TechMobility Topics

The question is no longer how the United States can keep Chinese automakers out, but how it should manage their quiet—and growing—presence in the American marketplace. During this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine China-built vehicles already sold here, BYD’s U.S. bus manufacturing operations, and the complicated debate surrounding tariffs, government subsidies, national security, and fair competition. Chinese automotive influence has already reached American roads and factories. The challenge now is to develop a strategy that protects domestic interests without insulating U.S. automakers from the competition driving the global industry forward. 

 A new blood test could help identify apparently healthy older adults who may develop Alzheimer’s symptoms five to ten years later, potentially giving researchers a valuable head start against the disease. For this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine how the test works, why scientists caution that it is not yet ready for routine screening, and the difficult questions early detection may create when effective treatment options remain limited. For millions of families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia—including Lewy body dementia—this research represents meaningful, if still preliminary, progress. 

 The 2026 Honda Pilot Elite combines generous passenger space, thoughtful packaging, and useful technology in a three-row SUV designed for everyday family life. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine its larger digital instrument cluster, updated interface software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and added sound insulation that produces a quieter cabin. But one concern overshadows those improvements: transmission hesitation and unpredictable responses during merging and mid-throttle acceleration. The Pilot Elite is comfortable, capable, and easy to live with—but can drivers trust it to respond confidently when it matters most? 

 Paying to bypass traffic sounds worthwhile—until the express lane returns drivers to the same congestion they paid to avoid. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I take a firsthand look at the pay-to-use HOV lanes on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis, including trip costs, dynamic pricing, plate readers, and roadway sensors. I also examine how the location and design of a bottleneck determine whether congestion pricing produces meaningful time savings or simply generates additional revenue. For commuters, the real choice may be less about paying for speed and more about changing when they travel. 

 Rebuilding American manufacturing requires more than new factories, government incentives, and ambitious announcements. In Part III of the limited series Ramping Up Manufacturing in America, for this episode of TechMobility Topics, I draw from a McKinsey & Company white paper to examine what manufacturers must navigate in today’s operating environment. We explore the interconnected challenges of capital investment, workforce development, technology, supply-chain resilience, production scale, and long-term competitiveness—and why bringing manufacturing back to America demands a coordinated strategy rather than a quick fix. 

With the average new-car payment approaching $800 per month, Experian reports that nearly one in five borrowers is still making payments below $500. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I explain how that seemingly impossible math works, including the roles of credit scores, loan terms, down payments, trade-in equity, incentives, and vehicle choice. I also examine how negative equity can leave some buyers owing more than their vehicles are worth—and why rolling that debt into another loan exposes just how financially fragile today’s auto-financing market has become. 

 What happens when an electric vehicle battery reaches the end of its useful life on the road?  In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I separate fact from fear by examining how retired EV batteries can continue serving in stationary energy-storage systems—and why today’s recycling methods remain chemically intensive, water-intensive, and destructive. I also explore a potentially cleaner solution from Cornell University: direct electrode-to-electrode regeneration. Using a specialized electrochemical bath, researchers can remove the material blocking energy flow and restore up to 95% of a battery’s original capacity, while potentially reducing recycling costs and environmental impact. 

 Chrysler has spent years surviving on aging products and unrealized comeback plans. Now, Stellantis is promising designers greater freedom while using its new STLA 1 platform to reduce complexity, lower costs, accelerate vehicle development, and create more stability for suppliers. During this episode of TechMobility Topics, I examine why those changes could give Chrysler a genuine path forward—and why Stellantis must finally overcome its persistent quality problems. With the Airflow name expected to return on a midsize crossover, this vehicle could become the decisive test of whether Chrysler is truly rebuilding or simply preparing another false start. 

Electric vehicles are changing more than what's under the hood—they're transforming the tires beneath them. For this episode of TechMobility Topics, I explore how tire manufacturers are redesigning tires to handle the unique demands of EVs, from supporting the added weight of large battery packs to withstanding the instant torque delivered by electric motors. We discuss why stronger internal construction, specialized tread compounds, lower rolling resistance, and noise-reducing technologies are becoming essential for maximizing range, improving durability, and maintaining ride comfort. Whether you drive an EV or are considering one, understanding why EV-compatible tires matter could save you money, improve performance, and help you choose the right replacement tires when the time comes. 

 The Colorado River drought has never been just a Western water story—it's an energy and economic challenge with nationwide implications. In this episode of TechMobility Topics, I explain why the growing risk of "dead pool" conditions at Lakes Mead and Powell threatens hydropower generation, what that could mean for electricity costs and grid reliability, and why water and energy organizations are urging Congress to make major investments before the crisis deepens.