TechMobility Topics

Boston's innovative approach to EV charging infrastructure is reshaping urban mobility possibilities by tackling one of the most significant barriers to widespread adoption: access for apartment dwellers. The city's behind-the-meter curbside charging solution not only eliminates installation costs for homeowners but transforms their curb space into potential revenue streams. This groundbreaking sy...

During this episode, I explore commercial trucking's "messy middle" – the experimental phase between traditional diesel power and zero-emission transportation that could last decades. For long-haul applications, battery electric solutions face significant challenges with weight, range, and charging time, while alternatives like hydrogen fuel cells offer promising but still-developing paths forward...

Shopify's CEO Toby Lutke has implemented a radical new hiring policy that could foreshadow dramatic workplace changes. Teams must now "assume AI, prove the need for humans" – demonstrating that artificial intelligence cannot adequately perform a job function before justifying human hires. This raises profound questions about who determines when AI is insufficient and what metrics should evaluate h...

The automotive reliability landscape revealed surprising strength from American manufacturers in JD Power's latest Vehicle Dependability Survey. While Lexus claimed the top spot, Buick secured second place overall and ranked as the top mass-market brand, outperforming Toyota. Even more surprising was General Motors' dominance with four brands in the top ten: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC – c...

Rivian is expanding beyond traditional electric vehicles with a bold new venture into micromobility. The EV manufacturer that's attracted billions in investment from Amazon, Ford, and Volkswagen has launched "ALSO" – a separate startup focused on developing small, lightweight electric vehicles for global markets. With $105 million in initial funding from Eclipse Ventures, ALSO represents Rivian's...

Rural America.  Long regarded by the well-heeled on the coasts as “fly-over” country.  Sections of it are dirt poor and losing population as soon as they can graduate and move away for better jobs and more opportunity.  It seems that perhaps the pendulum may be swinging the other way as the need for cheap land and bountiful electricity are bringing Big Data to these long-forgotten p...

Their names are Alessandro and Julian and they race 160 pound go-karts.  The are fierce competitors in the World Series of Karting championship and they just may become the next generation of Formula One drivers.  By the way, they are aged 11 and 12 and have been competing since they were nine and ten.  Fun fact:  every current F1 driver started in a go-kart!   During this...

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?  The Kia K4 sedan  is a compact car manufactured by the automaker in Mexico as a replacement for the long-running Forte sedan.  Initially introduced to the public in March, 2024 at the New York International Auto Show, the first-ever K4 is offered by the automaker in five distinct trim levels.  Power for the K4 GT-Line Turbo is...

The transportation landscape is undergoing a hydrogen revolution that few are talking about. While headlines focus on battery electric vehicles, hydrogen is quietly emerging as the true contender for zero-emission long-haul trucking. As I reveal in this episode, hydrogen offers two compelling pathways - direct combustion in modified engines or electricity generation via fuel cells - both eliminati...

After years of testing and development, humanoid robots are taking their place in warehouses and on or near assembly lines on the factory floor.  Make no mistake, this new generation of robots are in fact replacing actual human beings.  Should we be concerned?  These machines are already replacing human workers in warehouses and factories, offering consistent performance without the...

With the average new vehicle sticker price hovering around $50,000, it would be easy to assume that a good, quality NEW car for much less than that would not be possible.  Consumer Reports brings welcome news for budget-conscious car shoppers, highlighting several excellent vehicles available under $30,000, including the Subaru Forester, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the innovative Ford Maverick p...

Have you had this experience:  You visit an actual store looking for a particular item, only to be told that not only is not in stock, but you can buy it online?  Yeah, me too and its not ok.  The retail landscape continues its dramatic transformation as brick-and-mortar stores increasingly function as showrooms rather than fully-stocked shopping destinations. The frustrating experi...

Volkswagen's $1.3B investment in Rivian brings affordable EVs closer to reality. Their upcoming ID.1 electric minicar will cost just $20K and launch in 2027. The EV revolution is finally reaching mainstream price points. What's your price threshold for going electric?

Over the last ten years, no doubt you have hear about the promise of the self-driving car, also called the autonomous car or even the robot-car.  But what exactly is it, and why has it been so hard to actually bring one to market for the general populace?  We explore an industry white paper for a refresher.  

Customer service.  When it comes to “going to the dealership”, most consumers have a negative view.  From having to wait for the vehicle to be serviced, or being shuttled to or from home/work to even perhaps dealing with a loaner vehicle – it seems to be more hassle than its worth.  With this in mind, a growing number of new car dealers, along with their manufacturers, are reimagini...

This is really a story about two pickup trucks named Ford Ranger.  Introduced in early 1982 for the 1983 model year, the all-new domestically produced compact pickup truck was developed as a replacement from the Mazda-sourced Ford Courier that was sold in North America from 1972 through 1982.  The production of this pickup was discontinued after the 2011.  For the 2019 model year, t...

The Administration has suspended the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding formula program.  This puts over $1.5B in previously available funding in limbo.  This will directly stall state-level efforts to build out a nation wide EV charging network.  

Despite years of technical advances, traffic deaths and injuries in the United States have remained stubbornly high.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 112 Americans were killed every day on US roads in 2023.  Safety experts equate that to one plane crash a day.  What’s going on?  

The lowly forklift.  Invented in 1917 by Eugene Clark, it is a mainstay in thousands of warehouses, freight depots and manufacturing plants around the world.  However, the persistence of serious injuries and even deaths from mishaps with forklifts have some of the country’s biggest manufacturers backing away from the equipment.  This is big.  

Every year it seems, various publications, social media posts, podcasts, and the like reveal new “best places to retire abroad” lists.  Providing snapshot overviews and amazingly beautiful photos of top expat countries, these features are wildly popular whether its audience is seriously considering moving to a foreign country or just in the “wouldn’t be nice”, camp.  To be clear, its pos...

General Motors has hired a long time technology executive to be its first-ever Chief AI Officer. The new position will lead efforts to accelerate the automaker's use of AI across its corporate footprint.  Will other automakers follow suit?

The Land Aircraft Carrier.  This futuristic marvel comes from the AeroHT subsidiary of the Chinese automaker Xpeng .  It combines an off-road capable, six-wheeled electric van with a detachable electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that is neatly folded into the rear compartment.  Is this the future?  

Air Force General Randall Reed, commander of the United States Transportation command (USTRANSCOM) testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and made a request for the purchase of ten used cargo ships to bolster the aging fleet that supports American military operations overseas.  I don't know about you, but there are plenty of red flags here.  I investigate. 

Corporate conventional legends Siemens Energy and Rolls-Royce SMR are teaming up to develop small modular reactor nuclear projects.  I guess that small scale nuclear energy is having a moment after years of being out of favor.  

The Toyota Tacoma.  A mainstay of the automaker’s American line-up since its 1995 debut, the Tacoma pickup truck was originally considered to be a compact in only its first generation.  With the introduction of the second-generation Tacoma in 2004, it moved up to a midsize classification.  Toyota designed the truck to better suit the needs of the US and Canadian market, where it rec...