Testing 1, 2, 3

History is filled with examples of inventions that people thought would be transformational, then turned out to be nothing but a fad. This week, we will speak with two inventors, Dean Kamen and Kevin Cho, who have developed world-changing technology. We’ll talk about how test was crucial in their contribution to innovation, and how they overcame challenges within the invention and testing process.

Never has technology so dramatically changed humankind than in the last century. This week, we discuss how diversity in technology and rigorous test can help drive innovation.

This week, we welcome two people who used test and measurement to stop the spread of COVID and provide an effective and simple solution for consumers. Scientist Harmony Douwes and Senior Test Systems Engineer Ruchira Gunatillake join us to talk about the Australian-based company Ellume’s groundbreaking work. They discuss creating the test, the efficacy rates of the test, and how they involve testing as part of the production process.

The future of mobility is coming fast, but there are a couple of bumps on the road. To better prepare for the future, we need to understand what the potential risks are, and how to manage them. This week, we focus on how testing can help us get around more safely, and provide a more environmental form of transportation.

Big Data has the potential to answer many of life’s biggest questions, bring new products to market, and reduce costs for already existing inventions. However, without the right testing, this is just an unmanageable amount of data with nowhere to apply it. This episode welcomes Mike Santori from NI and Jennifer Stirrup of Data Relish to talk about best practices in data testing, how big data can help us, and why clean and accurate data is important to business.

We know 5G as this super fast wireless network that some experts say will drive innovation in manufacturing, transportation, and other industries that might not even exist yet. There is a lot of hope for 5G and testing will play a critical role in getting it into our lives. This week, we explore the role testing plays in this 5G with Clarke Ryan, Senior Director of Product Development from Spirent,  and Alexandra Hussenot, Founder of Immersionn.

When you are bound for the moon, there are thousands of “gee, glad we tested this” moments during any and all stages of space flight. This week, the episode focuses on NASA’s rocket test of the mid 20th century, including a few of NASA’s big wins in history, and biggest losses. To help us, we welcome Amy Shira Teitel, author, space flight historian, and host of the YouTube series “The Vintage Space.”

Ram Mirwani, Director of Business Development ADAS for Konrad Technologies, and Daniel Riedelbauch, Principal Solutions Marketing Manager in Automotive at NI, are here to explain how we test self-driving cars for every scenario, and moreover - how to teach AI to make human - even ethical decisions about how to react in emergency situations. Self Driving Cars are coming to a road near you. At some point.

Welcome to the first episode of Testing 1-2-3, a new podcast from NI, where we speak to engineers, experts, and those on the forefront of some of the world’s biggest inventions and possibilities, to look at the world around us from the lens of testing. In the first episode, we explore how we created a modern world complete with appliances, automobiles, and aircrafts ready for everyday use and consumption. We know rigorous and repeated testing is important, but what happens when things go wrong?

You drive your car, travel by plane, listen to music, read about the Mars Rover. And none of it would be possible without the constant evolution of test technologies. In this series, we'll connect you to tech leaders discussing some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.