event was initially planned for August 8 but was postponed due to design changes and prototype delays.
  • Tesla hacker “Green” has revealed that Tesla is gathering specific data around the Warner Bros. studio where it plans to unveil its Robotaxi, raising concerns that the company might stage a demonstration similar to a controversial 2016 Autopilot video that was pre-mapped and optimized.
  • There is speculation that Tesla might opt for a geo-fenced operation for its Robotaxi, similar to Waymo and Cruise, which would be a departure from its original vision of a fully autonomous system that can operate anywhere.

• Oakland Unified School District has made history by deploying the nation's first fully electric school bus fleet equipped with Vehicle-to-Grid bi-directional charging technology, signaling a major step forward in sustainable student transportation.
  • The fleet of 74 buses will return 2.1 gigawatt hours of energy to the grid annually via an AI-managed Virtual Power Plant.
  • This initiative is expected to eliminate 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases, addressing decades of toxic diesel emissions, reducing the community's exposure to harmful pollutants and improving student health.
  • Student transportation is the largest mass transit system in the U.S., carrying 27 million students every day.
  • "This is a landmark achievement, especially in Oakland, where families are disproportionately impacted by exposure to air pollution and high rates of asthma," said Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell, Superintendent of OUSD.

• Job seekers face a tough choice with LinkedIn's "Open to Work" banner with polarized opinions.
  • Launched in 2020, the banner aims to increase visibility to recruiters but sparks debate.
  • Some view it as helpful, while others worry it signals weakness or desperation.
  • Recruiters are divided: some seek out candidates with the banner, while others fear it indic

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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