#224: Adventures In Autonowashing
Even as more misuse of driver assistance systems, and the subsequent crashes and deaths are reported we still see Autonowashing popping up everywhere. From Tesla to TikTok, and from Elon Musk to the mainstream media, people continue to ignore the tragic cost of overstating the capabilities of automated assistance systems. This week the gang discusses a few of the most recent examples, explores a misperception at the heart of some more innocent autonowashing, talks Elon Musk on SNL and pitches a few new ideas for future shows.
Even as more misuse of driver assistance systems, and the subsequent crashes and deaths are reported we still see Autonowashing popping up everywhere. From Tesla to TikTok, and from Elon Musk to the mainstream media, people continue to ignore the tragic cost of overstating the capabilities of automated assistance systems. This week the gang discusses a few of the most recent examples, explores a misperception at the heart of some more innocent autonowashing, talks Elon Musk on SNL and pitches a few new ideas for future shows.
#223: Lyft Gets Out Of AV Development
By selling its "Level 5" AV development operations to Toyota's Woven Planet Holdings, Lyft has followed its ride-hailing rival Uber out of the AV development business. Founder John Zimmer joins the show to explain the move and what it means for Lyft's evolving relationship with self-driving vehicles.
By selling its "Level 5" AV development operations to Toyota's Woven Planet Holdings, Lyft has followed its ride-hailing rival Uber out of the AV development business. Founder John Zimmer joins the show to explain the move and what it means for Lyft's evolving relationship with self-driving vehicles.
#222: The Case Of The "Driverless" Tesla
The internet is in an uproar about the latest fatal Tesla crash, in which two men were found burned alive with nobody in the driver's seat. Though the investigation has only just begun, the evidence available suggests a troubling new twist on past Autopilot crashes. As the gang sorts through the available facts, they attempt to answer the bizarre question at the heart of this case: what would make someone operate a driver assistance system as if it were fully driverless?
The internet is in an uproar about the latest fatal Tesla crash, in which two men were found burned alive with nobody in the driver's seat. Though the investigation has only just begun, the evidence available suggests a troubling new twist on past Autopilot crashes. As the gang sorts through the available facts, they attempt to answer the bizarre question at the heart of this case: what would make someone operate a driver assistance system as if it were fully driverless?
#221: Colin Barnden of Semicast Research on Driver Monitoring
The gang has discussed driver monitoring on many past shows, but like much of the mobility tech media we don't always give this topic the attention it deserves. That changes this week, as Ed and Alex welcome Colin Barnden of Semicast Research to the show and grill him with questions about the technology that keeps drivers in the loop. Whether you're curious about where camera DMS comes from, how it works, who develops it or where it's going as a business, Barnden (and this episode) has the answers you seek.
The gang has discussed driver monitoring on many past shows, but like much of the mobility tech media we don't always give this topic the attention it deserves. That changes this week, as Ed and Alex welcome Colin Barnden of Semicast Research to the show and grill him with questions about the technology that keeps drivers in the loop. Whether you're curious about where camera DMS comes from, how it works, who develops it or where it's going as a business, Barnden (and this episode) has the answers you seek.
#220: Full Self-Driving Isn't, and Other News
Tesla's "Full Self-Driving Beta" is in the news again, as correspondence between the automaker and the California DMV stating that the current "Full Self-Driving Beta" is Level 2 driver assistance and always will be. Alex, Ed and yes, even Kirsten, break down what it means and where it leaves Tesla, before discussing Luminar's plan to bring lidar to production cars, the Lordstown Motors expose and more.
Tesla's "Full Self-Driving Beta" is in the news again, as correspondence between the automaker and the California DMV stating that the current "Full Self-Driving Beta" is Level 2 driver assistance and always will be. Alex, Ed and yes, even Kirsten, break down what it means and where it leaves Tesla, before discussing Luminar's plan to bring lidar to production cars, the Lordstown Motors expose and more.
#219: Omer Keilaf of Innoviz
Lidar and autonomous vehicles have gone hand-in-hand since the DARPA Grand Challenges, propelling the self-driving stack into the modern era. But turning a new kind of sensor into an automotive-grade qualified component that can hold up to real-world road conditions and be made at scale is an entirely different challenge than inventing something new. This week the gang dives into the nature of that challenge with help from Omer Keilaf, CEO of the lidar maker Innoviz Technologies, who explains how this controversial sensor is going from the bleeding edge to a real business.
Lidar and autonomous vehicles have gone hand-in-hand since the DARPA Grand Challenges, propelling the self-driving stack into the modern era. But turning a new kind of sensor into an automotive-grade qualified component that can hold up to real-world road conditions and be made at scale is an entirely different challenge than inventing something new. This week the gang dives into the nature of that challenge with help from Omer Keilaf, CEO of the lidar maker Innoviz Technologies, who explains how this controversial sensor is going from the bleeding edge to a real business.
#218: Ben Bear of Spin
The gang dips back into micromobility this week, welcoming Spin's Chief Business Officer Ben Bear to the show. Ben explains Spin's exciting new developments in teleoperation and even driver assistance systems for its scooters, and how these new technologies are impacting the business. Plus: the importance of city relationships, how Spin has benefitted from being part of Ford, the seasonal nature of micromobility, and the direction that long-term new product planning is headed in.
The gang dips back into micromobility this week, welcoming Spin's Chief Business Officer Ben Bear to the show. Ben explains Spin's exciting new developments in teleoperation and even driver assistance systems for its scooters, and how these new technologies are impacting the business. Plus: the importance of city relationships, how Spin has benefitted from being part of Ford, the seasonal nature of micromobility, and the direction that long-term new product planning is headed in.
#217: The Stream Of Consciousness News Discussion Episode
We've been so busy with big guests so far in 2021 that we've barely had time to sit down and discuss the news of the day in a trademark Autonocast discussion episode. We're making up for that with our latest episode, which is even more stream-of-consciousness than usual. From Super Bowl ads to driver monitoring, from disengagement reports to the Apple Car, this is the rambling Autonocast discussion episode you’ve been waiting for.
We've been so busy with big guests so far in 2021 that we've barely had time to sit down and discuss the news of the day in a trademark Autonocast discussion episode. We're making up for that with our latest episode, which is even more stream-of-consciousness than usual. From Super Bowl ads to driver monitoring, from disengagement reports to the Apple Car, this is the rambling Autonocast discussion episode you’ve been waiting for.
#216: Selika Talbott
With so much focus on the technical progress of autonomous vehicle technology, it's easy to miss an important truth: the AV's slower-than-expected maturation is an opportunity to prepare our society for the transformative potential this technology holds. That opportunity is where Selika Talbott hopes to make a difference: in her teaching at American University and her writing at Forbes, Talbott examines the political economy, regulation and equity issues around AV technology. In her first full Autonocast conversation, Talbott shares her thoughts on these and other important topics.
With so much focus on the technical progress of autonomous vehicle technology, it's easy to miss an important truth: the AV's slower-than-expected maturation is an opportunity to prepare our society for the transformative potential this technology holds. That opportunity is where Selika Talbott hopes to make a difference: in her teaching at American University and her writing at Forbes, Talbott examines the political economy, regulation and equity issues around AV technology. In her first full Autonocast conversation, Talbott shares her thoughts on these and other important topics.