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Dr. Eliot explores how AI self-driving cars can be stubborn. See his Forbes column for further info: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lanceeliot/
Self-driving cars are often presented as the future of transportation ; we're making them safer, smarter... and fully autonomous. But how close are we really to achieving a reality where we can turn our brains off and let our vehicles take us to everywhere we want to go? Is the artificial intelligence used in these vehicles truly advanced enough that they can replicate brain functions like perception, attention and adaptive decision-making, so we don't have to use our own cognition towards these tasks? In this episode, we explore the many challenges facing autonomous vehicles, from navigating unpredictable environments to imitating the human brain to make split-second decisions under uncertainty. This conversation dives into the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and artificial intelligence to better understand what it will take for autonomous technology to become fully reliable. This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen's University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/a Authors: Zara Sheikh, Eve Racette Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user's own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.
"Efficiency of Tyranny" Hosts: Darren Weeks, Vicky Davis Website for the show: https://governamerica.com Vicky's website: https://thetechnocratictyranny.com COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AND CREDITS AT: https://governamerica.com/radio/radio-archives/22666-govern-america-may-23-2026-efficiency-of-tyranny Listen LIVE every Saturday at 11AM Eastern or 8AM Pacific at http://governamerica.net or on your favorite app. DISCLOSURE: AI used for top-of-the-hour newscasts and break bumper music.One week after office was broken into by CIA and documents stolen, Tulsi Gabbard resigns from post as Director of National Intelligence to care for ailing husband. Contractor Dan Merrell, who paved over Charlie Kirk crime scene talks about FBI and Utah Governor's rush to get the job done right away. Israeli company announces dangerous aerial spraying operation with complete disregard for the environment. Trump skips Don Jr.'s wedding sparking speculation. Meanwhile, U.S. farmers speak out about the negative impact Trump's war on Iran is having on their operations. Nepal plagued by its "success" in saving tigers. Is the U.S. following the same pattern? Cougar sightings spike in Michigan. Trump says cyanide bombs can be used to target dangerous predators, and more.
Cities have been having issues with Waymo Cars. Would you feel safe riding in a self driving car?
Residents in Limerick, Montgomery County are not happy about the proposal to build an AI data center in their community. Primary election day is Tuesday, and there's really only one race that everyone's watching in Philadelphia: the race to fill Dwight Evans' congressional seat in District 3. We also hear about driverless cars in Philly, the PGA Championship, and the 76ers firing their president, as Matt Leon catches up with KYW's reporters about the biggest stories in the region this week. 00:00 Intro 02:01 Montco residents push back against proposed AI data center 07:02 Stanford, Rabb, or Street? Who will win the heated District 3 congressional election? 12:28 Questions about Waymo's driverless cars, and about SEPTA's budget 18:03 Sixers fire president Daryl Morey after second-round playoff defeat 25:05 Local stories on the green at PGA Championship 30:01 Odunde festival expands for 2026 Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's newly announced expansion ahead of the World Cup, the suddenly accelerating deterioration of the Uber/Waymo relationship, and the partnerships that actually matter for Uber's autonomous future.As Waymo expanded their U.S. service area by 1,400 square miles across 11 cities, Uber continued to amplify both their direct and indirect attacks against Waymo in the media and in a self-published report about deploying autonomous vehicles.Even as the deterioration of the relationship spreads into the news, Walt notes that the divorce narrative is already largely priced into Uber's stock, but the more interesting question is what happens next with Uber's remaining partners.Nuro recently opened an engineering and partnerships office in Munich, home to BMW, with Lucid notably absent from the press release and personally-owned autonomous vehicles mentioned directly. On the WeRide earnings call, the company outlined European expansion plans including Slovakia and made the case for a unified Level 2 to Level 4 platform.Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt discussed Volvo Autonomous Solutions' new Dallas-to-Houston lane and what the true definition of autonomous and what defines supervised.Episode Chapters00:00 Waymo's World Cup Expansion03:59 Waymo's Unforced Error05:08 The Waymo/Uber Divorce Narrative Goes Mainstream14:51 Nuro Opens Munich Office20:26 WeRide Eyes a Unified L2-to-L4 Platform22:47 Volvo Autonomous Solutions Dallas-to-Houston Lane23:49 What Defines Driverless31:39 Foreign Autonomy Desk32:04 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Residents of a wealthy Atlanta suburb are freaking out after Waymo cars invaded their neighborhood. There was no-one inside the self-driving cars. The empty Waymo cars just kept circling a cul de sac for hours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Autonomy Signals presented by KPMG, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss Uber's policy play to slow the deployment of robotaxis, BYD's costly market share gain, and Unitree going sci-fi with a production-ready Mecha robot.Uber recently released a policy paper titled Unlocking the Promise of Autonomy that emphasized that the transition to autonomy should move slowly through a phased hybrid model where mixed fleets of human drivers and autonomous vehicles share the platform for years.The report appears to be a regulatory framework designed to penalize the autonomy-only business model currently being deployed by both Waymo and Tesla, positioning Uber's hybrid approach as the only socially responsible path. In what appears to be a deliberate effort to slow down robotaxi deployments until Uber and their partners catch up.Over in China, BYD updated their Seagull EV with an optional God's Eye system, a roof-mounted LiDAR with Level 2+ capabilities running on NVIDIA Drive Orin for a starting retail price of $13,000. This is the first subcompact vehicle in the world equipped with premium autonomous hardware at this price point, putting pressure on Western automakers to compete. But the price point comes at a cost, as BYD's Q1 2026 net profit dropped 55% and operating cash flow collapsed 67%.Then there is Unitree, which launched the GD01 Man Transformable Mecha, a 1,100-pound, nine-foot pilotable robot that switches between bipedal and quadruped modes. Priced at approximately $650,000, the GD01 is a calculated engineering showcase flex ahead of Unitree's anticipated Shanghai Star Market IPO targeting a $7 billion valuation.The launch of the GD01 Man Transformable Mecha signals China's ability to rapidly prototype, commercialize, and scale embodied AI hardware at a pace Western competitors are struggling to match.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI01:33 Signal 1: Uber's Policy Play to Slowdown Robotaxis36:57 Signal 2: BYD's Costly Market Share Grab55:41 Signal 3: Unitree's GD01 Man Transformable Mecha--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Angus Pacala, Co-Founder and CEO, Ouster joined Grayson Brulte to discuss the launch of the native color REV8 LiDAR and how Ouster is positioning itself as the foundational sensing and perception layer for the physical AI economy.The LiDAR industry is currently undergoing a continual thinning out as the market shakes out and separates companies with strong marketing from those with high-quality, safety-critical products. Ouster has distinguished themselves by developing their own in-house custom silicon that delivers performance improvements historically seen in the broader semiconductor industry.The introduction of native color, developed through partnerships with Fujifilm and DxOMark, provides roboticists with synchronized color and depth, allowing for better perception in fields such as agriculture and urban navigation, where sensing the state of a stoplight or the color of a plant is essential for autonomous decision-making.With Ouster's recent acquisition of StereoLabs, the company has further expanded its reach into the humanoid and short-range robotics markets, offering a unified sensing platform that covers everything from long-range LiDAR to high-detail stereo vision.As Physical AI continues to accelerate, Ouster aims to be the sensing company for the autonomy economy.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI0:36 Changing LiDAR Industry03:56 Introducing REV813:42 Building Trust with Safety-Critical LiDAR17:53 Why Custom Silicon is Ouster's Moat25:33 Color Science Behind REV833:28 Can Color LiDAR Replace Cameras?36:36 StereoLabs Acquisition40:07 Ouster as a Sensing Company49:46 Defense Applications52:14 Future of Ouster--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sean O'Kane, Senior Reporter of Transportation at TechCrunch, joins Jon Hasen to discuss how Avride, Uber’s partner, is under investigation for crashes involving their driverless cars. To read more stories that Sean has covered, visit techcrunch.com/author/sean-okane/.
Today's story: What's it like to ride in a self-driving car? Jeff gives you a first-hand account of his first-ever ride in a robotaxi. In cities like Los Angeles, where Waymo operates, the future is already here. Requesting a car is just like using Uber. All that's left is to sit back and let the computer do the driving. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/863Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/863--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.comHard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Grayson's Las Vegas field work riding in Zoox and Motional robotaxis, Uber's earnings and the path to driver-out, and autonomous trucking earnings.The first thing Grayson did when he landed in Vegas was try to order a Zoox, but the service was not available until 11 AM and when it finally came online shortly after 11 AM, the wait time for the vehicle to arrive was 67 minutes.So he opened the Uber app and tried to order a Motional robotaxi, where he was paired with a Motional in under five minutes. During the one hour and seven minute Zoox wait time, he was able to ride down and back in two different Motional vehicles between Resorts World and the Luxor, arriving back with 21 minutes to spare.While he was in town, Grayson conducted field work at the Zoox depot where he counted more Toyota Highlander test vehicles than purpose-built Zoox robotaxis coming out of the depot. He also visited with the Nuro team at their test track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.While Grayson was busy conducting field work, Tesla crossed 10 billion FSD Supervised miles, while Uber's autonomy overhang continues as the benchmark for deploying robotaxis is driver-out, not with safety attendants.Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt discussed the latest earnings from Aurora and Kodiak and what Grayson learned at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas.Episode Chapters00:00 Field Work: Motional, Zoox and Las Vegas20:57 Uber's Autonomy Overhang23:50 Discounting Uber's Partnership with Waymo26:44 Nuro and Lucid Prepare to Scale32:52 Autonomous Trucking's Presence at the ACT Expo34:41 Aurora, Kodiak Updates from Earnings37:13 Politics and Autonomous Trucking in California39:01 The No Safety Attendant Bar for Autonomous Trucking44:10 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss Tesla's Unsupervised Robotaxi expansion to Dallas and Houston, Wisk Aero doubling its Gen 6 flight test fleet, and Meta's acquisition of Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI).Tesla recently launched Unsupervised Robotaxi in Houston and Dallas without chase vehicles, a structural shift from their January Austin debut where chase vehicles initially trailed the vehicles. The company's Unsupervised Robotaxi fleet has grown to north of 36 vehicles across the Austin, Dallas, and Houston markets.As Tesla continues to scale, Wisk Aero doubled their Gen 6 test fleet and successfully completed the first uncrewed flight of its second production prototype in Hollister, California. While the technical milestone is impressive, it does not shorten the regulatory distance to FAA type certification for autonomous passenger operations, a path categorically more complex than the one Joby and Archer are navigating with piloted aircraft.Then there is Meta, which acquired Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI) and folded the team into their Superintelligence Labs. This acquisition is the clearest signal yet that Meta is positioning its robotics AI models to become the Android of humanoid robotics, potentially enabling ecosystem partners to accelerate hardware deployments with an open-source operating system.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI01:31 Signal 1: Tesla Scales Unsupervised Robotaxis30:41 Signal 2: Wisk Aero Doubles Gen 6 Test Fleet50:32 Signal 3: Meta Acquires Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI)--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What's the best gift your parents ever gave you? In today's Keeping Up, we reflect on some of the lessons we want to leave our kids with, and how we're working toward teaching them. Paulina shares how her family practice perseverance on a hike in Yosemite, and Bricia talks about how moving to the United States was one of the best things to happen to her. We also touch on the latest happeings in our lives, from Bricia's new self-driving car to the concerts we've seen lately! Super Mamás IG: @_supermamas Facebook: Super Mamás Twitter: @_supermamas Website: http://supermamas.com/ This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's story: Self-driving cars have struggled for decades because driving requires human judgment in unpredictable situations. Early systems relied on strict rules, which failed in rare “long-tail” events. New AI systems can better handle these complex scenarios, leading to rapid growth in places like China and the U.S., though regulation and mapping still limit widespread adoption. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/861Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/861--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Bot Auto's fully autonomous commercial run from Houston to Dallas, Aurora's expanded partnership with Hirschbach, and Uber's CTO publicly criticizing Waymo on X over safety.With Bot Auto completing a 231 mile commercial paid run with no human in the cab, no safety driver, and no observer, the conversation evolves into a deeper discussion around the imminent Waymo robotaxi moment for autonomous trucking, with Kodiak operating fully autonomous in the Permian Basin and Aurora announcing a non-binding 500 truck MOU with Hirschbach representing roughly 15 percent of the carrier's fleet.While in Houston, Grayson conducted field work riding in a Tesla Unsupervised Robotaxi in the Cypress neighborhood, where he counted 24 robotaxis staged for launch at the Tesla service center, while observing that both the Tesla and Waymo vehicles drove aggressively in a similar manner to Houstonians.More signs emerged this week of the deteriorating relationship between Waymo and Uber as the CTO of Uber made a post on X accusing a Waymo of an aggressive maneuver against a Muni bus in San Francisco, a rare public criticism from a partner in a public forum, reinforcing the deteriorating relationship that appears to be on the verge of a divorce.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Grayson and Walt discuss China suspending new autonomous vehicle permits following the Baidu Apollo Go incident in Wuhan where 200 robotaxis simultaneously froze on March 31st, and WeRide's partnership with Lenovo to deploy 200,000 robotaxis over the next five years against a current fleet of 1,125 vehicles.Episode Chapters00:00 Field Work: Bot Auto Launches Fully Autonomous Commercial Service05:42 Aurora's Expanded Partnership with Hirschbach08:53 Congressman Ro Khanna's Anti-Autonomy Stance11:18 Uber and Hertz Partner for Robotaxi Fleet Servicing18:40 Avomo, Moove, and Uber's Fragmented Autonomy Strategy20:07 Uber CTO Publicly Criticizes Waymo on X24:13 Waymo's Next City: Cincinnati or Kansas City?27:30 Tesla Unsupervised Robotaxi in Houston34:37 China Suspends New Autonomous Vehicle Permits39:14 WeRide and Lenovo to Deploy 200,000 Robotaxis40:54 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dr. Eliot explains how AI self-driving cars could simply be based on using robots that can drive. See his Forbes column for further info: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lanceeliot/
This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss the WeRide and Lenovo autonomous vehicle partnership, Pronto's first deal under Atoms with Mariana Minerals, and Bot Auto's 231 mile driver out commercial run from Houston to Dallas.WeRide and Lenovo recently announced a five year non-binding partnership at Auto China 2026 to deploy 200,000 autonomous vehicles, a 200x scale from WeRide's current global fleet of 1,023 vehicles, with Lenovo's HPC 3.0 compute platform accelerating the growth. The HPC 3.0 platform performs under extreme temperatures with a focus on reducing emissions, signaling that the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union could be potential deployment markets.AUTNMY AI‘s proprietary OMEGA algorithm estimates fleet ownership costs between $10 and $20 billion. No funding partner or fleet owner partner has been announced to date.While WeRide and Lenovo made headlines this week, Pronto announced its first post-Atoms acquisition deal with Mariana Minerals. The mining company will deploy Pronto's autonomous haulage trucks at the Copper One mine in southeastern Utah, beginning with three trucks and scaling to fifteen by year end.Then there is Bot Auto, which made history this week as the first company to deploy an autonomous truck for paid commercial over-the-road freight on the Houston to Dallas lane. The Road to Autonomy team was on the ground to witness Bot Auto successfully complete a 231 mile fully autonomous driver-out commercial run, no human in the cab, no observer, no individual with a CDL.A field report will be released next Tuesday.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI02:00 Signal 1: WeRide and Lenovo Partner to Accelerate Autonomous Vehicle Deployments26:21 Signal 2: Pronto Deploys Autonomous Haulage Trucks with Mariana Minerals44:30 Signal 3: Bot Auto Goes Driver-Out Over-the-Road--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The evolving legal and operational landscape for autonomous vehicles (AVs), specifically within Texas and Arizona. Legislative efforts such as Texas Senate Bill 2807 and the federal SELF DRIVE Act aim to establish safety standards, data reporting mandates, and clear licensing protocols for driverless commercial fleets. Beyond regulation, the texts explore complex liability frameworks, debating whether manufacturers should be held to a strict liability standard or a "reasonable human driver" benchmark during accidents. Real-world implementations are also highlighted, including the expansion of Tesla and Waymo robotaxis and the resulting challenges for law enforcement regarding traffic citations. Additionally, a regional survey contextualizes the political climate in these states by comparing public attitudes on polarized issues like abortion access and governance. Collectively, the documents illustrate a transition toward a future where automated systems must be integrated into existing societal and judicial structures.
Today’s Buzz Question - Self‑driving cars in California?Love them, Hate them, Not Ready for them. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s Buzz Question - Self‑driving cars in California?Love them, Hate them, Not Ready for them. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Taylor Brownstein, Director, Technology Investment Banking, TD Cowen joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss how Wall Street is funding the autonomy economy.The autonomous vehicle and truck markets are currently experiencing a healthy rebound from the 2021 to 2023 hype cycle, driven by real commercialization, the Physical AI tailwind, and a more disciplined investor base that is now focusing on companies that are growing businesses focused on commercialization, not just technology.Capital is king. Over the next 18 months or so, the autonomy markets are expected to consolidate as companies that are unable to raise capital, retain and hire talent will fall further behind, as their competitors continue to raise capital that accelerates their growth.In this market, dual use is one of the most compelling opportunities as the Department of War actively embraces automation and autonomy. But at the end of the day, no matter what it all comes down to the economics of the business.Then there are the public markets. The SPAC window is currently open for companies with paying customers and the potential for long-term growth.While the traditional IPO path remains largely closed to pre-revenue/early-stage autonomy companies as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic absorb all the air in the room, making SPACs paired with PIPE capital the most realistic route to the public markets for the next wave of autonomous vehicle and truck companies at this time.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI0:37 Autonomy is Back in Vogue4:11 Unit Economics9:51 Dual-Use Applications22:24 Consolidation29:22 The Robotaxi Competitors: Waymo and Tesla42:38 SPACs with PIPE Capital45:05 Traditional IPOs50:55 Market Signals --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, Susie Arnett, Director of Wellness Programming at Six Senses, shares what happened when a self-driving car company asked her to design a "moving sanctuary," and how the three pillars she landed on (productivity, social, and wellbeing) apply to any space where people spend time. You'll come away with a framework for thinking about hospitality across cars, schools, hospitals, and senior living, and a test you can use on your property tomorrow.Read Susie's full take on this work in The Moving Sanctuary, and follow more of her writing at The Transformational Concierge.Previous episodes with Susie:From MTV Producer to Leading Wellness Programming: Lessons and Observations for HospitalityThe Istanbul Insight: What Modern Spas Are Missing"Collective Effervescence" Is the Point of HospitalityAI Knows What Your Guests Need Before You Do A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Tesla's dedicated Supercharger build-out for Robotaxi in Arizona, Kodiak's autonomous trucking operations in the Permian Basin, and Mobileye's defensive posture on their Q1 earnings call.With Tesla launching unsupervised robotaxis in Dallas and Houston this week, the conversation evolves into a deeper discussion around newly filed permits for 56 dedicated, non-public V4 Superchargers in Chandler, Arizona, and a second private charging depot in Mesa, signaling Tesla is building dedicated Robotaxi infrastructure as the original 12-market scale plan slips into Q3.Out in the Permian Basin, Grayson conducted field work with Kodiak and Atlas Energy Solutions, inspected the depot, and watched fully autonomous trucks operate off-road in the middle of the oil fields, picking up sand at the end of the 40-mile Dune Express sand conveyor.During Mobileye's Q1 2026 earnings call, when asked about their autonomous driving partnerships, the tone turned defensive on Volkswagen's longer-term commitment and the emerging competitive threat of NVIDIA's growing ambitions.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Grayson and Walt discuss Huawei's $11.7 billion continued commitment to autonomous driving on the mainland and Pony.ai's plan to operate more than 3,000 robotaxis across 20 cities globally by the end of 2026, with over half deployed outside mainland China.Episode Chapters00:00 Permian Basin Field Work: Kodiak & Atlas Energy Solutions08:51 Tesla Launches Unsupervised Robotaxi in Dallas and Houston13:16 Tesla's Dedicated Robotaxi Superchargers in Arizona15:38 AUTNMY AI16:45 Avride's 200 Vehicles19:19 A Tale of Two SPACs, PlusAI & Einride20:45 Zoox Expands Testing to Miami and Las Vegas Airport23:55 Mobileye Goes on Autonomy Defense32:22 Foreign Autonomy Desk34:24 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lipstick is economic soup for the stressed soul… And L'Oreal is the Lipstick Effect in real life.Elon dropped a truth bomb: 4M Teslas can't drive themselves… Up next? Operation Body Shop.Should you ask your boss approve that business trip?... We ran the ROI on Biz Trips.Plus, adults are pregaming like it's college again… Because in this economy, 5 DIY Negronis = 1 Bar Negroni.$LRLCY $TSLA $SPYNEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter OUR 2ND SHOW:Want more business storytelling from us? Check our weekly deepdive show, The Best Idea Yet: The untold origin story of the products you're obsessed with. Listen for free to The Best Idea Yet: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/NEW LISTENERSFill out our 2 minute survey: https://qualtricsxm88y5r986q.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dp1FDYiJgt6lHy6GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Linkedin (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/Linkedin (Jack): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss autonomous military cargo helicopters, Caterpillar's acquisition of Monarch Tractor's intellectual property, and the termination of the PlusAI and Churchill Capital IX SPAC merger.Airbus recently conducted its fourth flight test of the MQ-72C autonomous cargo helicopter for the United States Marine Corps, in partnership with L3Harris, Perry Labs, and Shield AI. While the test was a success, AUTNMY AI‘s proprietary OMEGA algorithm assesses that the MQ-72C will not achieve commercial deployment before 2028.The market is potentially conflating the 2028 military initial operating capability target with commercial market entry, a category error that overstates the near-term commercial opportunity by two to three years and ignores the ITAR, FAA certification, and program authorization constraints that structurally preclude civilian deployment.Then there is Caterpillar's acquisition of the intellectual property and core assets of Monarch Tractor. This is not an agriculture story, this is a data story. Caterpillar is acquiring eight years of real-world field data, two to four million labeled frames across 40,000 acres of specialty crop terrain, and a patent portfolio covering obstacle avoidance, vehicle follow systems, and battery swap technology.The Monarch acquisition represents a $15 to $40 million purchase of a $350 to $500 million replacement cost software and perception stack, compressing the model training timeline for edge case optical detection by an estimated 18 to 30 months.While Caterpillar is ingesting data to accelerate its construction and mining autonomy programs, the autonomous trucking capital markets delivered a different signal this week. PlusAI and Churchill Capital IX mutually agreed to terminate their proposed business combination.Even with the PlusAI SPAC being terminated, the autonomous trucking market as a whole remains healthy.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI01:16 Signal 1: Airbus Completes 4th Flight Test of the MQ-72C Autonomous Cargo Helicopter23:29 Signal 2: Caterpillar Acquires Monarch Tractor IP47:17 Signal 3: PlusAI and Churchill Capital IX SPAC Termination--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Kelly Smith, Lead Systems Engineer for Autonomy, Kodiak Robotics joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss deploying autonomous trucks at NASA speed.Drawing on 13 years of experience engineering autonomy systems at NASA, including guidance software for the Orion spacecraft that flew to the moon and back on Artemis II, Kelly is applying aerospace-grade safety discipline to the deployment of autonomous trucks at Kodiak.NASA's approach to safety-critical software, including Class A flight software standards, probabilistic risk assessment, redundant flight computers, and dissimilar backup systems, is the same discipline Kodiak is applying to its autonomous operations in the Permian Basin and to its over-the-road deployment on the Dallas Fort-Worth to Atlanta lane.Using a tool called Breakpoint to surface rare, high-consequence failure modes, Kodiak is continuously updating its risk model to responsibly burn down risk and safely scale autonomous trucking.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI0:37 13 Years of Autonomy at NASA2:50 Space Latency04:12 Returning to the Moon06:09 Orion's Autonomy Stack10:25 NASA's Mission-Critical Software15:16 Reentry19:35 Fully Autonomous Space Operations24:43 Bringing NASA Rigor to Kodiak28:49 Deploying Autonomous Trucks in the Permian37:06 The Future of Mission-Critical Engineering--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo's expansion in Florida, Uber's continued investments in physical assets, and the potential for agentic AI to disrupt traditional rideshare apps.With Waymo opening service to the general public in Miami and Orlando this week, the conversation evolves into a deeper discussion around Disney's strategic alliances and which company, Waymo or Glydways, will eventually secure a contract to operate at Walt Disney World.Across the pond, Waymo began autonomous driving in London as Uber continues to pour capital into physical assets while doubling down on their Lucid investment with another $200 million. Uber's physical asset strategy sparked a debate of whether or not Uber can truly remain asset-light and what impact agentic AI bots will have on their business.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Grayson and Walt discuss Japan's autonomous vehicle investment goals, Tesla's Netherlands FSD approval, and WeRide's expansion into L2 ADAS.Episode Chapters00:00 Waymo Opens Miami & Orlando Markets, but No Disney World Yet01:36 The Mickey Mouse Tax: Who Gets the Disney Contract?07:54 Waymo Begins Autonomous Driving in London08:53 Wayve Raises $60M from Chipmakers12:32 Uber Doubles Down on Lucid22:27 Lyft's Flexdrive Nashville Depot for Waymo27:18 Will Agentic AI Make Rideshare Apps Obsolete?28:00 Maryland Lawmakers Fail to Vote, State Does Not Get Autonomous Vehicles30:36 Foreign Autonomy Desk32:58 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Waymo is now delivering hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous rides each week — but getting there required more than better models. It meant building a complete system for training, evaluating, and deploying a driver in the real world. In this episode — originally aired on the Cheeky Pint podcast — Waymo Co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov joins John Collison to break down how self-driving actually works today: from sensor fusion across LiDAR, radar, and cameras, to simulation, “critic” models, and the role of AI in decision-making. They also explore why full autonomy is fundamentally different from driver-assist, what it takes to scale globally, and how recent advances in AI are reshaping the path forward. Resources: Follow Dmitri Dolgov on X - https://x.com/dmitri_dolgov Follow John Collison on X - https://x.com/collision Stay Updated:Find a16z on YouTube: YouTubeFind a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss Ukraine's emerging role in the autonomy economy, the macroeconomic environment for Physical AI, train automation, and accelerating warehouse automation.Ukraine has achieved the largest real-world stress testing of autonomous systems in recorded history, deploying ground and aerial systems for over 22,000 missions in the first three months of the year. AUTNMY AI‘s proprietary OMEGA algorithm assesses that Ukraine's combat data-sharing initiative, which offers allied governments and tech startups access to real battlefield data, is the most underpriced event in the global autonomy economy.Then there is the macroeconomic environment for Physical AI, that is fundamentally more supportive and durable than the hype of the 2017/2018 Industry 4.0 cycle. Today it's all about economics and the return on investment. Unlike previously, companies can now deploy a $250,000 autonomous construction system to replace $180,000-a-year skilled labor cost and achieve an 18-month payback period that is practically immune to interest rate cycles.While that is the Physical AI macroeconomic environment, the rail environment for autonomy is still in flux, despite a recently struck deal between Union Pacific and the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA). The deal between Union Pacific and ATDA will see the railroad guarantee lifetime employment for 1,300 current active dispatchers in exchange for supporting a proposed merger with Norfolk Southern and not opposing automation.While the ATDA will not oppose automation as long as the merger closes, the 125,000-member SMART-TD union explicitly excluded automation concessions from their national agreement. With a new agreement coming in 2030, this is the one to watch.While we wait for negotiations in that deal to open in 2029, warehouse automation is currently leading to a 10% increase in rents for automation-ready facilities. Premium, power-dense industrial properties are emerging as a foundational layer in the global autonomy economy.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI01:18 Signal 1: Ukraine's Emerging Role in the Autonomy Economy30:57 Signal 2: The Macro Environment for Physical AI55:25 Signal 3: Train Automation Gains Steam in the U.S. (Or So it Appears)1:18:41 Signal 4: Warehouse Automation Accelerates--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Self-driving cars are showing up in unexpected places, including the snowy streets of Truckee. But local officials say they weren't formally told the testing was happening.
David Millard, Co-Founder & CEO of Azalea Robotics joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss building and deploying autonomous robotics baggage handling robots in airports.The company's flagship robot, the ARC One, is a mobile, cage-free autonomous system that utilizes suction gripper technology and computer vision to pick, scan, and place bags onto carts inside airport bag rooms.With over 2 million bags lost annually in the U.S., Azalea is looking to solve the lost baggage problem. Requiring zero infrastructure modifications, Azalea is designed to scale with a flexible business model that enables airports and airlines to scale up and scale down as required by operations.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI0:24 Building Autonomous Baggage Handling Robots5:44 ARC 1 Robot9:34 Deploying ARC 1 Robots at Airports27:57 Robots as a Service38:50 Scaling Beyond Airports --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading market intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The road to success for self-driving cars runs through Capitol Hill, where executives from Waymo, Tesla, and other firms testified before Congress as lawmakers contemplate new regulations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Uber and VW validating the ID. Buzz in Los Angeles as they prepare for commercial service, Europe's first commercial robotaxi service, and Waymo's New York City dilemma.With Uber and VW's MOIA conducting on-road validation testing for the ID. Buzz in Los Angeles, the conversation evolves into a deeper discussion around what a launch means. Is it considered a launch if there are safety drivers?As Uber launches new robotaxi markets with safety drivers, Waymo continues to open new markets without them. This week Waymo brought Nashville online with fully autonomous commercial service across a 60-square-mile area.Waymo's launch partner in Nashville is Lyft, but a post on X from Lyft CEO David Risher hinted that Lyft's Flexdrive depot is not yet fully operational, leading Grayson and Walt to debate whether this deal came together faster than either side anticipated.Then there is New York, a city that appears to not want autonomous vehicles. The New York City Department of Transportation did not renew Waymo's testing permit, which expired on March 31st. Which means Waymo can no longer test in autonomous mode, but they can drive the city and gather data, acting as a mobile billboard to build local buzz and political pressure.Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt discuss Tesla FSD 14.3.Episode Chapters00:00 Sidewalk Robots in Philadelphia Go Overboard 01:33 Uber and MOIA Begin On-Road Validation Testing08:35 Uber/Verne/Pony AI Launch First Europe Robotaxi Service 14:46 Waymo Open Nashville Market with Lyft22:20 New York Says, No Autonomy For You!30:47 Walt's Take on Tesla FSD 14.338:34 PlusAI's Revenue Projections40:29 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading market intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
I took a Waymo with my colleague Cyrus. We were genuinely impressed. It was a seamless experience. Uber is dead, long live Waymo? Not So Fast. The post Uber and Self-Driving Cars: The Utilization Problem Nobody Talks About – Ep 286 appeared first on The Intellectual Investor - Value Investing by Vitaliy Katsenelson.
This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss the Artemis II mission, Amazon's coordinated embodied AI acquisitions, HD Hyundai's Avikus DNV maritime autonomy certification from Norway, and declining AI bubble odds on Polymarket.NASA's Artemis II crew traveled 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13 by over 4,000 miles. An achievement that is extraordinary in itself. AUTNMY AI‘s proprietary OMEGA algorithm identified the mission as a human supervised automation event, not a fully autonomous one, creating a semantic conflation risk as the market is mispricing how autonomous the program truly is today.With Artemis III scheduled for 2028 and self-driving lunar terrain vehicles part of the mission, autonomous vehicles will most likely be operating on the moon before New York City due to New York State and City policy. The constraint is policy, not technology.Amazon's simultaneous acquisition of Fauna Robotics and RIVR is a coordinated platform play to acquire real world interaction data at a moment of physical AI data scarcity. While Amazon made acquisitions, BMW deployed a Hexagon wheeled humanoid on its German production line, and Figure AI said they can assemble a humanoid in 90 minutes, with consolidation emerging as the defining structural trend in embodied AI.From embodied AI to maritime autonomy, the autonomy economy is beginning to take shape. HD Hyundai's HiNAS navigation system recently received DNV type approval from Norway, enabling fully autonomous commercial vessel operations as the risk of NVIDIA moving into maritime autonomy and vertically integrating lingers.Polymarket AI bubble odds declined to 19%. With OMEGA assesses that the bubble framing is wrong. The operative risk is which layer of the stack survives the transition from speculative deployment to industrial accountability.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI01:10 Signal 1: Artemis || Launch and the Autonomy Gap25:21 Signal 2: Early Signs of Embodied AI Consolidation57:12 Signal 3: Maritime Autonomy01:16:46 Signal 4: Polymarket AI Bubble Odds Decline to 19%01:23:39 Closing--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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If/Then: Research findings to help us navigate complex issues in business, leadership, and society
“Masculinity is my new frontier,” says Ashley Martin, an associate professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Martin, whose work examines why gender plays such a central role in how we perceive and make sense of others, has been looking at how traits associated with masculinity are simultaneously organizationally rewarded even as they're personally harmful to men. “We spend a lot of time talking about gender inequality through the lens of women's disadvantage,” she says. “I think that many of the problems that we're seeing today… are actually bound up in masculinity.” What impact do you think masculinity and femininity have on our work and our world? Tell us more at ifthenpod@stanford.edu.Related Content:Ashley Martin faculty profile Is that Self-Driving Car a Boy or a Girl? Why Taking Gender Out of the Equation Is So DifficultChapters:00:00 How movies shape our ideas about masculinity04:02 Introduction05:15 How Ashley Martin got into studying gender05:58 When gender is removed from hiring07:10 The “pet rock” study10:35 The universal use of gender13:02 Gendering objects15:12 How masculinity affects men18:13 The current implications of Martin's research20:41 What healthier models of masculinity might look like23:47 Ashley's next frontier: masculinity, material culture, and social problems25:07 ConclusionIf/Then, from Stanford GSB, features conversations with faculty that explore how their research deepens our understanding of business and leadership.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Greg Okopal, Co-Founder & COO, Overland AI joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the founding of Overland AI at University of Washington.Early on, Overland AI participated in the DARPA RACER program, growing from a company operating out of shipping containers at a rally driving school in Snoqualmie, Washington, to recently raising a $100 million round led by 8VC with continued participation from Point72 Ventures.Today, Overland AI has autonomous vehicles embedded with the 82nd Airborne, where troops are actively using their flagship uncrewed vehicle, the Ultra, for last-mile resupply, establishing communications bubbles, and route-proofing ahead of manned convoys. The Ultra is designed to allow troops to easily swap payloads and perform maintenance directly in the field, increasing its modularity.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI0:24 DARPA RACER Program7:43 Field First Development16:30 Designing the Ultra21:38 How Troops Are Using the Ultra30:25 When Do Weapons Enter the Picture?39:57 The Future of Overland AI--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading market intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop sits down with Lucas McKenna, Director of Europe at Point One Navigation, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of robotics and autonomous systems. They cover topics including the SLAM algorithm and how robots map and position themselves in the world, the role of GPS and sensor fusion in precise localization, swarm robotics and the debate between centralized and decentralized robot intelligence, the differences between urban and rural robotics applications, specialized versus general-purpose robots, the business models around robot ownership and rental, and how autonomous mobility is taking shape differently in Europe versus the United States. They also touch on the cultural implications of robots becoming a fixture in everyday life and what it might mean for human community and connection.Show Notes- Lucas McKenna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-mckenna-79269053/- Point One Navigation: https://pointonenav.comTimestamps00:00 - Stewart introduces Luca McKenna from Point One Navigation, diving into robotics and the SLAM algorithm for simultaneous localization and mapping.05:00 - Luca explains swarm robotics, where multiple robots share environmental data, building collective maps that improve positioning accuracy over time.10:00 - Discussion shifts to urban versus rural robot deployment, covering drone delivery limitations, obstacle avoidance challenges, and skyscraper navigation complexity.15:00 - Luca distinguishes specialized versus general-purpose robots, predicting purpose-built machines like seed planters and window washers will dominate near-term deployment.20:00 - Stewart raises unstructured visual data challenges, drawing parallels to AI text processing, while Luca details GPS infrastructure layers enabling precise robot positioning.25:00 - Consumer robot visibility discussed, including Waymo expansion, autonomous delivery robots, and geographic limitations of current self-driving services.30:00 - Robot ownership versus rental models explored, touching on rare earth mineral costs, Chinese supply chains, and economic barriers to personal robot ownership.35:00 - Luca explains state estimation systems using GPS satellites, accelerometers, and gyroscopes working together, contrasting fundamental mathematics against machine learning approaches.40:00 - Sensor fusion parallels between smartphones and autonomous vehicles revealed, explaining how phones mirror car navigation systems at reduced accuracy and cost.45:00 - Conversation concludes examining robots impact on community culture, with Luca advocating autonomous public transit over individualist robotaxis to strengthen human connection.Key Insights1. SLAM is foundational to robot navigation. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) allows robots to map their environment and position themselves within it using computer vision and LiDAR sensors. Unlike humans, who instinctively understand their surroundings, robots require precise algorithmic systems to avoid obstacles and navigate safely.2. GPS and sensor fusion solve the positioning problem. Robots combine absolute sensors like GPS with relative sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to maintain accurate positioning. In challenging environments like tunnels or dense cities, these sensors compensate for each other, ensuring continuous and reliable location data.3. Swarm robotics enables collective environmental intelligence. When one robot maps a new area, that data becomes available to all connected robots. This decentralized-yet-centralized model means the entire fleet benefits from each individual robot's experience, continuously improving map quality and navigation precision.4. Specialized robots will dominate before general-purpose ones. Rather than multipurpose humanoid robots, the near-term future favors robots designed for single tasks—delivering food, planting seeds, or drawing lane lines—because the economics and technical bar are far more achievable than building versatile machines.5. Urban, suburban, and rural environments demand different robotic solutions. Open skies in rural areas make GPS-based drones effective, while dense cities require complex sensor stacks. European approaches favor autonomous public transit, while American models lean toward individual robotaxi services.6. Robots will largely be rented as services, not owned. The high cost of hardware, rare earth minerals, and the extensive data required for safe operation makes personal robot ownership impractical for most consumers. Business models will resemble subscription or usage-based services.7. Fundamental mathematics still outperforms machine learning for positioning. Despite AI advances, state estimation systems rely on proven mathematical formulas rather than transformer-based models, which currently underperform classical methods in 3D reconstruction and precise localization tasks.
In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop sits down with Lucas McKenna, Director of Europe at Point One Navigation, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of robotics and autonomous systems. They cover topics including the SLAM algorithm and how robots map and position themselves in the world, the role of GPS and sensor fusion in precise localization, swarm robotics and the debate between centralized and decentralized robot intelligence, the differences between urban and rural robotics applications, specialized versus general-purpose robots, the business models around robot ownership and rental, and how autonomous mobility is taking shape differently in Europe versus the United States. They also touch on the cultural implications of robots becoming a fixture in everyday life and what it might mean for human community and connection.Show Notes- Lucas McKenna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-mckenna-79269053/- Point One Navigation: https://pointonenav.comTimestamps00:00 - Stewart introduces Luca McKenna from Point One Navigation, diving into robotics and the SLAM algorithm for simultaneous localization and mapping.05:00 - Luca explains swarm robotics, where multiple robots share environmental data, building collective maps that improve positioning accuracy over time.10:00 - Discussion shifts to urban versus rural robot deployment, covering drone delivery limitations, obstacle avoidance challenges, and skyscraper navigation complexity.15:00 - Luca distinguishes specialized versus general-purpose robots, predicting purpose-built machines like seed planters and window washers will dominate near-term deployment.20:00 - Stewart raises unstructured visual data challenges, drawing parallels to AI text processing, while Luca details GPS infrastructure layers enabling precise robot positioning.25:00 - Consumer robot visibility discussed, including Waymo expansion, autonomous delivery robots, and geographic limitations of current self-driving services.30:00 - Robot ownership versus rental models explored, touching on rare earth mineral costs, Chinese supply chains, and economic barriers to personal robot ownership.35:00 - Luca explains state estimation systems using GPS satellites, accelerometers, and gyroscopes working together, contrasting fundamental mathematics against machine learning approaches.40:00 - Sensor fusion parallels between smartphones and autonomous vehicles revealed, explaining how phones mirror car navigation systems at reduced accuracy and cost.45:00 - Conversation concludes examining robots impact on community culture, with Luca advocating autonomous public transit over individualist robotaxis to strengthen human connection.Key Insights1. SLAM is foundational to robot navigation. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) allows robots to map their environment and position themselves within it using computer vision and LiDAR sensors. Unlike humans, who instinctively understand their surroundings, robots require precise algorithmic systems to avoid obstacles and navigate safely.2. GPS and sensor fusion solve the positioning problem. Robots combine absolute sensors like GPS with relative sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes to maintain accurate positioning. In challenging environments like tunnels or dense cities, these sensors compensate for each other, ensuring continuous and reliable location data.3. Swarm robotics enables collective environmental intelligence. When one robot maps a new area, that data becomes available to all connected robots. This decentralized-yet-centralized model means the entire fleet benefits from each individual robot's experience, continuously improving map quality and navigation precision.4. Specialized robots will dominate before general-purpose ones. Rather than multipurpose humanoid robots, the near-term future favors robots designed for single tasks—delivering food, planting seeds, or drawing lane lines—because the economics and technical bar are far more achievable than building versatile machines.5. Urban, suburban, and rural environments demand different robotic solutions. Open skies in rural areas make GPS-based drones effective, while dense cities require complex sensor stacks. European approaches favor autonomous public transit, while American models lean toward individual robotaxi services.6. Robots will largely be rented as services, not owned. The high cost of hardware, rare earth minerals, and the extensive data required for safe operation makes personal robot ownership impractical for most consumers. Business models will resemble subscription or usage-based services.7. Fundamental mathematics still outperforms machine learning for positioning. Despite AI advances, state estimation systems rely on proven mathematical formulas rather than transformer-based models, which currently underperform classical methods in 3D reconstruction and precise localization tasks.
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Waymo expanding service to the San Antonio Airport, the company's need for another OEM partner and Baidu's mishap in China.With Waymo opening service at the San Antonio Airport complete with curbside drop offs and a short walk to the designated rideshare pickup area, the conversation evolves into a deeper discussion about airport politics and robotaxis.Which brings us to Waymo and their current vehicle fleet. Does Waymo have enough vehicles to continue to scale at the pace they are scaling? Or do they need an additional OEM partner? Or will an 800 volt charging architecture solve their vehicle supply issue? Walt says Waymo needs more vehicles, while Grayson predicts that Waymo will announce an additional OEM partner by the end of the year and give the market more details on their relationship with Toyota.Over in China, Baidu's Apollo Go suffered a major mishap with vehicles stopping, causing crashes and trapping passengers for up to two hours in their robotaxis, raising questions about the current state of Chinese autonomous driving technology.Wrapping up the conversation, Grayson and Walt discuss WeRide going driverless in Dubai with Uber and launching 11 vehicles in Singapore with Grab as part of the foreign autonomy desk.Episode Chapters00:00 Waymo Expands to the San Antonio Airport06:07 Does Waymo Need Another OEM Partner?13:24 800 Volt Charging Architecture and Fleet Scaling19:05 Baidu's Apollo Go Robotaxis Fail in Wuhan23:47 China's Autonomous Belt and Road Strategy26:33 Waabi30:02 Tesla Austin Robotaxi Expansion33:14 FSD 14.338:00 Senator Markey Remote Operators Investigation41:34 Foreign Autonomy Desk45:50 Next Week--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the definitive media brand covering the Autonomy Economy™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletter: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss China's $400 billion robotics investment, surging Chinese auto exports with advanced autonomous driving systems (ADAS), and rising compute costs that could reshape the autonomy economy.China is preparing to invest $400 billion in robotics this year as the country looks to further strengthen its current physical AI dominance. As China prepares to further invest in robotics, Chinese technology companies such as Xpeng that manufacture electric vehicles are beginning to share manufacturing lines and supply chains between electric vehicles and humanoid robots, reducing labor costs by 35%.With Xpeng aims to produce a thousand humanoids a month by year end. AUTNMY AI's proprietary AI algorithm, OMEGA, assesses that this convergence ensures Chinese humanoid platforms could achieve commercial viability 24 to 36 months ahead of US counterparts, and that standalone US robotics startups lacking automotive manufacturing synergies could face a mass extinction event by 2028.As China invests in robotics at home, Chinese automakers exported a record 7.1 million cars in 2025 with nearly 50% featuring advanced ADAS, and that pattern is only accelerating in 2026 partly due to margin compression on the mainland.While China is accelerating its export of electric vehicles with ADAS, Chinese autonomous vehicle companies, WeRide, Baidu and Pony AI are rapidly expanding into the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia through partnerships with Uber and Lyft, allowing these companies to bypass customer acquisition costs and avoid potential regulatory friction.This is setting up to be a potential Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative, where China embeds its autonomous driving technology into global transit systems, both public and private sector, the same way Belt and Road embedded Chinese influence through infrastructure investment.Closing out the show, the third signal points to a potential compute cost inflation cycle with AMD and Intel likely looking to raise chip prices 15% amid a global shortage. Tying all of the signals together, OMEGA assesses that the primary constraints on the autonomy economy are no longer software or LLM capabilities but NdFeB magnets, high torque actuators, and advanced semiconductor packaging.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI00:40 Signal 1: China's Planned $400 Billion Investment in Robotics21:11 Signal 2: Surging Chinese Automotive Exports & Growing Global Robotaxi Expansions 40:06 Signal 3: Increasing Compute Costs44:01 Closing--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading market intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Martyn Briggs, Director, Thematic Investing Strategy, Bank of America joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss why Physical AI is no longer a concept on the horizon but an era that continues to emerge across humanoids, autonomous vehicles, drones, and industrial robotics.AI has left the chat, and is moving from digital text-based intelligence to the physical world. Last year, 20,000 humanoids were manufactured, 80 percent of which were in China. The market for humanoids is projected to grow exponentially to 1.2 million by 2030 and 10 million by 2035, driven by falling component costs, simulation-to-real transfer breakthroughs, and the convergence of generative AI with robotics.Across the autonomous vehicle landscape, L2+ advanced driver assistance is emerging as the trust gateway to full L4 autonomy. As consumers grow comfortable with supervised automation on highways, the path to trusting robotaxis becomes shorter and shorter. The physical AI opportunity extends well beyond the United States, with Europe and the UK positioned to deploy robotaxis as an economic driver across dense urban corridors.Episode Chapters0:00 AUTNMY AI00:24 Physical AI Primer07:51 Open Source Physical AI Models12:46 The ChatGPT Moment for Robotics15:56 Scaling Humanoids27:17 Capital Flowing to Embodied AI29:28 Fleet Infrastructure, Real Estate & Charging31:43 OEM Struggles, Consumer Demand for L442:08 Waymo in London & Europe's Robotaxi Opportunity49:16 UAE as a Global Autonomy Market52:14 Autonomous Trucking57:30 Drones and Scaling Physical AI59:53 The Future of Physical AI--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the definitive media brand covering the Autonomy Economy™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How a secret project at Google led to driverless cars on American roads. Freakonomics Radio shares a story from our friends at Search Engine. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Alex Davies, author of Driven: The Race To Create the Autonomous Car. Chris Urmson, co-founder and C.E.O. of Aurora. Don Burnette, founder and C.E.O. of Kodiak AI. PJ Vogt, reporter, writer, and host of the Search Engine podcast. Sebastian Thrun, roboticist, C.E.O. of Sage AI Labs, adjunct faculty at Stanford University. Timothy B. Lee, author of Understanding AI newsletter. RESOURCES: "Very few of Waymo's most serious crashes were Waymo's fault," by Kai Williams (Understand AI, 2025). Driven: The Race to Create the Autonomous Car, by Alex Davies (2021). "An Oral History of the Darpa Grand Challenge, the Grueling Robot Race That Launched the Self-Driving Car," by Alex Davies (WIRED, 2017). Understanding AI, newsletter on Substack. Waymo Safety Dashboard. EXTRAS: "The Fascinatingly Mundane Secrets of the World's Most Exclusive Nightclub," by Freakonomics Radio (2024). Search Engine, podcast by PJ Vogt. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Siegfried becomes the King of the micro-nation of Svensensfjord. Featuring two new stories: “Self Driving Cars”, a story about what happens when technology goes awry, written by Grey, a 10 year old from Colorado, and “The Birth of Soup”, a story about the brave pioneers who first created hot, spilly liquid, written by an 8 year old from Illinois named Josie. Peter and Lee also read more stories written by kids in the latest installment of Story Love. Check out a longer, more awesome version of Story Love on YouTube! Submit kids’ stories at storypirates.com/submit-a-story Check out Story Quest, our in-school digital creative writing program, at storypirates.com/about-story-quest Learn about Story Love, our corporate volunteer program, at storypirateschangemakers.org/story-loveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From 03/05 Hour 3: The Sports Junkies debate how much they trust self driving cars.
03/05 Hour 3: How Much Do You Trust Self Driving Cars - 1:00 What's The Junkies' Biggest Life Leak - 15:00 Callers Describe Their Biggest Life Leak - 32:00
In the streets of Astoria, Queens, New York City, the Islamic call to prayer now echoes loudly over loudspeakers, blending with everyday American life as pedestrians and vehicles pass by. This amplified broadcast, once limited, expanded significantly after 2023 city policies permitted it on Fridays and during Ramadan without special permits, raising concerns among many that it represents an aggressive push of Islamic practices into public spaces. Critics view the growing presence of these calls as a deliberate step in eroding traditional American culture and freedoms, with no similar accommodations granted to other faiths in comparable settings abroad. Are we seeing the Islamification of America? We also cover: Rhode Island Hockey Shooting We Have a Deal with Cuba? AOC Fact Checks Marco Rubio Kamala Harris Visiting Georgia RIP Rev. Jesse Jackson Elon Musk Mocked 10 Yrs Gas Prices in California TMZ Gets a 4th Letter DMV is Racist? 00:00 Pat Gray UNLEASHED! 00:53 Another Trans Shooter in Rhode Island 09:41 President Trump's Deal with Cuba? 11:57 Donald Trump Calls-Out Hillary Clinton 14:52 Donald Trump Calls-Out Both AOC & Gavin Newsom 16:28 AOC Doesn't Know Where the Equator is 19:02 AOC Doesn't Know History 22:56 Kamala Harris is Out in Georgia 27:22 President Trump Asked about Kristi Noem Rumors 31:39 Fat Five 48:44 FLASHBACK: Elon Musk Mocked about Self-Driving Cars 10 Years Ago 54:28 Gas Prices in California are TOO HIGH! 1:13:33 Call to Prayer in NYC at Five in the Morning 1:21:17 Don't Pull the Filibuster! 1:28:13 The DMV is Racist, Right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices