#148 - Jeff Varick | Brandmotion – Vehicle Safety, Vision Zero Automotive Network, & The Importance of the Aftermarket for Safety

This is a special episode, welcoming Paul Comfort (3x Future of Mobility podcast guest) to share an episode of his Transit Unplugged podcast, featuring a conversation with Adam Hill. This podcast swap format provides the opportunity to introduce an adjacent show that Future of Mobility listeners might like. The original show notes are below: https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/future-of-mobility-avs/ In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Adam Hill, Editor in Chief of ITS International Magazine. They discuss the challenges and prospects of high-speed rail in England and the US, including the various political and logistical issues. Adam explains London’s new Ultra Low Emission Zone, designed to encourage public transit use and discusses the struggles with its introduction. They explore how public transit can be made popular, touching on how to capture public interest and cater to convenience for the users. Paul and Adam wrap up the episode discussing the impacts of congestion charging and low emissions zones in encouraging public transit use. In Mike’s Minute, Mike Bismeyer reports from the CUTA Meeting in Edmonton about the Youth Leadership Summit and his work mentoring future transit leaders. Coming up next week we have Scott Smith, former CEO of Valley Metro reflecting on transit and leadership. If you have a question or comment, email [email protected]. Episode flow: Introduction and Introducing Adam Hill Adam Hill’s Background and Role at ITS International Magazine Challenges and Developments in High Speed Rail Exploring the Impact of ULEZ in London Political Implications of ULEZ and Public Transit Mike’s Minute with Mike Bismeyer Coming up next week on the show

John McElroy joins for a second time to discuss topics such as electrification, autonomy, and the concept of peak auto. McElroy shares his perspective as an automotive industry enthusiast and highlights the diverse skill sets required in the industry. Takeaways The automotive industry requires diverse skill sets and drives economic growth. Autonomy has the potential to save lives and transform society. Car sales in certain regions may not significantly increase in the future. Automakers face the challenge of designing cost-effective vehicles. Legacy automakers can face challenges in adapting to new technologies and the shift towards electric vehicles. Creating separate organizations or skunk works programs can enable a more entrepreneurial approach to develop new products. Balancing the risks of launching new products with an all-new team, plant, and workforce is crucial. The Innovator's Dilemma provides examples of successful shifts in other industries. Chinese startups with lower cost structures pose a significant challenge to legacy automakers. The supply chain faces disruption as the transition to electric vehicles reduces the demand for conventional components. Suppliers must adapt by diversifying their offerings or finding new industries to apply their core competencies. Legacy automakers must find ways to design costs out of vehicles effectively. Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/johnmcelroy2 https://open.substack.com/pub/brandonbartneck/p/introducing-the-edison-manufacturing?r=1qx5wl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web https://www.autoline.tv/whatisad/ Bio John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis. He is also the host of the television program “Autoline This Week,” an Emmy Award-winning, weekly half-hour discussion program featuring top automotive executives and journalists. And he co-hosts “Autoline After Hours,” a weekly live webcast that focuses on new cars and technology. The show can be seen online at www.Autoline.tv McElroy also broadcasts three radio segments daily on WWJ Newsradio 950, the CBS affiliate in Detroit. He writes a blog for Autoblog.com and a monthly op-ed article for Ward’s Auto World. As a journalist, McElroy put his automotive background to good use. His past experience includes five years at Detroit Editor for Road & Track, and as the American correspondent for World Cars, published by the Automotive Club of Italy. He was also invited to write the annual automotive entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook. He spent most of his career at the trade magazine Automotive Industries where he ultimately rose to Editorial Director. McElroy has appeared as an automotive expert on ABC World News Tonight, CBS News, and NBC Nightly News. He is often interviewed by CNN, NPR, and CBC in Canada. He is frequently asked to speak to automakers, suppliers and industry organizations. He is a member of the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, and has won numerous awards for editorial excellence. John McElroy is the president of Blue Sky Productions, Inc., which produces television, radio, and digital content, including video production. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Rakesh Koneru, CEO of Hummingbird EV, discusses the company's approach to electrification in the medium and heavy-duty vehicle segment. The conversation covers topics such as vertical integration, modular electric vehicle propulsion systems, transitioning from retrofit to OEM, application in the mining industry, customization and modularity for different use cases, challenges and benefits of building a new strategy, microfactory strategy and vision, supply chain robustness and vertical integration, benefits of microfactories and localized production, and trade-offs and risk mitigation. Takeaways: Hummingbird EV focuses on electrification in the medium and heavy-duty vehicle segment, with a focus on vertical integration and modularity. The company is transitioning from a retrofit company to a full-scale OEM, with a focus on building its own chassis platform. Hummingbird EV aims to build microfactories in different locations to meet demand triggers and localize the supply chain. The company's strategy allows for customization and modularity to meet the specific needs of different applications. Hummingbird EV is focused on building a robust supply chain and reducing reliance on external suppliers. Chapters Introduction and Background Vertical Integration in the Commercial Vehicle Space Transition from Retrofit to OEM Application in the Mining Industry Customization and Modularity for Different Use Cases Challenges and Benefits of Building a New Strategy Microfactory Strategy and Vision Supply Chain Robustness and Vertical Integration Benefits of Microfactories and Localized Production Trade-offs and Risk Mitigation Key Takeaways and Parting Thoughts Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/rakeshkoneru https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakesh-k-396879b/ https://www.hummingev.com/ Bio Rakesh Koneru is founder and CEO of HummingbirdEV. HummingbirdEV description HummingbirdEV, Inc. (HBEV) is a global leader and innovator of advanced products, and technologies for zero emissions commercial vehicle applications including offering complete vehicles, electric drivetrain systems, bi-directional charging systems, modular batteries, control and telematic software, and other related products. The company has clients and active development programs throughout the U.S., China, and India and maintains a focus on innovating next generation products that provide significant feature and performance advantages over the status quo. HummingbirdEV was incorporated in 2015 and has its global headquarters located in Livermore, California. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Laura Fox is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Streetlife Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund investing in B2B urban climate solutions to transform sectors including mobility, buildings, energy, waste, and water. She joins to discuss the challenges and opportunities in improving quality of life in cities and the urban climate space Takeaways Street Life focuses on the climate transition in the mobility and logistics industry, seeking opportunities beyond traditional big players. The MORE framework (enablement, rebuild, mobility solutions, maintenance) guides Street Life's approach to addressing mobility challenges. Infrastructure rebuilding and reimagining are crucial, as a significant portion of urban infrastructure needed by 2050 does not exist yet. Balancing business goals and impact is a challenge, but partnerships with the public sector can be a major accelerant to growth. Policy plays a vital role in driving change, and resistance to change can be navigated through thoughtful implementation and clear benefits. Chapters Introduction and Background Defining the Problem of Improving Life in Cities Choosing the Right Size Problem to Solve Adaptation and the Changing Environment Electrification and Closing the Gap Core Thesis of Street Life and Opportunities in Mobility and Logistics The MORE Framework for Mobility Infrastructure Rebuilding and Reimagining Mobility Solutions and Maintenance Balancing Business Goals and Impact The Role of Policy in Driving Change Navigating Resistance to Change Street Life's Role in Solving Mobility Problems Encouraging Different Approaches to Problem-Solving The Economic Opportunity in the Transition to Net Zero Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/laurafox https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraafox/ Streetlife website  Pre-seed or seed B2B startup in the Streetlife thesis space? Pitch Streetlife here  Bio Laura Fox speaks on mobility, city, and climate topics globally, and is on ‘Transportation Power 100’ and ‘Top Women in Mobility’ lists. She is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Streetlife Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund investing in B2B urban climate solutions to transform sectors including mobility, buildings, energy, waste, and water. Previously, Laura was the General Manager of Citi Bike at Lyft and built it into a $100M+ ARR business and one of the country’s largest transportation systems, led diligence on urban climate tech companies at Sidewalk Labs, launched new mobility products with Boston Consulting Group’s digital ventures team, and advised Bloomberg Philanthropies on their urban investment strategy. Laura also teaches MBA strategy courses at NYU Stern, and is on the board of Governors Island, which will be the test bed for climate innovation in NYC. She is a Senior Fellow with MIT’s Mobility Initiative, and on the urban-focused Expert Taskforce for the World Economic Forum (WEF). Fun fact: Laura’s friends call her ‘20 Questions’ since she loves getting to the heart of a good idea - and she’s given a TED Talk on the topic. Streetlife Ventures description Streetlife Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed B2B startups at the intersection of cities and climate, across the building, energy, mobility and logistics, waste and water, and adaptive tech sectors. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Desmond Wheatley is President and CEO and Chairman of the Board at Beam Global, a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. Chapters Introduction and Background Early Challenges and Market Approach The Off-Grid Charging Solution Challenges in Implementing EV Charging Infrastructure The Need for Decentralized and Scalable Solutions The Product and its Hard Parts Changing the Fueling Behavior for EVs The Future of EV Charging: Fueling Behavior and Infrastructure The Importance of Ubiquitous, Slower Speed Charging Challenges of Energy Storage and Thermal Management Reasons for In-House Battery Manufacturing Balancing Manufacturing and System Level Assembly Strategic Considerations in Acquiring a Battery Company Managing Diversification and Focus Maintaining Motivation and Excitement in the Early Stages The Importance of Capital Markets and Innovation The Growth Potential and Expansion Plans Balancing Growth and Managing Success Embracing Progress and Electrification of Transportation Links Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/desmondwheatley https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmondwheatley/ https://beamforall.com/ Bio: Desmond Wheatley is President and CEO and Chairman of the Board at Beam Global. Wheatley joined BEAM as a consultant in 2010 when it was Envision Solar and has served as the Company’s CEO since 2011 and as Chairman of the Board since 2016. He has two decades of senior international management experience in technology systems integration, energy management, communications and renewable energy. He was a founding partner in the international consulting practice Crichton Hill LLC. Prior to Crichton Hill, Wheatley was CEO of iAxis FZ LLC, a Dubai based alternative energy and technology systems integration company. From 2000 to 2007, he held a variety of senior management positions at San Diego based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, fka Wireless Facilities with the last five years as President of ENS, the largest independent security and energy management systems integrator in the USA. Prior to ENS, Wheatley held senior management positions in the cellular and broadband wireless industries, deploying infrastructure and lobbying in Washington DC on behalf of major wireless service providers. Wheatley has founded, funded and operated four profitable start-up companies and was previously engaged in M&A activities. Wheatley evaluated acquisition opportunities, conducted due diligence, and raised commitments of $500M in debt and equity. About Beam Global: Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Headquartered in San Diego with facilities in Chicago, Belgrade and Kraljevo, Beam Global has a deep patent portfolio and is listed on Nasdaq under the symbols BEEM and BEEMW. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/

Chris Wallbank is President and Chief Executive Officer of P.J. Wallbank Springs Inc., and CEO of Wallbank Industrial. Chris joins this milestone episode to discuss the Wallbank Industrial Vision, and the goal to have a significant positive impact on a billion lives. Takeaways The Wallbank Industrial Vision is driven by the importance of people and the intentional actions taken to enable the vision. Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the culture and values of an organization. Continuous learning and improvement are essential for personal and organizational growth. Building an intentional culture requires hiring and firing based on values and finding alignment with the team. Systems and communication are key to enabling the vision and creating scalability and sustainability. Chapters Introduction and Milestone Discussion The Genesis of the Wallbank Industrial Vision Learning from Reed Hastings and Netflix Personal Reflection and Impact The Importance of People in the Vision Building Intentional Culture Striving for More and Balancing Satisfaction Building the Right Culture and Values Key Practices for Enabling the Vision The Importance of Systems and Communication Closing Thoughts Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/chriswallbank https://www.linkedin.com/in/wallbankchris/ https://www.pjws.com/ https://edison-mfg.com/ Bio: Chris Wallbank has been President and Chief Executive Officer of P.J. Wallbank Springs Inc. since 2014. Chris earned his MBA in Strategy and Innovation from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and his BA in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University School of Business. A visionary leader constantly challenging the status quo, Chris aspires to impact the world through people, and believes anything can be accomplished with the right team and the right mentality. Chris began his career on the company’s manufacturing floor and eventually assumed responsibility for the organization’s sales. Under his leadership, the team tripled the annual sales and size of the organization. With this success, the company has been presented with the prestigious Inc. 5000 Award (recognizing P.J. Wallbank Springs as one of America’s Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies) for 3 consecutive years. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Timothy Papandreou works towards bridging the gap between bleeding-edge innovations, their real-world application, and their impact on the way we live, work, learn, play, heal, and do business. He advises many startups and is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator on several emerging technology spaces - including generative and predictive AI, supply chain automation, robotics, teleoperations, smart cities, ag-tech, bioplanning, blockchain, digital twins, space economy, and web3. He joins to discuss the purpose and importance of mobility in connecting people to the most important moments in their lives, and what we need to do to do this better. Takeaways The purpose of mobility is to connect people to the most important moments in their lives, whether it's family, work, learning, or other significant experiences. Seamless mobility is crucial for creating a positive city experience, where different modes of transportation work together effectively. Solving mobility issues requires a systems thinking approach, considering the interconnectedness of various factors such as housing, zoning, and transport infrastructure. Addressing housing affordability and zoning is essential for creating more livable and sustainable cities. Implementing fair transport user fees can help allocate resources more efficiently and encourage sustainable modes of transportation. Dealing with pushback and resistance to change requires understanding people's perspectives and finding ways to communicate the benefits of mobility solutions. Storytelling and action are crucial in creating change. The challenge of changing the status quo requires experimentation and feedback. The declining affordability of essential services affects the majority of the population. Empathy and perspective shifting are important in understanding the needs of different stakeholders. Systems thinking and design thinking are valuable approaches in problem-solving. The intersection of AI and systems thinking has the potential to transform various industries. Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/timpapandreou www.emergingtransport.com www.timpapandreou.com Bio Timothy works towards bridging the gap between bleeding-edge innovations, their real-world application, and their impact on the way we live, work, learn, play, heal, and do business. He advises many startups and is a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator on several emerging technology spaces - including generative and predictive AI, supply chain automation, robotics, teleoperations, smart cities, ag-tech, bioplanning, blockchain, digital twins, space economy, and web3. Timothy founded ETA, a global advisory firm to help startups, governments, and corporations accelerate emerging technology innovation. He's held positions for Alphabet/Google's X Moonshot Factory (now as a key advisor on AI Moonshots) with Waymo where he was part of the commercialization team that launched the world's first automated robo-taxi/truck system, and as Chief Innovation Officer for Transport with the City of San Francisco leading various first-of-its-kind policies and projects. Company Description ETA, is a global advisory firm to help startups, governments, and corporations accelerate emerging technology innovation. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Roxana Bekemohammadi is Founder and Executive Director of United States Hydrogen Alliance. She joins to discuss the importance of advocating for hydrogen technology and the need for diversity in the pursuit of sustainable transportation. Topics: Introduction and Background Advocating for Hydrogen Technology The Importance of Technology Diversity The Need for Redundancy in Energy Systems The Role of Hydrogen in Various Sectors Balancing Business and Sustainability Considering Public Perception The Role of the US Hydrogen Alliance Conclusion and Call to Action Links Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/roxanabekemohammadi https://www.ushydrogenalliance.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxana-bekemohammadi/ Bio: Roxana Bekemohammadi is a distinguished leader in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, known for her unique experience in policy advocacy, public service, and technology commercialization. She is regularly called upon to present on the current and future status of the U.S. hydrogen economy at conferences, legislatures, and in other political arenas. In 2020, she founded the Western States Hydrogen Alliance, championing hydrogen policies in the Western States. With the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act in 2021, the organization expanded to all 50 states, and is now known as the United States Hydrogen Alliance (USHA). The organization has blazed a pathway for the U.S. hydrogen economy by successfully passing seventeen hydrogen state bills across the United States since USHA’s inception in 2020. Roxana led a lobbying firm focused on hydrogen policy in California prior to USHA. She also served as an advocate and technical expert in previous roles across multiple sectors including energy, zero emission vehicles, workforce development, technical education. Lastly, Roxana served as a public servant at the California Air Resources Board, an air quality regulatory state agency. Academically, Roxana holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Irvine and served as a student researcher at the National Fuel Cell Research Center. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her education combined with a diverse professional background further positions her as a leading voice in the clean energy industry. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

Olaf Sakkers joins to discuss the purpose of mobility and transportation, the challenges of the current system, and the potential for a more efficient trip economy. Takeaways The purpose of transportation is to connect cities and enable economic growth. The current transportation system in the US is underperforming and has negative externalities, such as high rates of car accidents and wasted time in traffic. The trip economy, characterized by shared mobility services, offers more efficient and convenient transportation options. Efforts to improve the transportation system should focus on removing parking minimums, incentivizing better choices, and transitioning to autonomous vehicles. Creating positive change in transportation requires recognizing the flaws in the system, engaging in constructive conversations, and building companies that offer innovative solutions. Chapters Introduction and Background The Purpose of Mobility and Transportation Moving Towards Outcomes, Not Incremental Improvements The Current System and Its Challenges Building New Cities and Transforming Existing Ones Efficiency of the Trip Economy Creating Positive Impact Despite Challenges Advice for Making a Difference Closing Remarks Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/olafsakkers https://www.linkedin.com/in/osakkers/?originalSubdomain=il https://www.mobilitydisruptionframework.com/ https://www.red.blue/ Bio: Olaf is led by a sense of curiosity to try to understand the kernel of what makes something unique or interesting. While serving in the Israel Defense Forces, he discovered how the rapidly emerging autonomous vehicle technology could transform transportation and be a unique opportunity for the Israeli tech ecosystem. Over the course of six years he built Maniv Mobility into a leading global venture capital fund focused on mobility, managing $150 million and [backed by leading industry players including Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, Hyundai, BMW, Shell, Aptiv, LG and Valeo. In 2021, Olaf left Maniv to found RedBlue Capital, an early stage mobility-focused venture capital firm focused on mobility, logistics and energy transition. Born in South Africa, Olaf attended Princeton University where he majored in Anthropology, writing his thesis about frontier medicine and global health policy. The same interest in culture and understanding complex systems are what give him a deep sense of fulfillment from partnering alongside founders to build great companies which solve critical problems. He's also the author of Mobility Disruption Framework, a book that unpacks the rapid transformation happening in the mobility industry through the lens of microeconomics and colorful comparisons to household pets. He has spoken at numerous conferences such as Web Summit and Tech Crunch and has been quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Bloomberg. Companies that Olaf has backed have gone on to raise over $2 billion dollars. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.

Edwin Olson is founder and CEO of May Mobility. He joins the Future of Mobility podcast for a Round 2 topic, centered around May Mobility’s strategy for growth and impact in the autonomous vehicle space. We also explore how Edwin and May Mobility have evolved since the Round 1 discussion in early 2020. Takeaways May Mobility aims to end personal car ownership by making public transit a more attractive and efficient option. The right vehicle for the right population density is crucial in providing effective autonomous transportation. Long-term contracts with cities provide a strong revenue stream and help finance the vehicles. Balancing realism and vision is important in leadership, acknowledging challenges while working towards a grand vision. Building a positive company culture is essential for success in the autonomous vehicle industry. Effective communication is crucial for success in personal and professional relationships. Building trust and rapport is essential for effective communication. Active listening and empathy play a significant role in understanding others and fostering meaningful connections. Non-verbal communication, such as body language and facial expressions, can convey important messages. Identifying and overcoming communication barriers is key to effective communication. Chapters Introduction and Evolution of May Mobility The Goal: Ending Personal Car Ownership Challenges of Personal Car Ownership The Vision of Autonomous Vehicles Key Assumptions for Autonomous Vehicles in Public Transit The Right Vehicle for the Right Population Density Carving Out the Right Solution for the Technology's Capabilities The Advantage of Long-Term Contracts with Cities Choosing the Right Growth Strategy Balancing Realism and Vision in Leadership Scaling Challenges and Vehicle Supply Leadership Lessons in the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Building a Positive Company Culture The Importance of Effective Communication Building Trust and Rapport Active Listening and Empathy Conclusion Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/edwinolson2 https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-olson/ https://maymobility.com/ Bio: Edwin Olson is co-founder and CEO of May Mobility, Inc. He has focused on the development of autonomous vehicles for more than two decades, co-leading autonomous vehicle development at Toyota Research Institute and helping to develop Ford Motor Company’s autonomous vehicles. He has a doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT and is a professor of computer science at the University of Michigan. Olson got his start in autonomous technology participating in the DARPA Urban Challenge in 2007 as part of the MIT team. He was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Leaders in Energy in 2023. Company description: May Mobility develops autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and deploys fleets of vehicles to municipal and business customers. Its proprietary Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) system is at the core of its mission to help make cities safer, greener and more accessible. MPDM's proven track record has delivered more than 350,000 autonomy-enabled rides to date in several public transit applications across the U.S. and Japan. With key strategic partnerships including some of the world's most innovative automotive and transportation companies, such as Toyota Motor Corporation and NTT, May Mobility aims to achieve the highest standard in rider safety, sustainability and transportation equity. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.