The TechMobility Podcast

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! America's rural landscape is aging quickly, with more than one in five older Americans living miles from essential services. The latest Census Bureau data reveals a startling reality: in states like Vermont and Maine, over 60% of seniors live in rural communities where the nearest neighbor could be miles away, and basic necessitie...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Ken Chester guides us through the constantly changing world of automotive technology, surveillance issues, and travel infrastructure in this thought-provoking episode of the TechMobility Podcast. The ongoing saga of Faraday Future continues as Ken examines their latest revival effort with an infusion of $105 million in funding. Eight y...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The relentless march of technology is transforming our world in ways both miraculous and unsettling, and this week's deep dive reveals just how profound these changes may become. Automobile design is at a crossroads as Hyundai announces plans to eliminate physical buttons in favor of Tesla-style touchscreens beginning with 2026 mo...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The automotive world continues its rapid evolution as Volvo announces a strategic shift away from EVs, wagons, and sedans in the US market, focusing instead on their successful lineup of mild and plug-in hybrid crossovers. This pragmatic change reflects increasing consumer preference for hybrids that offer the ideal balance of range, e...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Remember the distinctive sound of an AOL dial-up connection? After 30 years, this iconic internet service is finally shutting down on September 30, 2025. While most of us have long moved on to lightning-fast broadband, approximately 200,000 Americans in extremely rural areas still rely on dial-up as their only gateway to the digital wo...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Electric vehicles are surpassing expectations and redefining what's possible on America's roads. Imagine a pickup truck traveling over 1,000 miles on a single charge - that's precisely what Chevrolet achieved with their Silverado EV work truck during an impressive week-long test. Even when driving at just 25 mph without...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! When performance is less important than nostalgia, something fascinating happens in consumer behavior. Ram's decision to bring back the Hemi V8 engine for their 2026 trucks perfectly illustrates this trend – customers willing to pay $1,200 extra for an engine that produces less power and torque than the standard Hurricane V6 it re...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The automotive manufacturing landscape is undergoing a revolutionary transformation, driven by unexpected players and innovative approaches. At the forefront, Foxconn—the company that likely manufactured your iPhone—is making bold moves into the electric vehicle space. Rather than competing directly with established automakers, they&ap...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The electric vehicle revolution isn't taking the path many expected. Instead of a uniform march toward high-tech luxury EVs, we're seeing fascinating divergence at both ends of the market. Slate Motors has captured my attention with their radical approach to affordability. Backed by Jeff Bezos and $700 million in venture capi...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The electric vehicle market continues to evolve quickly as manufacturers compete in an increasingly crowded space. US News and World Report recently released their 2025 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars rankings, evaluating an impressive 115 different models across various categories. Hyundai stood out as the top performer, earning three p...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What happens when the transportation industry is caught in what truckers call "the messy middle" - that challenging space between today's fossil fuel reality and tomorrow's zero-emission future? This thought-provoking exploration takes you into the heart of commercial trucking's dilemma, where battery electric...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The automotive industry continues its fascinating evolution as manufacturers navigate multiple pathways toward sustainable transportation. This episode explores how different technologies are finding their unique applications across various sectors of the mobility industry. Honda's iconic Civic celebrates its legacy with the intro...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The transportation landscape is undergoing seismic shifts that will fundamentally alter how people and goods are moved across America. Autonomous trucking has quietly evolved from experimental technology to commercial reality, with companies like Aurora now operating routes of 1,000 miles or more that dramatically outperform human-driv...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The autonomous vehicle revolution is happening faster than anyone predicted. Tesla recently made headlines by delivering a Model Y from its Austin factory directly to a customer's home—with no driver, no remote operator, and no human intervention whatsoever. This empty vehicle navigated 30 minutes of city traffic at speeds up to 7...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The digital transformation of agriculture takes center stage as we dive into John Deere's strategic acquisition of Sentera, a company revolutionizing farming through drone-based imaging technology. This partnership promises farmers unprecedented precision in weed management and resource allocation, potentially saving thousands in...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! When technology evolves faster than legislation, who protects your privacy? This episode dives deep into the concerning world of automatic license plate readers operated by companies like Flock Safety, which are collecting data on your movements without consent or oversight. We expose how law enforcement agencies have been caught circu...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The automotive industry has always been a battleground where dreams and capital collide - something startup EV manufacturer Bollinger Motors discovered firsthand. Beginning with prototype models B1 and B2, Bollinger's journey from ambitious newcomer to acquisition target illustrates the fundamental truth about automotive manufactu...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! From lunar technology to invasive surveillance, the mobility landscape is transforming in ways both promising and concerning. This episode explores three critical developments reshaping how we move—and who's watching us move. Michelin's groundbreaking lunar rover tires represent innovation at its finest. Designed to withstand...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Battery technology is evolving faster than most consumers realize. GM's announcement of its new lithium manganese-rich (LMR) battery cell represents a significant shift toward more affordable, efficient electric vehicles. By replacing expensive, rare-earth materials like nickel and cobalt with more abundant manganese and utilizing...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The mobility landscape is transforming rapidly, with innovations that make clean transportation more accessible to underserved communities. Massachusetts' new e-bike incentive program offers vouchers up to $1,200 for lower-income residents, addressing transportation deserts where public transit is limited and car ownership impossi...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Behind the wheel of a commercial truck weighing up to 60 tons, distraction can turn deadly in seconds. New research reveals a shocking truth: 79% of truck drivers reported close calls due to distraction, primarily from mobile devices. At highway speeds, these massive vehicles cover a football field every few seconds—a sobering reality...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The mobility revolution is accelerating across multiple fronts, and this episode dives deep into the most exciting developments reshaping how we move. Volkswagen has emerged as a surprising contender in the autonomous vehicle race, announcing plans to deploy thousands of self-driving ID Buzz electric minivans on Uber's platform st...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A revolutionary material that could transform our built environment is emerging from laboratories into commercial production. Super Wood, developed at the University of Maryland, demonstrates strength properties that outmatch conventional steel while maintaining a dramatically lighter profile. With 50% greater tensile strength and a we...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Hyundai Mobis has revolutionized EV safety with a breakthrough battery fire suppression system that doesn't just delay thermal runaway fires—it prevents them entirely. The technology utilizes real-time temperature and voltage monitoring to command fire suppressant within five minutes of ignition, stopping fires before they spread...

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What happens when one of the world's richest men decides to challenge Tesla with a $20,000 electric vehicle that strips away every non-essential feature imaginable? We're diving deep into Slate, the Jeff Bezos-backed EV startup that's reimagining affordability with plastic body panels, hand-crank windows, and a revolutio...