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automated driving

Going Autonomous

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Going Autonomous
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Nicole is finally back and while she was away she drove a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel wagon and since she returned she’s been driving the Acura Integra A-Spec. Robbie shares his thoughts on the new Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid. Sam had the Honda Accord Touring Hybrid and the Land Rover Defender X. In the news, Kia has revealed the redesigned second generation Seltos, and Mazda has revealed some of the tech in the 2026 CX-5. Nissan has decided to partner with Wayve to bring hands-off/eyes-off driving to its future versions of ProPilot while Rivian is doing it all in-house. Meanwhile in Texas, Aurora has joined Kodiak in hauling fracking sand with driverless trucks. Ford’s ADHD approach to electric vehicles brings it to partner with Renault of affordable EVs and splitting up its battery joint-venture with SK On. Subaru brings an affordable price point to its new Uncharted… Read More »Going Autonomous

What Are the SAE Levels of Automated Driving? Think of the Hands, Feet, Eyes and Brain

Back in March 2022, I wrote an article for Ground Truth Autonomy, an informational site from Argo AI about automated driving. Unfortunately, Argo went out of business in October 2022 and with it the site, but thanks to the Internet Archive, the content still lives. I’ve decided to repost my article here – Sam One of the many things I learned in my two decades in the engineering profession is that communication is not a strength of most engineers — at least to those that aren’t engineers. They tend to use way too many technical terms to express concepts in ways that come across as an alien language to non-engineers. That’s why a standard definition of automated driving levels developed by a bunch of engineers inevitably became misunderstood and misused by marketers, policymakers, and even industry leaders. But there are better ways to express what… Read More »What Are the SAE Levels of Automated Driving? Think of the Hands, Feet, Eyes and Brain

Broncos Big and Small

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Broncos Big and Small
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This week, Sam has a comparison of two of the first electric pickup trucks, the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T. Roberto, has the Kia Stinger and drives the new Lunar Rover in GM’s simulator. Nicole has the Ford Bronco Sport at home and drove the new Bronco Raptor in California. Cadillac will build its new electric flagship the Celistiq at a facility on its Warren, Mich tech center campus. NHTSA drops the first batch of data on crashes while using assisted and automated driving systems and you’ll never guess who had the most crashes. Sony is forming an EV joint venture with Honda. Sam also answers lots of Lightning listener questions. Links Sony Honda joint venture Cadillac Celistiq production NHTSA ADAS/ADS data dump Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of… Read More »Broncos Big and Small

The Three-Wheel Driver

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Three-Wheel Driver
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On this edition of Wheel Bearings, we have another special guest, Alex Roy, co-host of the No Parking podcast, cannonballer, and director of special operations at Argo AI. In the garage, Alex shares his thoughts on getting back into his 1987 Porsche 911 Targa followed by Dan gushing about the new Cadillac Escalade and the Genesis GV80. Over in Connecticut, Rebecca has been digging the Audi A6 AllRoad, proving again that wagons are the best automotive form factor that isn’t a sports car. As a Tesla owner and employee of a company building automated driving systems, Alex has opinions on both topics that he shares with us. His appearance was particularly timely, coming just days after Tesla revealed a refresh of the Model S and Model X interiors that is to say the least controversial. The efficacy of a steering yoke rather than a circular… Read More »The Three-Wheel Driver

Not So Uber Any More

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Not So Uber Any More
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Rebecca was off looking after her mom so it’s just the boys this time. Sam got to spend time with the 2021 Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered and the 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE. Dan comes back with a more complete take on the Cadillac CT5 550T. In the news, Uber is shedding more of its ancillary businesses as it off-loads the automated driving group to Aurora. Sam also got a first taste of the new 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and we answer some listener mail. Links Uber dumps self-driving team Ford Bronco Sport First Drive Ford Bronco Design and Tech Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Ep. 138 – It’s All About the Context

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 138 - It's All About the Context
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This week the crew has a range of premium (at least price-wise) SUVs to drive. Since our last gathering, Sam has been in the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring (complete with a faulty 12V battery) and the Lexus LX570. Dan went from Mercedes-Benz GLC300 to the Polestar engineered Volvo XC90 and Rebecca has been enjoying open-top life in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. In the news, Sam was at the reveal of the Cruise Origin, a purpose-built robotaxi developed by GM and Honda. We also get into a discussion of our approach to reviewing vehicles and addressing reader comments on differing opinions. Links Cruise Origin Differing opinions Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring first drive Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Special: The Drive To Level 5

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Special: The Drive To Level 5
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Here’s a special extra episode for our listeners. Sam will be doing a talk on partnerships in automated vehicle development during the Drive World Expo conference in Santa Clara, California August 27-29. In the runup to the conference, the organizers have produced a special podcast series called the Drive to Level 5. Sam talks with host Jack Heslin about the his topic in episode 5. Links The Drive to Level 5 podcast Drive World Expo Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Episode #112 – Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #112 - Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids
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This week Rebecca and Sam had very different hybrid experiences on opposite coasts. Rebecca has been enjoying the thrill of the Acura NSX while Sam got to sample the 2020 Ford Explorer. They also both to sample the third generation Kia Soul in faux crossover flavor and find it continues to be a favorite small car. Meanwhile Dan has been getting around in the latest Nissan Altima. GM is reportedly considering reviving the once gas guzzling Hummer brand to build EVs. Aurora Innovation is shifting alliances and taking on new partners to develop automated driving systems and Mazda is eschewing touchscreens, something two-thirds of trio wholeheartedly approve of. Links Electric Hummers? Aurora’s new partners No more Mazda touchscreens 2020 Kia Soul Review 2020 Ford Explorer First Drive Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward… Read More »Episode #112 – Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids

Episode #070 – Acura Returns To Its Roots and FCA Has A New Plan

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #070 - Acura Returns To Its Roots and FCA Has A New Plan
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This week Sam really likes the third-generation Acura RDX, Dan likes the Mazda CX-5 and then they try hard not to talk about Tesla and mostly succeed although you can see more of Sam’s opinion on the subject at the link below. The guys also talk GM and Softbank and the upcoming product plans for Chrysler and Dodge. Just kidding on the last part, there are no known product plans for Chrysler and Dodge but Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Maserati are all getting new stuff. Links GM Cruise and Softbank Hook Up To Work on Deploying Automated Driving Tesla Updates Brakes Over the Air, What Could Go Wrong? FCA’s New Five Year Plan   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia