SAE Tomorrow Today

What if EVs were an asset to the power grid instead of a challenge? From off-peak incentives to powering data centers with parked cars, the future of intelligent EV charging is closer than many of us think.   ChargeScape is paving the way with a unified software platform that gives utilities a single, direct connection to tap into EV load flexibility from some of the world’s largest automakers. Cr...

The automotive industry is undergoing a major shift — not just toward AI-powered, software-defined vehicles, but also toward a new culture that challenges traditional ways of working. Listen in as we sit down with Amol Gulve, Software-Defined Vehicle and AI Expert, for a candid discussion on why the pace of innovation is both exhilarating and challenging for legacy automakers. Amol breaks down the...

From surprise unveilings to one-of-a-kind experiences, excitement is building for the 2026 Detroit Auto Show. But it’s about more than just horsepower. This year, SAE International is co-sponsoring Media and Industry Days, where OEMs, suppliers, tech leaders, and students come together for vehicle debuts, industry insights, and future-focused conversations.   Listen in as Sam Klemet, Executive Dir...

Back by popular demand, Episode 309 - Unplugged: Why the Race to Build Robotaxis Is On was the most-streamed 2025 episode of SAE Tomorrow Today. Thanks to our audience for listening, sharing, and pushing the conversation forward. We’re just getting started. Robotaxis are scaling fast, logging millions of autonomous miles each month across the globe. Despite their rapid adoption, the industry is hi...

What happens when driving becomes a burden?   In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, join host Grayson Brulte for a candid conversation sparked by his own realization: he simply doesn’t want to drive anymore. Listen in to discover why more people are finding comfort, calm, and even joy in autonomous driving systems like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) — and why traditional driving sudden...

There’s no doubt that convenience is the new currency for EV owners. But given the tug-of-war between utilities, data centers, and EV charging infrastructure providers, what does it all mean for consumers and commercial fleets? Listen in as we sit down with Jason Greenblatt, Senior Practice Consultant at Energetics, to explore the latest data, trends, and opportunities driving EV adoption. Discove...

When it comes to battery electric trucks, is real-world data beating consumer expectations?  According to findings from The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), the real-world driving range of heavy duty electric trucks is 10 to 20% better than what is communicated by truck manufacturers. It’s an exciting finding — and one that could propel the decarbonization of freight forward....

What does it take to race 3,000 kilometers across the unforgiving Australian Outback powered only by the sun?   Listen in as we sit down with Martijn Boonen, Electrical Engineer & Driver, Brunel Solar Team, and Tony Mathew, Global Market Manager, Teijin Aramid, to reveal the secrets behind their record-breaking solar car victory at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.   Discover how cutting...

Will the future of combat look like your smartphone? As the nature of warfare changes, new technology is driving smarter, faster decisions on the battlefield.   BAE Systems is accelerating next-gen combat capability through Digital Engineering (DE), a data-driven approach that connects decades of real-world experience with advanced modeling, simulation, and virtual testing environments to design,...

From crispy French fries to critical medical supplies, one company is transforming how goods move around the world with autonomous drone delivery technology.   In 2016, Zipline began with life-saving deliveries of blood and medical products in Rwanda and has since evolved into a global network expanding access to healthcare, consumer goods, and food. Operating across four continents and completing...

If you still think hydrogen was the cause of the Hindenburg disaster, allow Danielle McLean, Founder and Executive Director of HYSKY Society, to debunk that myth for you.   What first began as a hydrogen-powered eVTOL startup quickly revealed a bigger challenge for the aerospace engineer: the need for scalable, affordable clean hydrogen. In response, Danielle united engineers, entrepreneurs, and e...

From pinpointing greenhouse gas (GHG) hot spots to modeling decarbonization scenarios, life cycle assessments (LCAs) can be a powerful tool for sustainability. However, a lack of standardized methodologies across the automotive industry makes progress difficult.   That’s where the SAE J3341 Task Force comes in. It’s a cross-industry initiative uniting automakers, government, and academia to establ...

The future of urban mobility depends on one thing: accessible EV charging infrastructure. For the 40 million U.S. drivers who park on city streets, the lack of home charging options makes transitioning to an EV nearly impossible. And that’s where it’s electric comes in.   Unlike traditional public EV chargers, it’s electric connects directly to nearby buildings and “juicy corners”, offering a cost...

Have you every wished you could call up an experienced auto tech to diagnose your car trouble? One company is doing just that by transforming the DIY auto repair experience.   With nearly 1 million app downloads, Tinker DIY is the only platform that offers live video support with ASE-certified mechanics for auto repairs, rideshare inspections, and used car evaluations. Akin to “telehealth for your...

With Ford’s BlueCruise logging 58 million miles in 2024 and GM’s Super Cruise generating hundreds of millions in revenue, more and more drivers are embracing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to arrive at their destination more relaxed and alert.   In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte dives into reports from various automakers, Goldman Sachs, and Consumer Re...

When it comes to cars, it’s not just what’s under the hood that matters — it’s what’s on the scale.   According to a new book, Critical Mass: The One Thing You Need to Know About Green Cars, a vehicle’s damage to the planet can be boiled down to a simple formula: mass multiplied by distance traveled. EVs tend to be around 700 pounds heavier than comparable combustion vehicles which exacerbates tir...

What does it take to bring safe, reliable autonomous vehicles to Europe’s roads? From shifting to performance-based regulations for L3 and L4 Systems to the role of human oversight, the European Commission Joint Research Centre is using technology, policy, and collaboration to drive the future of autonomy.   Listen in as we sit down with members Akos Kriston, Officer, Scientific Research for ADAS,...

The battery supply chain is one of the most complex in the world, built on critical minerals that stretch across continents and raise tough questions about accountability. But how do you bring order and transparency to something so massive? Listen in as we sit down with Frank Menchaca, Founder, Auzolan LLC, and sponsor of SAE International Battery Global Traceability Committee, to explore how a ne...

The staggering energy demands of AI data centers are set to consume 12% of America’s electricity by 2028 — and tech giants are investing billions to secure supply. This leaves robo-taxi operators fighting for scraps in an energy market dominated by hyperscalers who are set to spend $322 billion combined this year alone.   In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte breaks...

From battery-electric trucks to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the company behind Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF is leading the charge toward zero-emissions.   PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture, and customer support of premium light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The company is also actively investing in zero-emission technologies, positioning itself as a leader in the...

From next-gen chipsets to scalable autonomous driving solutions, Magna’s groundbreaking partnership with NVIDIA is paving the way for the next generation of software-defined, AI-powered vehicles.   By harnessing NVIDIA’s new Blackwell GPU architecture to enable ADAS and L2+ through L4 capabilities, Magna is blending its deep automotive expertise with powerful AI compute to redefine what’s possible...

The key to unlocking EV efficiency lies in the chemistry of the battery itself — and emerging technologies like lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) tackling range anxiety head-on.   Leading the way is Integrals Power, a UK-based company pushing the boundaries of battery innovation by engineering cells that offer up to 20% more range compared to conventional che...

Thanks to their fixed routes and predictable environments, commercial vehicles like airport shuttles and public transit buses are proving to be the perfect match for SAE Level 4 automation.   One company at the forefront of this transformation is Fusion Processing, a global leader in automated driving, situational awareness, and control systems. Fusion has logged over 90,000 kilometers of on-highw...

Aerospace is undergoing its biggest shift since the Jet Age, with innovations like supersonic jets, eVTOLs, and drones set to redefine travel and delivery. As we enter this new era of aviation, how will these technologies reshape our daily lives?   In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte discusses the transformation of aerospace and the impact these new technologies wi...

From driver training to vehicle engineering and strategy development, simulation is no longer just a tool — it’s a competitive advantage. Top racing teams are using simulators to optimize car setups, dramatically cutting down on testing time and maximizing on-track performance. But the impact of simulation goes far beyond the racetrack.   With cutting-edge realism and high-bandwidth systems, Dynis...