SAE Tomorrow Today

The most polite driver on the road might soon be an L4 AV truck.

.

Torc Robotics is the first company developing the technology to commercialize fully autonomous semi-trucks in the U.S. for long-haul applications. By running extensive simulations with the best and most experienced truck drivers in the world, Torc’s self-driving vehicle software and integration solution is expected to achieve L4 automation by the end of this decade. 

.

As an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, the Torc system uses an approach called See-Think-Act to calculate the optimal driving decision. By employing veteran truck drivers to reinforce their technology with real world know-how, Torc is truly making the road a safer place.

.

We sat down with Tim Zuercher, VP Engineering – Autonomy at Torc, to discuss the company’s mission to reduce highway deaths, enable critical supplies, and help the transportation industry increase fuel economy, uptime, and capacity.

.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Machines that see and understand the world around them? It’s possible with depthsensing technology that maps surroundings, objects, and people more reliably and in more detail than ever before.

.

Leading this charge is Sony Depthsensing Solutions whose Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology give machines the ability to see accurately in real-time in 3D by establishing the distance between the camera and multiple points on the subject surface. From mobile phones to smart homes to industrial robots, the possibilities for this technology are expanding into everyday life.

.

From an automotive perspective, Sony’s vision for car safety integrates advanced imaging and sensing technologies (RADAR, LiDAR and Camera) to deliver a 360 degree “safety cocoon” for faster responses to potential dangers and obstacles on the road. Gesture control and in-cabin monitoring help drivers stay focused on the road and can differentiate between people and objects in the car.

. 

To learn more about this game-changing technology, we sat down with Daniël Van Nieuwenhove, President, Sony Depthsensing Solutions, to discuss how the company’s applications can be used across industries and the importance of creating a safer and more immersive experience on the road.

 .

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

. 

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

From AVs to EVs, the future of mobility is not a go-it-alone journey. To get ahead, more and more companies are realizing the advantages to establishing complementary partnerships.

.

Given current market conditions, M&A activity is anticipated to heat up and new partnerships will likely be formed, alongside new alliances. But why do some partnerships fail and others succeed? Ultimately, it’s about trust and a shared vision based on market realities.

.

Using history as his guide, Grayson Brulte, Host of SAE Tomorrow Today, provides real-life examples and discusses the importance of partnerships in advancing the future of mobility.

.

Have your own thoughts on this topic? We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, questions or ideas for future topics with Grayson on Twitter or send them to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Planning a road trip in your EV? You may be worried about charging station reliability. But one company is boosting EV charging uptime, improving consumer confidence, and advancing economic mobility.

.

ChargerHelp! is a technology company committed to preparing workers from all backgrounds to diagnose and repair the wide range of unique EV charging technologies on the market today through their scalable safety and training curriculum. The company recently partnered with SAE to develop standards around an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) technician certification program that helps underutilized, high-performing professionals overcome the skills gap. This partnership was highlighted in a recent press release from the White House on new standards and progress for a made-in-America national network of EV chargers.

.

We sat down with founders Kameale C. Terry, Chief Executive Officer, and Evette Ellis, Chief Workforce Officer, and Frank Menchaca, President, SAE Sustainable Mobility Solutions, to learn how ChargerHelp! is bridging the gap between technology, policy, and workforce development to support mass EV adoption and arm individuals with the skills they need to succeed in the new green economy.

.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

. 

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

As the birthplace of the automotive industry and the home of several aviation firsts, Michigan offers unique advantages to the rapidly expanding space economy.

.

To make the most of this opportunity, the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) has convened three public-private partnerships: the Michigan Launch Initiative, Space-Enabled Communications for Advanced Mobility, and the Mid-America Hypersonic Suborbital Test Range. These programs provide a collaborative platform for public-private partners to support satellite launch capabilities, test commercial and national security applications, and expand 5G connectivity, among other opportunities.

.

We sat down with Gavin P. Brown, Executive Director, MAMA, to discuss these exciting initiatives and learn how the organization is positioning Michigan as a leader in all phases of aerospace manufacturing—from tool and die all the way through final assembly—by leaning on the state’s rich automotive and aviation history.

.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

When the rubber hits the road, one tire company stands out among the rest. From raw material traceability to supply chain transparency, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is not only helping to do what’s good for business, but what’s good for the planet.

.

Driven by an ambitious sustainability strategy, Goodyear has set goals to develop a tire made of 100% sustainable materials by 2030 and using only renewable energy in its manufacturing facilities and operations by 2040. The company is even working to develop a domestic source of natural rubber from a specific species of dandelion in collaboration with the Department of Defense, the Air Force Research Lab, BioMADE and Farmed Materials.

. 

To learn more about Goodyear’s impressive sustainability journey, we sat down with Ellis Jones, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. He discusses the company’s uniquely strong culture, the importance of working collaboratively with small farms, and the development of new sustainable tire materials.

.

You’ll even get a glimpse into the future with intelligent tires that enable fleets to identify and address problems in real time—and learn how Goodyear is evolving its products as EVs and AVs hit the road.

 .

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

The success of future mobility solutions is defined by one thing: convenience.

.

In our first “unplugged” edition, Grayson Brulte, Host of SAE Tomorrow Today, shares his candid take on what’s holding us back from a future that’s both electric and autonomous—and what can be done to change it. 

.

From his experiences traveling to Disney World in an EV to visiting the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Grayson breaks down the importance of building a reliable infrastructure and creating a consumer experience that’s both scalable and practical.

.

Have your own thoughts on this topic? We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, questions or ideas for future topics with Grayson on Twitter or send them to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Picture this: An eco-friendly, zero-occupant AV that delivers items like groceries and prescriptions to your doorstep—all while prioritizing the safety of others. Leading AV company Nuro is doing just that.

.

By transforming local commerce with goods-focused AV delivery solutions, Nuro is saving consumers valuable time while striving to make streets safer and cities more livable. The hardware, software, and behavior of Nuro’s custom autonomous delivery vehicles are designed to prioritize the safety, even earning the company a first-of-its-kind autonomous vehicle exemption from the US Dept of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as the first commercial deployment permit in the state of California.

.

From delivering packages for FedEx, pizza from Domino’s, and groceries from Kroger, Nuro’s integrated partnerships are a huge piece of its growth strategy. The company has also signed a 10-year partnership with Uber and piloted autonomous local delivery for communities in Texas, Arizona, and California.

.

We sat down with Petch Jirapinyo, Head of Commercialization at Nuro, to discuss the company’s innovative technology, strong partnerships, and successful go-to-market strategy. It’s an insightful conversation that offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous delivery.

.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

From market consolidation to economic downturns, the mobility industry is facing many twists and turns.

.

When it comes to the AV market, there’s a lot to unpack. From strategy to capital flow to the media’s impact on potential investments, the financial state of the public and private AV market—and what the future holds for autonomy—is top of mind for stakeholders and consumers.

 .

For insight into these trends, we sat down with Mark Gottfredson, Partner at Bain & Company, a leading global consultancy firm. As a 30-year Bain veteran and co-head of the Americas Automotive & Mobility practice, Mark discusses the perception of the AV industry, investor confidence in the sector, the impact of inflation, and what happens if we go into a recession.

.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Don't miss 2023's most-watched episode of SAE Tomorrow Today!

.

From geopolitical pressures to the shunning of fossil fuels, there is no question the current state of energy in the US and globally is a mess. One possible answer? An “all of the above” approach.

.

For candid insight into this topic, we sat down with Mark P. Mills, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a faculty fellow at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Mark served in the White House Science Office under President Reagan and subsequently provided science and technology policy counsel to a variety of private-sector firms, the Department of Energy, and U.S. research laboratories. He began his career as an experimental physicist and development engineer in microprocessors and fiber optics.

.

As part of this wide-ranging discussion, Mark shares his views on the need for hydrocarbon, the instability of the grid, energy’s relationship to inflation, the US dependance on China, and why there should be a holistic approach to the world’s energy needs.

.

Mark is author of the book The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will Unleash the Next Economic Boom and a Roaring 2020s and host of the new podcast The Last Optimist. He is also author of Digital Cathedrals (2020), and Work in the Age of Robots (2018). His articles have been published widely, including in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, and Real Clear. Mills has appeared as a guest on CNN, Fox, NBC, PBS, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has testified before Congress numerous times, and briefed state public-service commissions and legislators.

.

We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.

.

Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.