autonomy

Episode #041 – SuperCruising Across America, EVs Coming Up Everywhere

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 4, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #041 - SuperCruising Across America, EVs Coming Up Everywhere

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We’re back with a regular episode with Sam driving the Acura TLX A-Spec and Dan expounding upon the Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Last week Sam spent a couple of days crossing the heartland in a Cadillac CT6 with his hands mostly off the steering wheel. Along the way, it seems like everyone from vacuum cleaner maven James Dyson to Ford CEO Jim Hackett was talking about building EVs with GM in the middle. Links Super Cruising across middle America in a Cadillac Dyson Blows Some Air about EVs GM plans to build two dozen EVs Ford is taking money from engines to build what else? EVs 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 Episode – Zooming Toward An Electric Car Future

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 4, 2017October 31, 2018

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Special Episode - Zooming Toward An Electric Car Future

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Following the big electrification announcements from General Motors and Ford this week, Sam was invited to join host Tom Ashbrook along with Forbes Detroit Bureau Chief Joann Muller, Michael Dunne of Dunne Automotive and Pam Fletcher, executive chief engineer for Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles at General Motors to discuss the EV future during NPR’s On Point. http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2017/10/04/electric-car-ford-gm 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 #040 – The ADAS and Autonomous Landscape

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 2, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #040 - The ADAS and Autonomous Landscape

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Between Sam travelling last week and Dan’s family stuff, we weren’t able to get it together for a fresh regular episode of the show. We promise to get back to regular programming in the next couple of days. However, in the meantime, here’s a special episode. As part of Sam’s gig as a senior analyst at Navigant Research, he does a lot of speaking at conferences. This week he did the opening keynote at the TU-Automotive ADAS & Autonomous Vehicles conference in Detroit where he discussed the ADAS and Autonomous Landscape. https://automotive.knect365.com/adas-autonomous-vehicles-usa/ 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 #039 – The Off-Road Ford GT, New Jaguars, Stupid Tech

by Sam Abuelsamid
September 22, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #039 - The Off-Road Ford GT, New Jaguars, Stupid Tech

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This week Dan and Sam have both recently driven the off-road specialist from Ford Performance, the F-150 Raptor. It’s got visual presence and a great engine, but would your humble hosts actually want to own one? Sam has also driven the Hyundai Elantra Sport, but unlike the manual transmission version Dan drove a few weeks ago, this one had the seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Volvo has revealed the new XC40 compact crossover with a new subscription leasing program that turns out to be very similar to Apple’s iPhone upgrade program. Jaguar brought most of its 2018 model lineup including the all-new E-Pace to Detroit and Sam chats with product planning chief Dave Larsen. Meanwhile in South Korea, Genesis boss Albert Biermann throws shade at his former colleagues in Germany. links The new Volvo XC40 and Care by Volvo Genesis chief disses German automotive tech overload… Read More »Episode #039 – The Off-Road Ford GT, New Jaguars, Stupid Tech

Episode #038 – Grand Touring, Fun Hybrids, Frankfurt and Mazda Cleverness

by Sam Abuelsamid
September 15, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #038 - Grand Touring, Fun Hybrids, Frankfurt and Mazda Cleverness

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The guys return after a week away with Dan getting his turn at the Kia Niro while Sam tours in the Lexus LC500. We review the highlights of the Frankfurt Motor Show plus the hideous BMW X7, discuss what the NTSB had to say about a fatal Tesla crash, ponder stolen VW diesels and marvel at the creativity of Mazda’s engineers. We also answer some really old voice mails. Links Mazda SkyActiv-X Tech Stolen VW diesels NTSB on Tesla and automated driving Slimmed down federal guidelines on automated driving Frankfurt 2017 Highlights Lexus LC500 Review Kia Niro Review 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 #037 – Hot Hondas, Acuras, Hyundais, Pizzas and A Not-so Hot Mitsubishi

by Sam Abuelsamid
September 1, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #037 - Hot Hondas, Acuras, Hyundais, Pizzas and A Not-so Hot Mitsubishi

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This week we talk about lots of the vehicles we’ve recently driven. Sam samples a pair of very different Acura hybrids with some shared hardware. He then heads to the track to play with the hottest Civic ever the Type-R and talks with product planner Rob Keogh. Dan gets in the decidedly mediocre Mitsubishi Outlander GT. The Hyundai Elantra GT Sport is one of the most refined cars yet from the ever-improving Korean brand but is it better than a GTI? Finally, Ford and Domino’s hook up to try out autonomous pizza delivery. Domino’s Takes High-Tech Pizza Delivery To Level 4 With Ford The Ridge Motorsports Park 2017 Acura NSX – Vaporware No More 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 #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

by Sam Abuelsamid
August 24, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #036 - Rome Isn't Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

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The guys are back with a regular episode wherein we drive sibling vehicles from Korea, the Hyundai Elantra Sport and Kia Niro FE. Sam was wiped out last week after a whirlwind trip to San Francisco for the City of Tomorrow symposium hosted by Ford. While there he got the chance to talk with Bryan Salesky, one of the most experienced software engineers working on automated vehicles. Fiat Chrysler is also trying to get a foothold in the automated driving space while rumors of a Chinese acquisition swirl. Meanwhile GM still hopes that diesel can give them a competitive edge with the 39 mpg Chevy Equinox. links FCA Joins BMW/Intel Autonomous Driving Partnership Chevy Equinox Diesel rated at 39 mpg highway Uber Kills Leasing Program Future of Smaller Automakers May Be As Tier 1 Suppliers Ford Makes $1B Bet On Argo.AI As Recruiting Tool Kia… Read More »Episode #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

Episode #034 – AMG Roadtripping, More Miata Love and EV Frustration

by Sam Abuelsamid
August 6, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #034 - AMG Roadtripping, More Miata Love and EV Frustration

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This week Dan takes his turn in the Mazda Miata RF while Sam does a road trip to the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in the Mercedes-AMG E43. While at MBS Sam talked with Nvidia’s director of automotive, Danny Shapiro, heard Mazda SVP Robert Davis extol the virtues of internal combustion and saw his friend Bob Gritzenger struggle with EV charging infrastructure in northern Michigan. Links Mazda Miata RF Charging an EV on Blue Highways Mazda Dissing EVs Sam’s new monthly column for Automotive Engineering 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 #033 – Faster, Slower, Fix It Now or Fix It Later

by Sam Abuelsamid
July 28, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #033 - Faster, Slower, Fix It Now or Fix It Later

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This week Sam is in the slightly quicker Civic, the Si sedan, Dan stays on-road in the off-road Jeep Compass and the guys delve into fixing diesel Volkswagens, regulations for automated driving and whether anyone will ever make any money on self-driving software. Also, Waze comes to Android Auto, the end of big cars and a contemplation on how to fix Lincoln. Links The automated driving economy turns into the app store economy Who’s ultimately responsible for fixing recalled Volkswagen diesels Will automated cars cost $400,000? Spoiler alert, no. 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 #32 – Convertibles, Hybrids, Not Self-Driving and Comcast Hate

by Sam Abuelsamid
July 21, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #32 - Convertibles, Hybrids, Not Self-Driving and Comcast Hate

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This week Sam has driven Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and compares the latest Mazda Miata to the original. Dan spends the week with a very different kind of convertible, the Mustang GT. When the new Nissan Leaf arrives this fall, it will have e-pedal for strong regenerative braking and ProPilot Assist which is automated but not self-driving. Before some listener questions, the guys dive into the latest ploy by Comcast to remain the most hated company in America. Links Nissan ProPilot Assist Preview – It’s Automated But Not Self-Driving We Should Welcome The E-Pedal In The New Nissan Leaf, But It’s Not The World’s First: Updated Comcast Tries to Leverage Autonomous Cars to Kill Net Neutrality 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