Advertise on podcast: The TechMobility Podcast

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A robotaxi with no steering wheel is no longer just a Silicon Valley rumor. I dig into the latest Cybercab talk coming out of Tesla’s orbit, what testing in Austin signals, and the question we all dodge until it’s our turn at the curb: would you get into a car with no human driver, no pedals, and no wheel? Along the way, I ground the hype in where autonomous vehicles actually stand today, why Waymo remains the benchmark for robotaxi service, and why regulators still treat “fully autonomous” as a claim that has to be proven mile after mile. Then I pivot to the 2026 Genesis GV80, a luxury SUV that helped Genesis announce itself to the world and continues to evolve. I walk through what’s new, including the Prestige Black trim’s dark, monochrome design, the cabin feel, and the details shoppers care about when they’re comparing premium SUVs: powertrain options, performance, comfort tech, drive modes, towing, and price. If you want a high-end daily driver that feels composed at speed and doesn’t make the controls a scavenger hunt, this part is for you. The most serious conversation centers on extreme heat and how it’s killing Americans inside their own homes, especially in manufactured housing and older mobile homes built before 1976. I break down why the official numbers may be dramatically undercounted, why cooling becomes a financial trap, and what tools like evaporative “swamp coolers” can realistically do in places like Phoenix and Tucson.  Finally, I ask hard questions about an American-built Land Rover Defender pickup tied to Stellantis because, in the midsize truck market, branding, platform choices, and quality perception can make or break the entire bet. If you enjoy smart takes on mobility, cars, and the policies that shape what we drive, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share this with a friend, and leave a quick review. What did you agree with, and what would you push back on? Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A badge isn’t just a sticker; it’s a promise. We start with Ford’s apparent plan to turn the Bronco into more than an SUV by exploring what a Bronco pickup could mean and why automakers love building sub-brands around their most popular vehicles. We also get honest about the downside of nameplate inflation: when brands “just slap names on things,” customers still expect the same off-road credibility, quality, and character that made the original famous. Layer in today’s pricing reality, with the average new vehicle near $50,000, and suddenly the marketing strategy runs headfirst into affordability. Next, we shift gears to a problem most people only notice when they try to book an appointment: the dental hygienist shortage. We explain what’s driving experienced clinicians out of the field, why training programs aren’t scaling fast enough, and how benefits and working conditions in small practices can make even strong hourly pay hard to accept. We also break down the dental office job ladder so it’s clear why “just train someone else” isn’t a simple fix and why some proposed solutions raise real concerns about care quality. Then we challenge the doom loop around electric vehicles. EV sales may be down from the federal tax credit surge, but the EV market in the United States is still growing, new models are still arriving, and the infrastructure story keeps improving through expanded fast-charging networks and broader access to Tesla-style charging standards. We connect the dots on why EV total cost of ownership keeps winning and why bidirectional EVs and virtual power plant pilots could change how we think about home energy. We close with the mind after midnight: what sleep actually does for the brain and body, how REM and non-REM sleep cycle through the night, and why shift work demands a real routine, not willpower.  If this conversation helps you think differently about cars, healthcare access, or your next night of rest, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! GM just doubled down on the two things that print money right now: full-size pickup trucks and software subscriptions. But as profits surge and the next move is a record $20 billion stock buyback, we can’t help but ask the uncomfortable question: is that the best use of cash when quality issues, service parts shortages, and real-world repairs still hit drivers hard? We walk through the numbers, the logic, and why this choice feels so counterintuitive in a high-cost, high-pressure car market. Then we shift gears into a hands-on breakdown of a truck that has stayed relevant for decades by doing the basics extremely well: the Toyota Tacoma. We discuss why the Tacoma continues to lead the midsize pickup segment and review the 2026 Tacoma i-Force Max hybrid, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain, strong torque, off-road features, and practical cabin details. We also call out what we don't love and why the price can climb fast once options start stacking up. From there, mobility gets weird and fascinating. A YouTuber turns a childhood paper-plane idea into a ring-wing aircraft and proves it can fly with surprising stability in wind.  On the factory floor, Honda and Toyota are redesigning processes around humanoid robots, AI-enabled hands, and automated inspection as Japan’s workforce ages and robotics accelerates worldwide. If you care about the future of the automotive industry, pickup trucks, hybrid tech, aircraft design, AI robotics, and factory automation, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share the show, and leave a review. Which part of this future excites or worries you most? Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A driverless truck hauling paid freight is not a headline from the future; it is happening right now on public roads, and the scale-up is accelerating. I break down Gatik’s fresh $200 million raise, what “completed driverless orders” actually implies, and why autonomous trucking is quickly becoming a real competitive weapon in modern logistics. When an AI-driven commercial truck can run nearly 24-7 without hours-of-service limits, the math on delivery windows, route frequency, and fleet utilization starts to look very different for retailers and shippers. Then I pivot to something that hits closer to home: Flock Safety license plate reader cameras and the uncomfortable question of who controls the data. I walk through reported cases where former law enforcement retained access and searched camera databases without proper authorization, plus the bigger issue of transparency. If your town has roadside surveillance, you deserve clear answers about access controls, audit logs, data retention, and the protections available to law-abiding drivers who never consented to being tracked. From there, we take a breath with a mobility bright spot: Amtrak’s rising passenger numbers, expanded routes, and upgraded equipment make passenger rail feel practical again. I also share a few specific passenger trains I personally want to ride.  I close with hypermiling tips that can help you fight high gas prices and diesel costs with safer, smoother driving and basic vehicle maintenance.  Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share this with a friend, and leave a review with your take on autonomous freight, privacy, or fuel-saving habits. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! If you’ve ever wondered what “mobility” really means beyond cars, this one tightens the definition and then blows it wide open. We talk about mobility as anything that moves you from point A to point B, but the supporting technology — propulsion, fuel, batteries, autonomy, and interfaces — is evolving so fast that most of us only see a slice of it. I also challenge the idea that you can simply opt out of AI, because if you use a smartphone, email, online shopping, or customer service systems, AI is already part of your daily routine. The real choice is whether you learn it on your terms or get dragged along by default settings you never picked.  Then I get practical with a full 2026 Mazda3 Carbon Edition sedan review for people who still want a small car that feels good to drive. We dig into what works well, including the quiet ride, responsive handling, a cabin layout where the tech helps instead of getting in the way, and details that matter, like comfort, visibility, and usability. I also call out what I don't love, from missing rear-seat conveniences to cargo-access limits, plus the pricing and where this Mazda3 fits in today’s “everything is an SUV” market.  Next, we go off-world and then straight into the future of sensing. NASA’s Perseverance rover sets a driving record on Mars, and its autonomous navigation offers real lessons for self-driving vehicles on Earth.  From there, we explore electronic nose research and what it means when AI learns to smell, from safety detection and air quality monitoring to breath-based health screening and even fragrance creation.  If this sparked a new question, share the episode, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, and leave a review so more curious listeners can find the show. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Cadillac once defined American success, then Lexus arrived and proved that luxury without bulletproof reliability is a shaky promise. We break down how Cadillac has tried to reinvent itself repeatedly, why the Escalade became the anchor, and what it means when a brand commits to an all-electric future as the EV market cools mid-transition. If you’ve wondered why automakers can’t “just build what people want” next year, we get into the unglamorous reality of long lead times, factory commitments, and the painful window when a lineup can miss the market's heart. Then we pivot to Jaguar Land Rover, a pair of beautiful British nameplates with a reputation for poor quality scores. I walk through why low-volume production can actually increase variation, how modern manufacturing consistency changes the game, and why JLR is betting on a clean-sheet reset with vehicles like the Range Rover Electric and the reinvented Jaguar Type 01. When you’re charging six figures, “pretty” is not enough. It has to start every time. We also zoom out to something even more basic than mobility: water. Tap water bills are up dramatically across the US, and we'll talk about what’s driving the increase, why costs vary so much by region, and why affordability is becoming a real quality-of-life issue.  Finally, we tackle AI safety and governance, including Massachusetts pushing what could be the strictest AI law in America, the focus on frontier AI models, and the uncomfortable possibility that guardrails could protect the public while also entrenching Big Tech. Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast for more at the intersection of mobility and technology, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Can Mitsubishi survive America's fiercely competitive auto market? Has Lincoln lost its reason to exist? And could the artificial intelligence boom cost ordinary Americans far more than they realize? In this episode of The TechMobility Podcast, we tackle four stories where corporate ambition, consumer expectations, and economic reality collide. First, Mitsubishi faces a defining moment. Its Momentum 2030 strategy promises new vehicles, expanded electrification, and stronger partnerships. But can the struggling automaker rebuild its relevance, regain market share, and convince American buyers—and dealers—that it deserves another look? Next, I get behind the wheel of the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta. This compact sedan promises practicality and value, but does the driving experience deliver? From performance and drive modes to interior comfort, trunk space, and some surprising compromises, I examine whether the Jetta still makes sense in an SUV-dominated marketplace. Then comes a provocative question: Should Ford kill Lincoln? Once synonymous with American luxury, Lincoln now faces serious questions about its identity, relevance, and future. Can Ford restore the brand's prestige, or has Lincoln become an expensive exercise in nostalgia? Finally, we follow the money behind America's AI obsession. A projected $10.3 trillion infrastructure build-out could strain capital markets, increase borrowing costs, and divert investment away from smaller businesses and communities. What happens if the AI boom becomes a bubble—and taxpayers and local communities are left with the consequences? Four stories. Billions in investment. And one uncomfortable question: Who wins, who loses, and who ultimately pays the price? Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast for regular analysis, share this with a friend who loves cars or follows AI, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s your take on Lincoln: save it or kill it? Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! What do driverless military trucks, disappearing starter homes, Hyundai's remarkable evolution, and cars you can actually drive using solar power have in common? They're all challenging what we thought was possible. In this episode of The TechMobility Podcast, we explore four developments that could reshape our future. First, the U.S. Army prepares to test autonomous Ford F-250 pickups for dangerous battlefield assignments. Could commercially available trucks equipped with autonomous technology save soldiers' lives while transforming military operations? Next, is homeownership becoming an impossible dream for younger Americans? We examine how soaring housing costs, mortgage rates, limited inventory, and disappearing starter homes are putting the American Dream increasingly out of reach for an entire generation. Then, we trace Hyundai's extraordinary evolution from its humble American beginnings to a respected global automotive powerhouse. Better engineering, improved quality, industry-leading warranties, and ambitious expansion plans have transformed the company into a serious competitor across gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Finally, solar-powered cars you can actually drive may be closer to reality than you think. We examine Aptera's innovative solar-electric vehicle, its radical approach to efficiency, and whether sunlight can meaningfully extend driving range and reduce the need to plug in. From battlefield autonomy to affordable housing, automotive evolution, and solar-powered mobility, the future is arriving—and challenging expectations along the way. If you enjoy smart, honest conversations about transportation, mobility, and the forces shaping daily life, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A tariff can change an automaker’s strategy faster than a new vehicle can change its showroom. We start with Ford’s plan to phase out China-built Lincoln models for the U.S. and the 52.5% tariff that threatens their economics. But the bigger story is reshoring: what happens to jobs, wages, suppliers, and communities when vehicle production comes home—and whether Lincoln itself still carries the luxury cachet it once did. Then I get behind the wheel of the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Touring EV, a vehicle whose family tree may be as interesting as the EV itself. Its Toyota connections illustrate how deeply platform-sharing is changing the auto industry. I break down the Trailseeker’s wagon-like practicality, 14-inch display, NACS charging compatibility, and everyday usability, along with what I like—and what I don’t, including range expectations, the missing spare tire, and the lack of a frunk. From there, we leave the highway for orbit. Wireless power beaming could someday create power grids in space, supplying satellites and even orbital data centers with energy on demand. The possibilities are enormous, but so are the technical challenges, safety concerns, and unresolved legal questions. Finally, we come back to an energy source that already powers much of the American economy: diesel fuel. Trucks move most domestic freight, so diesel prices are far more than what fleets pay at the pump. Refining constraints and fuel shortages can ripple through agriculture, shipping, groceries, manufacturing, and retail—turning an energy problem into an inflation problem. From tariffs that decide where vehicles are built to diesel that shapes what everything costs, this episode explores the often-invisible forces shaping mobility—and your wallet. Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast for more analysis, share this with a friend who follows EVs or energy, and leave a review with your take: which story matters most right now — tariffs, EV realities, or diesel fuel inflation? Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A robot centaur with glowing eyes and power-tool hands may look like something out of science fiction, but it points toward a serious question: what should the robots working alongside us actually look like? We explore increasingly unconventional robot designs and how automation—from welding systems and warehouse robots to exoskeleton-style assistance—is improving consistency, reducing workplace injuries, and reshaping manufacturing. Then we follow a troubling environmental loop. Wastewater treatment can capture microplastics before they reach waterways, but some particles concentrate in sewage sludge. When we process that material into biosolids and apply it to land, are we simply moving the contamination somewhere else? We examine what that could mean for soil, water, agriculture, and the food system. Next, we turn to a part of health that’s easy to underestimate: your mouth. Emerging research on the oral microbiome, gum disease, and chronic inflammation is strengthening the link between dental health and cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Finally, California is targeting something nearly every driver eventually buys: replacement tires. We examine new tire-efficiency standards, rolling resistance, potential fuel-economy benefits, and the bigger debate over whether regulation can lower energy consumption without increasing costs or compromising safety. Robot workers. Plastic in our soil. Bacteria in our mouths. Tires on our cars. Four seemingly unrelated stories with one thing in common: technology keeps creating consequences far beyond where we first expect them. If any of these threads made you rethink your assumptions, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What part hit you hardest: robot design, microplastics in biosolids, oral health, or tire standards? Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A flawless safety record sounds like the bare minimum for the next wave of transportation, but history says that is not how new mobility earns trust. We start by wrestling with a hard question hanging over electric air taxis and eVTOL aircraft: if one accident can stall an entire category, how do companies reach commercial scale while regulators, investors, and the public demand near-perfect outcomes? I connect the dots to what we have already lived through in aviation and autonomy, where safety culture and transparent oversight matter as much as the technology itself. Then I shift gears to something you can buy right now: my review and impressions of the 2026 Genesis G70 Prestige Graphite sedan. With the available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 and a sharp, upscale cabin, the G70 makes a serious case as a luxury sport sedan that can turn heads. I break down what I love, what I don't, and who this car is really for, especially if rear-seat space and daily practicality are high on your list. From there, we zoom out to the infrastructure powering everything: AI data centers. China is scaling wind, solar, and battery storage to meet surging data center electricity demand, turning clean energy into a national strategy for cost, security, and the climate.  Finally, we hit a major autonomous vehicle milestone as Amazon’s Zoox wins U.S. approval for paid robotaxi service in a vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, plus what NHTSA enforcement signals for the entire robotaxi industry. Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast for more clear-eyed mobility analysis, share this with a friend who argues about EVs or self-driving cars, and leave a review with the one question you want answered next. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! EV headlines make it sound like the future is already decided, but what people actually buy tells a more interesting story. We start with Toyota’s next moves in battery development and why hybrid vehicles are suddenly the center of gravity for the auto market. When new lithium-ion batteries can cut costs by hundreds per vehicle while still boosting efficiency, it helps explain why hybrids feel like the “best of both worlds” for drivers who want better fuel economy without betting their schedule on charging availability and speed.  Then we shift from mobility to mental health, because technology overload is not just annoying; it is changing how kids get through a school day. We talk through Brain Health Retreat Rooms and why a stigma-free “brain health” approach can make it easier for students to step away, regulate, and rejoin learning. The results shared from Iowa schools raise a bigger question: what simple, low-drama supports can improve attendance, reduce overwhelm, and strengthen school culture before a crisis hits?  Housing affordability is next, with manufactured homes and cross-mod homes moving into suburbs as labor shortages, limited inventory, and 7% mortgage rates squeeze buyers. We like the promise of factory-built housing as a path to more affordable homes, but we also challenge land-lease models that can trap owners when rent rises, or the community changes hands.  We close with a short trip into the weeds on long-duration flywheel energy storage, a mechanical alternative to chemical batteries that could help power grids and data centers keep up with AI-driven demand growth.  Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share this with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us what you think: are hybrids, new housing models, and flywheels the real “practical future” showing up first? Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Would you purchase a “premium” SUV if the bones underneath come from a brand with a history of quality headaches? We start with a headline that raises exactly that kind of uncomfortable question: Jaguar Land Rover exploring U.S.-specific production through Stellantis. We talk through why it makes financial sense in a tariff era, how automakers share platforms and factories more than most buyers realize, and why brand reputation can take a hit when the supply chain and build quality don’t match the price tag. If a Defender-branded model ends up tied to a Jeep-style body-on-frame foundation, would you still pay the premium?  Next, we bring some joy back into the conversation with my impressions of the 2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid. Honda revives an iconic name with a hybrid sports coupe that pairs the two-motor hybrid system with Civic Type R chassis hardware, plus a new S Plus Shift mode designed to make the drive feel more engaging. We get specific about what works, from quick response and confident handling to the kind of fuel economy that makes “fun car” ownership feel realistic, and we also call out real-world misses like the back seat, cargo-usability quirks, and the lack of a spare tire.  Then we zoom out from cars to streets with a case study every city should study: Somerville, Massachusetts, which went four years without a single traffic death. We break down the Vision Zero-style toolbox behind it, including speed humps, traffic circle redesigns, protected bike infrastructure, and public transit access that makes driving less necessary.  Finally, we take a surprising detour into the secret superyacht sales network, where the biggest deals are off-market, demand is fueled by AI and crypto wealth, and status competition never stops.  Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast for more sharp, curious mobility reporting, share this with a friend who loves cars or city design, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Chinese EVs are being built in the millions, but the real shock isn’t volume. It’s how fast Chinese automakers are exporting capability, especially AI-driven electric vehicles that treat software as the product and the car as the platform. We dig into what that means for U.S. buyers, U.S. automakers, and the policies that try to keep Chinese-branded vehicles out, even as China-built vehicles still show up on American roads through global production. We also get into a wild materials story with huge implications for domestic manufacturing: University of Minnesota researchers show that low-purity iron ore can be converted directly into semiconductor-quality pyrite, also known as Fool’s Gold. If that scales, it could reshape how we think about semiconductor materials for solar panels, batteries, and electronics, and it could turn existing mining regions into part of the next tech supply chain conversation. Then we shift to life-and-death realities on the road. Cognitive alertness testing and in-cab fatigue tools promise safer commercial trucking, but we don’t ignore the hard questions: surveillance, data access, manipulation, and driver recourse. Finally, we look offshore at the U.S. and Japan exploring deep-sea mining for rare earth elements, the extreme engineering challenges, and why critical minerals sit at the center of EV motors, advanced electronics, and national security. If you like smart mobility analysis that connects policy, tech, and real-world tradeoffs, subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find us. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!

Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Driverless trucks are already doing paid work with nobody in the cab, and that should change how you think about “someday” autonomy. I break down a report on autonomous oilfield trucking in the Permian Basin, where repetitive private-road routes help fleets scale fast, rack up serious driverless hours, and build confidence before the leap to public roads. It’s a real example of how autonomy often arrives quietly through logistics, not headlines. Then I switch gears to my review and impressions of the 2026 Toyota C-HR EV, a battery-electric compact crossover SUV that brings a big-vehicle feel into a small footprint. We talk about power, range, AWD, one-pedal driving, and the small usability details that make an EV either easy or annoying to live with. I also call out the drawbacks that matter in the real world, like the missing spare tire, overactive driver-assist warnings, and the bigger issue hanging over every EV purchase: where you actually recharge, especially if you live in an apartment or outside a major metropolitan area. From there, we get a little nerdy with a look at multi-gear electric transmissions designed for heavy-duty EVs and commercial trucking. The core question is simple: how do you keep an electric motor in its efficiency sweet spot when you’re hauling tens of tons up mountain grades?  Finally, we zoom out to the Colorado River system as Lake Powell hits record lows, raising hard questions about water policy, hydroelectric power, and who takes the biggest cuts as the West dries out. Subscribe to The TechMobility Podcast for weekly mobility analysis, share this with a friend who loves EVs or trucking tech, and leave a review with the one topic you want me to dig into next. Support the show Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!