#30: The Greatest Show In Cars. And Trucks. And Energy. And Convenience Stores.
The latest in a long line of Tesla events was perhaps the most dramatic spectacle the world of automobiles has seen in decades. This week Kirsten explains what it was like to experience the even in person, while Ed and Alex fight over what it all means. Does it make sense for Tesla to build a Semi? Does it matter that they have never delivered on the promise of 100% solar Superchargers? Is it even possible for a car to accelerate from zero to sixty in under two seconds?
The latest in a long line of Tesla events was perhaps the most dramatic spectacle the world of automobiles has seen in decades. This week Kirsten explains what it was like to experience the even in person, while Ed and Alex fight over what it all means. Does it make sense for Tesla to build a Semi? Does it matter that they have never delivered on the promise of 100% solar Superchargers? Is it even possible for a car to accelerate from zero to sixty in under two seconds?
#29: Self-Driving Cars Are (Actually) Here!
As Kirsten predicted on the last episode, Waymo is indeed deploying actual driverless cars that people will actually be able to get rides in (if they live in the Phoenix area). This week the gang discusses this momentous development, as well as the recent crash involving a driverless shuttle in Las Vegas. Also, we're soliciting suggestions for LA Auto Show/Automobility coverage... but we don't yet have a contact email set up. Please tweet us your suggestions for now @TheAutonocast.
As Kirsten predicted on the last episode, Waymo is indeed deploying actual driverless cars that people will actually be able to get rides in (if they live in the Phoenix area). This week the gang discusses this momentous development, as well as the recent crash involving a driverless shuttle in Las Vegas. Also, we're soliciting suggestions for LA Auto Show/Automobility coverage... but we don't yet have a contact email set up. Please tweet us your suggestions for now @TheAutonocast.
#28: Inside The Waymo Castle
This week Kirsten is back from her visit to Waymo's "Castle" test facility, and she fills Alex and Ed in on the Alphabet company's moves towards truly driverless deployment. Also discussed: Avis and Autonation partnering up with Waymo,the future of dealerships, in-cabin cameras for autonomous vehicles, Bob Lutz's dark vision of an end to the car business he loves, and the fragmented future of the automotive media.
#27: Jim McPherson
The Autonocast is experimenting with new episode formats, and this week our show is half news discussion and half guest interview. First up Alex, Ed and Kirsten discuss the latest developments in the autonomous drive space, focusing on the new alliances between the auto industry and the high tech sector. Then Jim McPherson, who is Twitter famous as the autonomous car-obsessed lawyer behind the @SafeSelfDrive account, joins Alex and Ed to talk about autonomy and the law.
The Autonocast is experimenting with new episode formats, and this week our show is half news discussion and half guest interview. First up Alex, Ed and Kirsten discuss the latest developments in the autonomous drive space, focusing on the new alliances between the auto industry and the high tech sector. Then Jim McPherson, the autonomous car-obsessed lawyer behind the @SafeSelfDrive account, joins Alex and Ed to talk about autonomy and the law.
#26: Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec is one of the reporters you need to follow if you want to stay up on the latest in the world of mobility technology. This week she joins Alex and Ed to discuss the new "educational campaigns" from Waymo and Intel, Car & Driver's new ADAS comparo test, NVIDIA's new supercomputer for autonomous cars, and Porsche's new subscription service. Get used to her signature mix of tough reporting and sassy insight, because you'll be hearing a lot more from her on future episodes.
Kirsten Korosec is one of the reporters you need to follow if you want to stay up on the latest in the world of mobility technology. This week she joins Alex and Ed to discuss the new "educational campaigns" from Waymo and Intel, Car & Driver's new ADAS comparo test, NVIDIA's new supercomputer for autonomous cars, and Porsche's new subscription service. Get used to her signature mix of tough reporting and sassy insight, because you'll be hearing a lot more from her on future episodes.
#25: Paul Clayton of FLIR
Lidar, radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors get all the attention from autonomous car companies... but what about thermal imaging? Alex Roy used one of the early FLIR cameras for his record-setting Cannonbal Run with great results, so he and Ed had FLIR's Director of Automotive Products Paul Clayton on the show to ask him about thermal imaging for the autonomous age.
#24: NTSB Member Christopher Hart
The National Transportation Safety Board is charged with investigating crashes of America's trains, aircraft and automobiles, and is now turning its attention to automated and semi-automated driving systems. Member Christopher Hart joins Alex and Ed this week to explain how his experience as a pilot and aircraft safety investigator informs his approach to autonomous and semi-autonomous car safety.
The National Transportation Safety Board is charged with investigating crashes of America's trains, aircraft and automobiles, and is now turning its attention to automated and semi-automated driving systems. Member Christopher Hart joins Alex and Ed this week to explain how his experience as a pilot and aircraft safety investigator informs his approach to autonomous and semi-autonomous car safety.
#23: Dr Gill Pratt
Dr Gill Pratt is the CEO of Toyota Research Institute, the billion-dollar machine learning, computer perception and robotics research arm of Toyota Motor Company. Formerly of MIT and DARPA, Dr Pratt overseas the development of automated driving systems, household robots and material sciences for the automaker. He joins Alex and Ed this week to discuss TRI's wide-ranging research, how to safely bridge the gap to full autonomy, the amazing energy efficiency of the human brain and (of course) the classic video game franchise Commander Keen.
The essay Dr Pratt references toward the end of the episode can be found here.
#22 - Why Simulation Matters To Autonomy
Why is simulation important in a world full of corner cases? Ed sits down with Warren Ahner and Jon Mullen of RightHook to find out why simulated worlds and simulated vehicles are suddenly getting so much attention.
Why is simulation important in a world full of corner cases? Ed sits down with Warren Ahner and Jon Mullen of RightHook to find out why simulated worlds and simulated vehicles are suddenly getting so much attention.