Futurismo | An Automotive News Podcast

Asad Hussain, senior mobility analyst at financial data company PitchBook, discusses Ford’s recent electric vehicle investments, how investors have rethought funding mobility startups and the future of transportation beyond cars.

The CEO of lidar company Sense Photonics discusses why the company stands out in a crowded field, her experiences working for Ford Motor Co. and the importance of manufacturing expertise in lidar.

Joel Levin and Kat Urquhart from Plug In America, explain the underappreciated role dealerships play in increasing electric vehicle sales, how their PlugStar program trains sales staff, and preview the upcoming National Drive Electric Week.

The chief engineer of Archer Aviation discusses the company’s recent FAA certification milestone, his work with global automaker Stellantis, and why humans will remain in the cockpit for the foreseeable future.

Sterling Anderson, co-founder of Aurora, and Nils Jaeger, president of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, delve into the technical details of integrating an automated-driving system and truck platform and discuss the business case for hub-to-hub freight transportation.

The chief operating officer of What3Words examines the shortcomings of traditional street addresses, the power of new microlocation tools and what's possible when the world is divided into three-meter squares.

Hakan Ekmen and Navid Firouz of engineering and consulting company umlaut discuss the "impressive" strides being made in fifth-generation wireless, 5G's potential to improve safety and enhance the in-vehicle experience and the company's latest research into digital cockpits.

The CEO discusses the wide range of market opportunities, from mining to robotrucks; taking the SPAC route to public trading, navigating the chip crisis, and why “it's better to be selling the pickaxes in the gold rush.”

Zoox chief safety innovation officer Mark Rosekind explains his curious job title, reflects on his work as NHTSA administrator and NTSB board member, and describes his efforts to curb traffic deaths nationwide.

Five years after Columbus, Ohio, won the $50 million Smart City Challenge, program manager Mandy Bishop details the successes and challenges in implementing next-generation transportation technology.

The deputy assistant secretary for sustainable transportation in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy discusses the need for better batteries, why automation can reduce pollution, the advent of zero-emission airplanes and a hydrogen energy 'Earthshot.'

Jody Kelman, head of Lyft’s autonomous division, details the company’s new deal with Ford and Argo AI, explains business insights gathered from driving data and recounts her first ride in a self-driving vehicle.

The veteran engineer and scientist, now CEO of a battery startup, discusses why it's critical for EVs to go longer distances, the need for a cheaper, safer and more sustainable alternative to nickel-cobalt, and why two batteries are better than one.

The venture capital firm's founding general partner tells why he sees opportunities in "zero-emission entrepreneurship," a growing role for driver monitoring and industrial AV players becoming more attractive targets than robotaxis.

Don Burnette, CEO and co-founder of Kodiak Robotics, discusses fresh investments from Bridgestone and BMW iVentures, Kodiak’s unique mapping strategy and building a truck-specific self-driving system.

Hassounah's Silicon Valley startup has a Lego-like system for quickly removing and replacing battery modules. He discusses his company’s approach to swapping and what it could mean, especially for fleet and ride-share drivers.

Jeff Miller, assistant chief engineer on Super Cruise, discusses the latest on the driver-assist system’s planned deployment on more than 20 models by 2023, advances that now allow lane changing, and progress on other enhancements.

Raquel Urtasun, former head of Uber ATG’s R&D efforts, discusses her new self-driving startup, new ways to utilize machine learning in self-driving systems and why trucks are the natural first use case for automated-driving tech.

Hemant Sikaria, CEO and co-founder of Sibros, sheds light on how automakers can handle complex software in cars, his role in helping Tesla pioneer over-the-air updates and how to distill meaningful insights from vehicular data.

The National Transportation Safety Board member and President Biden’s nominee to become the board’s new chair discusses increased traffic fatalities, ongoing examinations of new automotive technology and the NTSB’s “Most Wanted List” of safety improvements.