waymo

Episode #046 – Comparing Benzes, Driverless In The Desert, Corvette Engine Position

by Sam Abuelsamid
November 10, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #046 - Comparing Benzes, Driverless In The Desert, Corvette Engine Position

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This week, Dan and Sam compare notes on the two Mercedes-Benz cars they drove, the E400 coupe and 2018 S560 4Matic sedan. Sam ponders whether partially automated systems are a good idea and whether everyone should simply take the Waymo path of highly automated driving that launching without a driver this week in Arizona. With the new Corvette ZR1 about to launch, Dan bemoans its looks and the guys ponder whether this will be the last front engine Vette. Links Waymo goes without a safety driver 2019 Corvette ZR1 leaks 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Tech Review 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Luxury 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 #045 – Plugged-in Cadillac and Casey Falls In Love

by Sam Abuelsamid
November 4, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #045 - Plugged-in Cadillac and Casey Falls In Love

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This week a special guest joins Dan and Sam. Casey Liss of the Accidental Tech Podcast and Analog(ue) stops by to share his thoughts on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Volvo Sensus. Sam ponders the Cadillac CT6 Plug-in and his experience visiting Waymo’s secret test track in the California desert. Links Safety First As Waymo Wants To Be ‘Enablers, Not Disruptors’ 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio – One Spicy Italian! Liss is 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 #042 – Maxi Mini, Family Haulin’, Car Subscriptions & Autonomous Safety

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 14, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #042 - Maxi Mini, Family Haulin', Car Subscriptions & Autonomous Safety

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This week, Dan hauls his family around in the Hyundai Santa Fe and Sam ponders how big a Mini can be and still be a Mini. If you have a hard time committing to just one car, subscription services like Passport by Porsche may be the answer for you. Mislabeling of metals is not a problem you can fix with an over-the-air software update and may put Kobe Steel in even more trouble than Takata. Waymo publishes a surprisingly detailed safety report about its automated driving system and the guys answer some listener questions. Links Passport by Porsche subscriptions Kobe Steel Fakes It Waymo talks safety 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 #29 – Big Sedans, Servicing Autonomous Vehicles, Racing Old Cars

by Sam Abuelsamid
June 30, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #29 - Big Sedans, Servicing Autonomous Vehicles, Racing Old Cars

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This week Sam drives a couple of big American sedans, the Buick LaCrosse and Lincoln Continental and Dan samples the Mazda CX-9. This devolves into a chat about Chris Lattner and working with/for Elon Musk and using rental car companies to service fleets of autonomous vehicles. Then Sam goes all analog with a visit to the Great Race stop in Ypsilanti, Mich. Links The Great Race The Great Race comes to Ypsilanti Chris Lattner bails on Tesla’s AutoPilot program after less than 6 months of working for Elon Musk Avis to Service Waymo’s Autonomous Vehicle Fleet 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 #27 – Jags That Burn Oil On Purpose, Cars That Are Too Good and Some That Aren’t

by Sam Abuelsamid
June 15, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #27 - Jags That Burn Oil On Purpose, Cars That Are Too Good and Some That Aren't

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This week we talk about a diesel powered Jaguar XF, a BMW 5 Series that so good it’s boring, the big shuffle at Uber, whether car makers will be the tier 1 suppliers to the tech industry for automated driving and answer a whole bunch of listener questions including some background on Sam’s engineering career. Carmakers Could Be Tier 1 Suppliers To Tech Companies For Autonomous Buick HiPer Strut Suspension Changes at Uber Do Driver’s Cars Matter Anymore? Increasing Collaboration Between Auto and Tech is Better For Everyone 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 #25 – Aging Trucks, New Crossovers, Vintage Convertibles and Cheap EVs

by Sam Abuelsamid
May 31, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #25 - Aging Trucks, New Crossovers, Vintage Convertibles and Cheap EVs

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This week Dan and Sam discuss lots of listener comments and questions throughout the show. Dan has spent the week with the Toyota Tundra and advises a listener to look elsewhere for their hauling needs. Sam has the new Chevrolet Equinox and also discusses his new acquisition, a 1990 Mazda Miata. In the ongoing Uber saga, former Google engineer Anthony Levandoski is now also a former Uber engineer as the ride-hailing leader fires him. The guys discuss invisible Camrys, electric vehicle conversions, autonomous shuttles and whether it is worth buying a cheap used Fiat 500e. links Uber Fires Anthony Levandoski Toyota Tundra review Autonomous Shuttles 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 #24 – Hauling, Firing, Hiring, Renting and Banning

by Sam Abuelsamid
May 23, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #24 - Hauling, Firing, Hiring, Renting and Banning

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This week Dan and Sam discuss driving the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, hauling decking materials with the new aluminum bodied Ford F250 Super Duty and hauling ass in the Shelby GT350. In the news since the last episode, Lyft will be testing Waymo’s minivans in addition to Chevy Bolts, Theresa May wants to ban internal combustion engines by 2050 and the first two salaried job losses are announced at Ford as Mark Fields and Ray Day head for the door. Last week Sam was speaking at the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles conference in Santa Clara, Calif. and the chance to talk with Tom Wang, chief product officer of Turo and Peter Rawlinson, CTO of Lucid. Links British Conservatives Propose Banning ICEs by 2050 Ford CEO and Comms VP Lose Their Jobs Ford’s Big Management Shuffle Is About Changing Perceptions Lyft and Waymo Hook Up. 2017… Read More »Episode #24 – Hauling, Firing, Hiring, Renting and Banning

Episode #22 – Jeep and Ram spinoff, Apple still into cars, Autonomy and Law Enforcement

by Dan Roth
April 28, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #22 - Jeep and Ram spinoff, Apple still into cars, Autonomy and Law Enforcement

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Dan and Sam talk plug-in hybrid minivans, gas-guzzling muscle sedans, autonomy and mobility marketing

Episode #15 – Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps

by Sam Abuelsamid
February 24, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #15 - Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps

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This week we take a second look at the Honda Civic Sport Hatchback after Dan’s had a chance to drive it and Sam takes the less ostentatious version of the Lexus ES300h that Dan had last week with the Toyota Camry Hybrid SE. Some big news broke just before we recorded as Waymo sued Uber for stealing its LiDAR technology, BMW, HERE and Mobileye team up to build HD maps for automated driving and we discuss half-baked ideas about fried chicken and Opel. Sam talks with Ford’s Alan Dona about new Ford hybrids and then we answer listener questions about performance hybirds. Links A note on our lawsuit against Otto and Uber BMW, HERE And Mobileye Team Up To Crowd-Source HD Maps For Self-Driving 2017 Honda Civic Sport: The Return Of The Hatchback Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the… Read More »Episode #15 – Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps