Shows
Building Better with Brandon Bartneck#271 – From Tactics to Systems: What Great Leaders DoIn this solo episode, I explore a question that’s been on my mind for a long time: what actually separates an adequate leader from a good one, and a good one from a great one?I use football as an analogy, not to glorify sports leadership clichés, but to illustrate a distinction that shows up everywhere. In business. In manufacturing. In engineering. In organizations that win once, versus those that win consistently.An adequate leader operates at the tactical level. They make good decisions in the moment. They motivate. They call decent plays. The...
2025-12-2112 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#270 – Understanding the Real Nature of Work: The Leadership Gap No One Talks AboutIn this solo episode, Brandon breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of team performance: a leader’s ability to understand the true nature of the work their function is responsible for. Most leaders want high performance and a great environment, but few achieve it. Brandon argues that the root cause isn’t effort, tactics, or leadership style, it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the function, the type of thinking required for the work, and the capabilities of the people doing it.He unpacks why environments get overwhelmed and inconsistent, why the usual fixes don’t work, an...
2025-11-3018 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#269 - Impact, and How to Choose Work That Actually MattersThis solo episode is about a question that sits at the center of my work and my life. What is real impact. Not the buzzword. The kind that actually changes the direction of someone’s life.I break down impact from first principles. What it is. How you create it. Why it is more than reach or scale. Impact comes from the quality of what you are doing, the number of people you touch, the depth of the change, the duration of that change, and the way that change moves through other people over time.I...
2025-11-1616 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#269 – Quincy Lee | Electric Era - Resilience, Narrative, and the Systems Behind Enduring CompaniesQuincy Lee, founder and CEO of Electric Era, joined to talk about what it takes to build a durable business in an unforgiving industry.Electric Era is scaling in the EV space. But what stood out most is how Quincy thinks. His focus isn’t on growth at all costs, but on building a company that’s hard to kill. That phrase became a central thread of the conversation: how to anticipate failure modes before they appear, design systems that can withstand them, and create the cultural and technical resilience to adapt as conditions change.We a...
2025-10-2647 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#268 - The Compounding Effect of Meaningful Work | Why “Work-Life Balance” Misses the PointMost conversations about work-life balance start with the wrong question.We assume the goal is to limit work, to keep it from taking too much of our lives. So we optimize for time, energy, and boundaries, all while treating work as something to manage or escape.In this solo episode, Brandon challenges that premise. He steps back to ask a more fundamental question:What is work actually for?Brandon explores how work can serve as both a platform for growth and a vehicle for contribution. It's one of the few arenas...
2025-10-1214 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#266 - Ali Kashani | Serve Robotics – Scaling Sidewalk AutonomyIn this episode, I’m joined by Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics. Serve is pioneering autonomous sidewalk delivery at scale—with hundreds of robots already operating in major U.S. cities and thousands more on the way.Ali and I dive into the complexity of autonomy: the technical challenges, the economics, the regulatory and consumer adoption hurdles, and the leadership required to make sense of it all. He shares how Serve is approaching innovation, why their technology and go-to-market path is unique, and what it takes to attract, empower, and retain world-class talent in such...
2025-09-1448 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#264 - Impact Requires Both Attention and DepthIn this solo episode, Brandon unpacks a challenge he sees everywhere — in his own work, at PJ Wallbank Springs, and in the broader world of leadership and business. The tension between attention and depth.It’s easy to get attention without substance. It’s also possible to have real substance without anyone noticing. But if you want to make a lasting impact, you need both. Brandon explores why that balance is so difficult to achieve, and why ignoring either side limits your reach and influence.He shares an unexpected example from Lupe Fiasco’s Kick, Push — a...
2025-08-1714 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#262 - The Work that Really MattersIn this solo episode, Brandon reflects on a recurring theme in his work and leadership journey. The increasing presence of uncomfortable, ambiguous, and high-stakes problems. He explores how the most meaningful work often comes with the most discomfort, and why learning to sit with that tension is both necessary and worthwhile.This isn’t a glorification of pain for its own sake. It’s about the real cost, and real opportunity, that comes with doing work that matters. Brandon draws parallels between leadership and parenting, discusses the danger of ego-driven ambition, and makes the case for a thir...
2025-07-2013 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#260 – Brandon Bartneck | Redefining Innovation: Building Real Impact, One Iteration at a TimeWhat’s the point of innovation?In this solo episode, Brandon Bartneck reflects on what innovation actually means—and why the version we celebrate most (flashy tech, hype cycles, moonshots) often misses the point. Drawing from personal experience at Boeing, Bose, and multiple advanced tech sectors, Brandon shares why he’s now more energized leading engineering at a spring company than he’s ever been before.This isn’t innovation theater. It’s real work, with real people, solving hard problems that actually matter.Brandon breaks down his first-principles approach to innovation:• Make things better...
2025-06-1515 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#259 – Sean McCormack | First Student – Technology, Safety, and Real-World Innovation in Student TransportationBig innovation doesn’t always mean big headlines. Sometimes it looks like improving how 5.5 million students get to school every day.In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck talks with Sean McCormack, Chief Information Officer at First Student. They dive into the challenges of routing 45,000 school buses, the role of AI and EVs in improving safety and sustainability, and why “user-centric design” means something very different when your user is a bus driver in the dark at 6am.Sean brings a refreshing perspective on product development and leadership. He talks about real-world agile development—not the...
2025-06-0148 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#258 – The Truth About Transparency: Leading Through the Gray AreasIn this solo episode, Brandon Bartnick explores the messy reality behind transparency and authenticity in leadership. These are buzzwords in many settings, but the day-to-day application is far more complex.Drawing from recent experiences in a manufacturing and audit context, Brandon reflects on:Why total transparency isn’t always helpfulThe risks of encouraging issue-raising without accountabilityThe challenge of threading the needle between honest communication and effective executionHow well-intentioned leadership behaviors can unintentionally undermine the culture we’re trying to buildThis episode is a refl...
2025-05-1817 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#257 - Marta Anadón Rosinach | Upway - Scaling Micromobility: How Upway is Changing the E-Bike Market in the USElectric bikes are more than a trend—they’re a key part of a more sustainable, accessible, and human transportation ecosystem. But the market is still early, and big challenges stand in the way: trust, affordability, infrastructure, and shifting consumer behavior.In this episode, Brandon Bartneck talks with Marta Anadón, Head of US at Upway, the leading global platform for refurbished e-bikes. Marta shares her insights from building operations and logistics at Uber Eats, and how she’s now bringing that experience to help Upway grow in the US. The conversation covers what’s working, what’s not, and...
2025-05-0437 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#256 – From Generalities to Clarity: How We Actually Solve ProblemsIn this solo episode, Brandon unpacks a powerful idea that keeps surfacing in his work and personal life: we can’t solve problems we don’t understand. And we can’t understand problems until we stop speaking in generalities and start getting specific.The spark came from a bedtime story with his son—What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada—but the insight goes much deeper. Avoiding the problem makes it grow. Facing it, defining it, and breaking it down is what opens the door to real solutions.Brandon explores how this principle...
2025-04-2009 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#255 – Jim Liefer | Ambi Robotics - Real-World Robotics and the Future of Logistics Warehouse AutomationIn the world of logistics, automation is no longer a future concept—it’s happening now. But rolling out robotics in high-volume warehouse environments isn’t as simple as plugging in a machine and walking away.In this episode of Building Better, Brandon sits down with Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics, to talk about what it actually takes to build and deploy robotics solutions that work at scale. With more than 35 years of operational leadership experience at companies like UPS, Walmart, and Kindred AI, Jim brings a pragmatic lens to the promise and complexity of AI-driven automa...
2025-04-1345 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#254 – Mark Reich | Managing on Purpose with Hoshin Kanri and Lean LeadershipStrategic planning too often becomes an annual ritual that loses meaning as soon as the binders hit the shelf. Mark Reich is on a mission to change that.In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck sits down with Mark Reich, author of Managing on Purpose and one of the foremost experts on hoshin kanri—a strategy deployment system rooted in the Toyota Production System.Drawing on decades of leadership experience at Toyota and the Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark shares what it takes to build alignment, lead with intention, and empower your team to solve re...
2025-04-0650 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#253 – Reflections on Q1: Operational Leadership, Learning, and Building Better in the Real WorldIn this solo episode of Building Better, host Brandon Bartneck reflects on the first quarter of 2025. Drawing from recent episodes and his own evolving role leading engineering at PJ Wallbank Springs, Brandon shares the four themes that defined Q1: intentional innovation, operational leadership, learning and growth, and strategic problem-solving.This quarter marked a shift in the show’s tone—toward practicality, execution, and leading where the rubber meets the road. Whether you're growing a hardware business, managing complex systems, or trying to lead more effectively, this episode offers real-world insights from the front lines.About Buil...
2025-03-3116 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#252 – Xiaodi Hou | Bot Auto - Operational Excellence and the Future of Autonomous TruckingAutonomous trucking has long promised a more efficient, scalable future for freight. But making it real requires more than bold ideas—it takes precision, discipline, and a deep understanding of operations.In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck talks with Dr. Xiaodi Hou, founder and CEO of Bot Auto. They explore how Bot Auto is approaching Level 4 autonomous driving, the importance of cost per mile as a success metric, and what it means to build a lean, high-performing team in a complex industry.Xiaodi shares how his leadership style has evolved, why collaboration is mo...
2025-03-2345 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#251 – Tony Kinsman | Polaris - Driving the Right Innovation in PowersportsPolaris is at the forefront of innovation in powersports, with a portfolio that spans off-road vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, and more. But what does it take to lead technology development in such a dynamic industry?In this episode of Building Better, Tony Kinsman, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Off-Road Engineering at Polaris, shares insights on how Polaris approaches product development, innovation, and customer-driven design.We discuss:How Polaris balances cutting-edge technology with real-world customer needsThe evolving role of software, automation, and connectivity in powersportsHow Polaris...
2025-03-1647 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#250 – The Value of Doing Hard Things: Learning Through ChallengeThis week, I’m exploring an idea that’s been on my mind a lot lately: what happens when we push ourselves through something hard?Recently, I set a tough fitness goal, breaking 6:20 on a 2,000-meter row. I've trained for months. I prepped. Then, on test day, everything felt off. My body wasn’t cooperating, my mind was telling me to quit, and every part of me was screaming to stop. But I didn’t. And while I didn’t hit my goal, I walked away with something just as valuable: a deeper understanding of why these experience...
2025-03-0915 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#249 - Ahmad Ghahreman | Cyclic Materials - Revolutionizing Rare Earth Recycling and Sustainable MaterialsRare earth elements are essential to electrification, decarbonization, and modern technology, yet only 1% of these materials are currently recycled globally. Cyclic Materials is changing that.In this episode of Building Better, Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO of Cyclic Materials, shares how his company is pioneering rare earth element recycling to create a circular supply chain for critical materials. He discusses the challenges of recycling rare earth elements, the impact on sustainability, and how Cyclic Materials' proprietary technology significantly reduces carbon footprint.The conversation covers the role of rare earth elements in clean energy, the business model behind...
2025-03-0240 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#248 – Ross Blum | Skyline Robotics - Automated Skyscraper Window Cleaning, Facade Management & MoreFor more than a century, window cleaning for skyscrapers has been a dangerous, labor-intensive job. Skyline Robotics is changing that.In this episode of Building Better, Ross Blum, President and COO of Skyline Robotics, discusses how their flagship robotic system, Ozmo, is transforming facade maintenance through automation. Ozmo cleans windows three times faster than traditional methods, reduces risk for human workers, and creates new opportunities in the industry.The conversation explores the challenges of implementing robotics in an established industry, how trust is built with stakeholders, and the role of human labor in automation. Ross...
2025-02-2349 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#247 - The Skill That Changes Everything: How to Learn Faster and SmarterThe ability to learn on your own is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. The world is moving too fast to rely only on formal education or structured training. If you want to stay ahead, you need to take control of your own learning.In this solo episode, Brandon Bartneck breaks down three key pillars of effective learning: Depth & Breadth – Why becoming a T-shaped individual makes it easier to pick up new skills. Mastering the Fundamentals – Why struggling through the basics builds intuition and adaptability. The Pace of Learning – Why learning faster (without sacrif...
2025-02-1618 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#246 – Tony Olivo & Ken Rahn | FlexGen - Revolutionizing Energy Storage with Better SoftwareTony Olivo and Ken Rahn from FlexGen join the conversation to discuss the evolution of energy storage and its role in grid stability. FlexGen has transitioned from a hardware-focused company to a software-first approach, helping utilities and developers optimize energy storage solutions.The discussion covers the challenges of communicating value in a complex industry, the growing importance of batteries in balancing supply and demand, and the future of renewable energy. Tony and Ken share insights into how FlexGen is solving real-world energy problems through advanced software and analytics.About Building Better:Building Better with Brandon...
2025-02-0948 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#245 – Kacie Freeberg | The Power of Returnable Packaging in Automotive ManufacturingIn this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, Kacie Freeberg, a leader in automotive returnable packaging, joins the conversation to discuss the critical role of sustainable packaging solutions in the supply chain. Kacie is Senior Director, Industrial at ORBIS Corporation. With a deep understanding of returnable packaging, Kacie shares insights on how it drives cost savings, reduces waste, and enhances sustainability in automotive manufacturing.
The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, problem-solving, and clear communication in achieving continuous improvement. Kacie also provides valuable perspectives on supplier relationships, career development, and the innovations shaping the future of...
2025-02-0250 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#244 – Trevor Blondeel | Transforming Manufacturing LeadershipIn this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, Trevor Blondeel, founder of Manufacturing Greatness, joins the conversation to explore the evolving landscape of manufacturing leadership. Trevor brings over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, sharing insights on bridging the gap between expectations and reality in leadership roles, fostering self-awareness, and driving continuous improvement.
The discussion highlights the importance of transparency, curiosity, and core values in shaping a positive organizational culture. Trevor shares actionable strategies for connecting the top to the shop and emphasizes the power of emotional intelligence and feedback in developing engaged, accountable teams.
2025-01-2648 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#243 – Tim Huntzinger | XOTO - Redefining Motorcycle Safety and JoyIn this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, Tim Huntzinger, founder of California-based XOTO, shares his journey from designing in the aerospace and automotive industries to creating a revolutionary three-wheeled vehicle. With over 20 years of experience working for top companies like NASA, Boeing, Fisker, Rivian, GM, and Kittyhawk, Tim’s expertise informs his innovative approach to enhancing the joy of motorcycling while improving safety.
Tim discusses how XOTO combines the joy of riding with advanced safety features, including a self-stabilizing three-wheel design that ensures stability, maneuverability, and fun. The conversation highlights the challenges of building a su...
2025-01-1946 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#242 – Felix Leach & Nick Molden | Why Mass and Distance Are the Most Important Variables for Sustainable TransportationIn this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, Felix Leach, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, and Nick Molden, CEO of Emissions Analytics, join the discussion on sustainable transportation. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of mass and distance in determining the environmental impact of transportation, highlighting these as the most important variables for sustainability.
Felix and Nick also advocate for a radical reset in public policy and taxation systems to simplify and better align with environmental realities. They discuss the interconnectedness of the transportation ecosystem, the role of consumer choices, and actionable steps toward...
2025-01-1253 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#241 – Bridget Grewal & Kellen Mahoney | Sustainability in Automotive Packaging: Challenges, Innovations, and CollaborationIn this episode of Building Better with Brandon Bartneck, we explore the multifaceted nature of sustainability in the automotive industry with two guests: Bridget Grewal, Director of Packaging Continuous Improvement at Magna International, and Kellen Mahoney, Director at the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP).
The discussion highlights the critical role of packaging in sustainability, emphasizing challenges in recyclability, the importance of returnable packaging, and how automation shapes packaging requirements. Bridget and Kellen underscore the need for collaboration across the supply chain and the role of education and awareness in advancing sustainable practices.
This episode...
2025-01-0552 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#240 – 2024 Year in ReviewIn this reflective episode, Brandon Bartneck reviews the year 2024, discussing the evolution of his podcast, what he has learned about his core values, and the lessons learned throughout the year. He emphasizes the significance of love, growth, and joy in his life and work, while also sharing insights on systems engineering, problem-solving, and the complexities of building a strong organizational culture.
Links:
Show notes: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/p/december-2024-reflections-on-the
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
Takeaways
The podcast name changed to better reflect broader themes.
...
2024-12-2926 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#239 – Hiten Sonpal | RISE Robotics – A Better Alternative to Hydraulics & Building an Industrial Technology CompanyHiten Sonpal is the CEO of RISE® Robotics, an industrial technology company headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, specializing in sustainable motion control solutions for heavy machinery.
He discusses the innovative technology behind their electric actuation system, Beltdraulic™, which offers significant advantages over traditional hydraulic systems. He also shares insights into the commercialization journey of their products, the importance of leadership in navigating organizational priorities, and the balance between having a clear vision and adapting to uncertainty in business. Hiten emphasizes the value of proving their technology's effectiveness to potential customers and the growing demand for electrification and autonomy in...
2024-12-2347 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#237 – Abey Abraham | Ducker Carlisle – Impact of the 2024 US Elections & Good StrategyAbey Abraham is a Managing Principal at Ducker Carlisle where he leads Ducker’s automotive and materials practice, specializing in transportation, mobility, and electrification related client needs. He joins to discuss the complexities of the automotive industry, particularly focusing on electrification, regulations, and the future of internal combustion engines. He emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer preferences and the role of regulations in shaping the market.
Abey also provides insights into the strategic frameworks that legacy component suppliers should consider as they navigate the transition to electrification and the challenges posed by technological changes. We discuss the im...
2024-12-0851 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#236 – Colin Godby | Dust Moto – Electric Dirt Bikes, Impact & Self ActualizationColin Godby is CEO and co-founder of Dust. He joins shares his journey from mechanical engineering to creating electric dirt bikes, discussing the importance of recreation for mental health, the mission of Dust to make dirt biking more accessible, and the advantages of electric bikes over traditional internal combustion models. Colin emphasizes the need for innovation in the motorcycle industry to attract new riders and enhance the overall experience of dirt biking.
In this conversation, Colin discusses the transformative potential of electric dirt bikes, emphasizing their unique riding experience and the importance of maintenance and learning curves...
2024-12-0156 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#235 – Patrick Hunt | New Industry VC – Narrative Command & Operational MasteryPatrick Hunt is a GP at New Industry VC. He joins to discuss the critical concepts of narrative command and operational mastery in the context of building deep tech hardware startups. He shares insights from his experience at Rivian and Our Next Energy, emphasizing the challenges of managing change, the importance of structured risk management, and the need for founders to effectively communicate their vision. The discussion highlights the complexities of startup dynamics and the essential qualities that venture capitalists look for in founders.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/patrickhunt
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https...
2024-11-2454 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#233 – Aseem Kapur | GM Energy – Expanding and Accelerating a Holistic Energy EcosystemAseem Kapur is Chief Revenue Offer at GM Energy. He joins to discuss the company's commitment to an all-electric future and the various strategies they are implementing to drive EV adoption. He highlights the importance of customer value propositions, home energy management systems, and commercial solutions for fleet electrification. The conversation also touches on the challenges of public charging infrastructure and the lessons learned by GM Energy as they navigate the rapidly changing landscape of sustainable transportation.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/aseemkapur
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
linkedin.com...
2024-11-1047 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#232 – Lowell Mora | Impact CFO – From Controller to Strategic Partner: The Evolving Role of FinanceLowell Mora joins to discuss the critical role of finance in business strategy, particularly for family-owned businesses. Lowell shares his extensive experience as a CFO, emphasizing the importance of financial planning, analysis, and the need for businesses to adapt and prepare for transitions. The conversation explores the nuances of financial functions, the significance of cash flow forecasting, and the complexities of business valuation, including the impact of diversification on risk and opportunity. Lowell discusses various aspects of business strategy, including vertical integration, learning from mistakes, diverse sales approaches, optimizing operations, navigating business transitions, and building trust in transactions. He...
2024-11-0353 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#231 – Building a Stable, Impactful Company – A Systems Engineering ChallengeThis episode is focused on the intersection of systems engineering and business building, emphasizing the importance of creating a sustainable and impactful company culture. It explores the complexities of product development, strategy, sales, marketing, and recruiting, highlighting the need for all functions within a business to work collaboratively towards a common goal. The episodes underscores the iterative nature of these processes and the significance of optimizing the entire system rather than individual components.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/businessbuilding
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
Takeaways
2024-10-2819 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#230 – Santosh Kottalgi | Ansys – Simulation for Improved NVH PerformanceSantosh Kottalgi discusses the critical aspects of Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) in automotive engineering, emphasizing its growing importance in vehicle design. He explains the core principles of vibration and acoustics, the various sources of noise in vehicles, and how engineers approach optimization. The discussion also covers the role of simulation in detecting and mitigating production problems, the integration of AI in NVH studies, and the challenges posed by electrified propulsion systems. Santosh highlights the need for active sound management in electric vehicles and the future trends in NVH and vehicle design.
Links:
Show notes: http...
2024-10-2051 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#229 – Tim Noonan | Evertrak – Sustainable Railroad Ties & Making a Positive ImpactTim Noonan is the founder and CEO of Evertrak, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the railway industry with sustainable, high-performance solutions.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/timnoonan
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
https://evertrak.com/about-us/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/evertrak/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-noonan-8533681ba/
Takeaways
Tim Noonan emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose behind business activities.
Evertrak is focused on creating sustainable railroad ties using composite materials.
The railroad industry faces significant challenges with traditional wooden ties failing pr...
2024-10-1346 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#228 – Dr. Robert Prucka | Clemson Deep Orange – Real Project Experience for Future Automotive EngineersRob Prucka the Professor of Motorsports Engineering within the Department of Automotive Engineering at the Clemson University and director of the Deep Orange program. He joins to discuss the importance of real-world experience in engineering education, the role of systems engineering and problem-solving skills, and how understanding customer needs is crucial in vehicle design. Rob shares insights on unique selling propositions in vehicle development, the balance between innovation and practicality, and the significance of mentorship and learning from failure.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/robprucka
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
...
2024-10-0653 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#227 – Broc TenHouten | Intrinsic Power – A Better Level 2 Charger & Improved Energy Management for EV ChargingBroc TenHouten is Co-founder and CEO at Intrinsic Power, a company that actively manages infrastructure in real time allowing for more chargers to run at higher power without expensive infrastructure upgrades.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/broctenhouten
Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
https://www.intrinsicpower.com/
Takeaways:
The EV charging market faces significant infrastructure challenges.
Intrinsic Power aims to triple the number of chargers at existing locations.
Intelligent energy management is key to optimizing charging solutions.
Understanding customer behavior is crucial for effective charging solutions.
The current charging...
2024-09-2943 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#225 – Billy Evers | Hesai Technology – Reliable & High-Performance LiDAR for Autonomous DrivingBilly Evers is Head of Robotics for the Americas at Hesai Technology, a leader in LiDAR solutions. They discuss the evolution of LiDAR technology, its critical role in autonomous vehicles, and the importance of performance and reliability. Billy shares insights on manufacturing challenges, geopolitical risks, and the future of autonomous driving. The conversation also touches on market segmentation, customer focus, and the healthy competition within the LiDAR industry.
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/billyevers
Edison
Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-evers-935b0a7b/
https://www...
2024-09-1641 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckIntroducing "Building Better with Brandon Bartneck"The Future of Mobility podcast has been renamed to Build Better. This special episode explains why.
2024-09-0906 min
Grid ConnectionsBrandon Bartneck from Future of Mobility PodcastWe sit down with Brandon Bartneck, the Host of the Future of Mobility Podcast and the Vice President & General Manager at Edison Manufacturing and Engineering. SummaryIn this conversation, I discuss with Brandon Bartnick Edison's contributions to manufacturing in the mobility space. We explore topics such as the value proposition of plug-in hybrids, the challenges of towing with electric vehicles, and the interest in electrification in various industries. We also touch on the future of the EV space, how automakers are handling sales challenges in the industry to plan long term and the...
2024-01-231h 07Building Better with Brandon Bartneck#188 – 2023 Year in ReviewThis is the final episode of 2023. It’s a solid episode, in which Brandon Bartneck highlights the key themes that emerged on the Future of Mobility podcast this year, as well as the biggest updates in Brandon’s personal pursuits within this field.
Show notes:
http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/2023yearinreview
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.
linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
brandonbartneck.com...
2023-12-3122 min
Capital Light Assembly with Edison17 - Being Truly Customer-Centric & Product-Centric w/ Brandon BartneckBrandon Bartneck is Vice President & General Manager of Edison. Solo episode this week, in which Brandon talks about the five most important factors that enable a manufacturing entity to be truly product-centric and customer-centric while executing low volume production in the electrification and autonomy spaces.
About Edison:
Edison Manufacturing and Engineering is your low volume contract manufacturing partner for capital light assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don't fit neatly within traditional high volume production.
https://www.edison-mfg.com/
2023-08-0912 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckOvercoming the Challenges of Scaling Production with Gabriel Scheer (Elemental Excelerator)This bonus episode provides a peek into a second podcast series hosted by Brandon Bartneck, the Capital Light Assembly podcast. This podcast focuses on what it takes to successfully launch complex mobility and energy products in volumes that are below industry standard.
You can find the Capital Light Assembly podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, including:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gtQE3QTqxRRGbEm53688s?si=ca292fb879da4b2f
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edisonmfg
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/capital-light-assembly-with-edison/id1661691887
This clip features Gabriel Scheer.
Gabriel is the Director of Innovation for Elemental Exce...
2023-04-0625 min
The Manufacturers NetworkRevolutionizing Business Culture: Strategies for Building a Customer-Centric Organization with Brandon BartneckConnect with Brandon Bartneck:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/Lisa Ryan: Hey, it's Lisa Ryan. Welcome to the Manufacturer's Network podcast. I'm excited to introduce you to our guest today, Brandon Bartneck. Brandon is Vice President and General Manager at Edison Manufacturing, and Engineering, a low-volume contract manufacturing partner focused on capital-light assembly of complex mobility and energy products.Brandon also hosts the Future of Mobility and Capital Light Assembly Podcast. So Brandon, welcome to the show.Brandon Bartneck: Thanks, Lisa. Great to be here.Lisa Ryan: So, s...
2023-03-2028 min
Building Better with Brandon BartneckBonus - Culture, Values & the Capital Light Assembly PodcastThis bonus episode provides a peek into a new series hosted by Brandon Bartneck, the Capital Light Assembly podcast. This podcast provides a look into my "day job" as Vice President and General Manager at Edison Manufacturing & Engineering, and focuses on what it takes to successfully launch complex mobility and energy products in volumes that are below industry standard.
You can find the Capital Light Assembly podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, including:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gtQE3QTqxRRGbEm53688s?si=ca292fb879da4b2f
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@edisonmfg
Apple: h...
2023-02-1520 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckAlex Rodrigues | Embark – The iPod Approach to Automated Driving & What Winning Looks Like (Repost)This is a repost of Episode 110, originally aired on July 10, 2022. This conversation is the 5th most popular Future of Mobility podcast in 2022.
...
Alex co-founded Embark and serves as Chief Executive Officer
Key topics in this conversation include:
Alex’s path to co-founding Embark
Why they chose to focus on trucking automation as the first application for self-driving technology
How Alex thinks about competition
Why Embark is taking the “iPod approach” instead of the “iPhone approach,” and initially focusing on the sunny areas in the US
Automated laundry folding and house construction
Links:
...
2022-11-2345 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#110 – Alex Rodrigues | Embark – The “iPod” Approach to Automated Driving & What Winning Looks Like for Long Haul Truck AutomationAlex co-founded Embark and serves as Chief Executive Officer
Key topics in this conversation include:
Alex’s path to co-founding Embark
Why they chose to focus on trucking automation as the first application for self-driving technology
How Alex thinks about competition
Why Embark is taking the “iPod approach” instead of the “iPhone approach,” and initially focusing on the sunny areas in the US
Automated laundry folding and house construction
Links:
Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/AlexRodrigues
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodriguesalex/
https://embarktrucks.com/
Inaugural NHTSA ADS Crash Data Release Shows Embark With Perfe...
2022-07-1048 min
Building Better with Brandon Bartneck#76 – Future of Mobility LIVE – Investing in Sustainable Mobility Solutions with Chris Thomas & Gabriel ScheerThis episode comes from the panel discussion portion of the first Future of Mobility LIVE virtual event, recorded on November 11, 2021. The conversation features Chris Thomas, Co-Founder and Partner at Assembly Ventures and Gabriel Scheer, Director of Innovation at Elemental Excelerator.
Future of Mobility LIVE is designed to bring together individuals who are working towards the common mission of making transportation safer and more sustainable. The event includes live networking sessions designed to plant the seeds for future collaboration, as well as a panel discussion focused on having a transparent discussion about the optimal path forward.
...
2021-11-1453 min
Accelerated with Vitaly GolombBonus Episode | Season 2 - Brandon Bartneck ("Future of Mobility" Podcast - Host)On this special bonus episode I switched chairs with Brandon Bartneck, the host of the podcast that is coincidentally called "Future of Mobility" just like this season of "Accelerated". Brandon has interviewed numerous leaders in mobility on his podcast and we decided to post our conversation on both of our shows. Brandon and I covered a lot of ground on the current state of electric, autonomous, shared, and connected mobility. Usually I do the interviewing, but today you’ll hear some of my views.Brandon’s mission is to help develop a safer and more sustainable future. He d...
2021-11-0255 min
AWESome EarthKindThe Best Solution for Sustainable Mobility - with Brandon Bartneck of FEVQuantum Quote: "The obstacle is the way." – Ryan Holiday 98% of American's daily trips measure less than 50 miles. Do you know that plugging in an electric vehicle into a normal 120V socket overnight can provide 200 miles of range? This means that most of us can wipe out our gasoline consumption and eliminate 40% of our total carbon footprints simply by switching to an electric car. But however you move around - people will still have accidents, either dying or getting injured on their way. And so even a transition to electric vehicles will not by it...
2021-07-0532 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#38 – John Pelliccio & Travis Hein | Bose – Beyond Great Sounding MusicJohn Pelliccio is Head of Product Communications for the Automotive Division at Bose and Travis Head of the Automotive advanced development team for Active Sound Management technologies. John leads a global team responsible for creating the communications tools required to help describe and demonstrate the unique offerings Bose brings to the automotive marketplace. Travis manages a team of engineers working on sound and noise management solutions for Bose’s automotive OEM customers.
Topics include:
- The relation between noise-cancelling headphones and an automotive environment
- Engine harmonic cancellation
- Other aspects of...
2021-02-2253 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckSpecial Episode - Favorite BooksIn this special episode, I answer a question that I ask each of my guests by covering four books that have had a significant impact on me.
Books mentioned:
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Discourses by Epictetus
Letters to Lucilius by Seneca
Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech...
2021-02-1517 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#37 – Joe Britton | ZETA – Fighting for an Electric FutureJoe Britton is Executive Director of the Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), an industry coalition advocating for national policies that will enable 100% electric vehicle sales throughout the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors by 2030.
This conversation is focused on electric vehicles, including their benefits, challenges, and what needs to be done to achieve ZETA’s aggressive goal.
ZETA website:
https://www.zeta2030.org/
Joe Britton Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-britton-23835b4/
Joe has spent the past fifteen years working in th...
2021-02-0831 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#36 – Tom Gould & John Gomez | Adient – AI19 and the Interior of the FutureThis episode is a Future of Mobility first – a three-way discussion featuring Tom Gould and John Gomez from Adient, a leading global automotive seating supplier. Vehicle interiors, and seating in particular, have a lot of room for growth as autonomous and shared vehicles continue to gain traction. In this conversation, we hear how Tom and John are thinking about the impact of these new technologies on future interiors.
Tom Gould bio:
Thomas Gould leads Design and Technology at Adient. This Includes the Industrial Design and Craftsmanship team that provides product solutions for th...
2021-02-0136 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#35 - Bryan Stevens | Petersen Automotive Museum – Electric Vehicles Past, Present, and FutureBryan Stevens is Creative and Exhibitions Director for the Petersen Automotive Museum, located in Los Angeles.
This conversation focuses on providing context for new technology amidst the tremendous shift we're currently experiencing in the automotive segment. Electric vehicles are highlighted, looking back to their roots in the early 1900s, as well as looking at the technology and adoption both now and in the future.
https://www.petersen.org/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7l9_nNV7JWaSnNMqNjTEAQ
The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, and equitable mobility solutions, with a focus on t...
2021-01-2540 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#34 – Greg Hunt | Lubrizol – Electric Propulsion, Corrosion, and FluidsGreg Hunt is Senior Research Chemist for Strategic Research at the Lubrizol Corporation. Greg has a PhD in Chemistry from England’s 3rd oldest University - Durham University. He has published 18 research papers and has a handful of patents on corrosion. Additionally, Greg is Co-Inventor of the wire corrosion test.
This discussion is centered on the role of fluids for electric vehicle propulsion systems, with a focus on the risks, causes, and mitigation of wire corrosion. This topic is critical as we look to improve efficiency and lifetime for electric vehicles.
To address this issue, Lub...
2021-01-1840 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#33 – Marc Ausman | Airflow.aero - Electric Aircraft for the Middle MileMarc Ausman is CEO & Co-founder of Airflow.aero, a startup developing the first electric Short Take-Off and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft designed for middle-mile logistics. Marc has quite a list of relevant experience, including working on the Airbus Vahana project.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcausman/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/airflowaero/
https://www.airflow.aero/
The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, and equitable mobility solutions, with a focus on the people and technology advancing these fields.
https://www.linkedin.com...
2021-01-1134 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#32 – Asaf Weisbrot | Otonomo – Harnessing the Power of Vehicle DataAsaf Weisbrot is Chief Commercial Office at Otonomo, a company working to make car data as valuable as possible for drivers, passengers, and the transportation ecosystem.
Vehicles collect a mind-boggling volume of data, but this data often isn’t used to its full potential. In this conversation, Asaf and I talk about the different types of data that is available, and practical examples of how this data can be used to improve safety and efficiency for various aspects of the mobility sector. We also touch on key points such as privacy and security.
https://otonomo.io...
2021-01-0440 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck2020 Year in Review for Future of MobilityAs the year comes to a close, I cover three main topics in this special episode:
1. Why was the podcast started in the first place?
2. What are the key trends that have emerged through the first 31 interviews?
3. What's next?
Thanks to everyone who has listened and followed along.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-12-2822 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#31 – Abhishek Kar | Shell – Sustainability, Lubricants, & RangeAbhishek Kar is a Regional Associate Product Manager at Shell, focused on their Lubricant business in the Americas region. Abhishek was recently named as one of the 35 Under 35 Chemical Engineers by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) for his significant contribution to the field and potential for the future, especially in Energy and Environment.
This conversation is pretty evenly split in two. The first part is a technical discussion focused on lubricants and the role of Abhishek’s work in creating a sustainable future, and the second half provides interesting insights into the way Abhishek has ap...
2020-12-2137 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckStudent Spotlight - John ReimersJohn Reimers is a PhD candidate at McMaster University, and his PhD thesis topic is integrated traction inverter and battery charger topologies, including challenges for practical implementation, new topology development, and modelling and experimental validation.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-12-1715 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#30 – Mark Frohnmayer | Arcimoto – Right-sized (and fun) Electric Mobility SolutionsMark Frohnmayer is founder and president of Arcimoto, a mobility company pushing to catalyze the shift to a sustainable transportation system. They’re developing and introducing right-size electric mobility solutions with names such as the Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV), the Deliverator, and Rapid Responder.
This conversation provides holistic view at the role of transportation, and the opportunities Mark sees for introducing smaller purpose-built vehicles for the most common trips that we make.
http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/
https://www.arcimoto.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfrohnmayer/
https://www.linkedin.co...
2020-12-1434 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckStudent Spotlight - Shreshta Rajakumar DeshpandeShreshta is a PhD candidate at Ohio State, working with the Center for Automotive Research in the domain of optimization and simulation of electrified propulsion systems in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-12-1018 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#29 - Richard Steiner | Gatik - Automating the Middle MileRichard Steiner is Head of Policy and Communications at Gatik. Gatik is developing autonomous vehicles for B2B short-haul logistics with the mission of delivering goods safely and efficiently using autonomous vehicles.
Gatik has an existing partnership with Walmart and has recently announced a partnership with Canada’s largest retailer, Loblaw. As you’ll hear, Gatik is focused on the “middle mile,” as opposed to the more popular long haul truck or last-mile applications. During this episode, you’ll hear why this was selected as the focus, and what this focus has meant for the way Gatik develops a...
2020-12-0729 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckStudent Spotlight - Media SinaMedia Sina is currently an R&D Engineer Intern at Coreshell Technologies with a background in Chemical ad Biomecular Engineering from UC Berkeley.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-12-0314 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#28 – David Oord | Lilium – eVTOLs and Regional Air Mobility of the FutureDavid Oord is Head of Regulatory Affairs Americas at Lilium, which is a German company developing a revolutionary air taxi service. As David and I discussed in this episode, Lilium has recently announced that a brand new vertiport will be constructed in Orlando, Florida, as a major development in the US for this new era of air mobility.
https://lilium.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lilium-aviation-gmbh/?originalSubdomain=de
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-oord/
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-11-3042 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#27 – Çetin Meriçli | Locomation – Automated Driving for Semi-TrucksÇetin Meriçli is CEO and Co-founder of Locomation, which is a Pittsburgh-based startup with the goal of making trucking safer and transportation more efficient through automated driving technology.
They’re already showcasing the benefit of the first manifestation of this technology, their Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC), and Locomation has a longer term vision of progressing this into full-self driving technology. We spent much of this conversation focused on Locomation’s approach, and the challenges associated with automating semi-trucks.
https://locomation.ai/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/locomation/
https://twitter.com/Locoma...
2020-11-2327 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#26 - Nat Ford | Ultimate Urban Circulator, Leadership, & the JTANat Ford is CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (or JTA). Mr. Ford’s storied career includes tenures as CEO of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
He has received an incredible list of accolades, including the American Public Transportation Association’s Outstanding Public Transportation Manager for 2020, as well as the White House Champion of Change award.
This forward-looking conversation focused on the role automated vehicles can play in public transportation, as well as the different ways in which a transportation authority (and specifically JTA) can have a sign...
2020-11-1642 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#25 - Dr. Anita Sengupta | Aircraft Propulsion Systems & Urban Air MobilityDr. Anita Sengupta is a rocket scientist and aerospace engineer with over 20 years of experience developing technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, Asteroids, and Deep Space. Some of her roles include responsibility for the supersonic parachute system for the Curiosity Rover that landed on Mars in 2012, leading and managing the development of the Cold Atom Laboratory, and serving as Senior Vice President of System Engineering at Virgin Hyperloop.
Her research at USC now includes eVTOL, hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft, supersonic boom mitigation technology, and in space power and propulsion systems.
Dr. Sengupta’s...
2020-11-0944 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#24 – Ryan Duffy | Emerging Tech Brew – Key Technology Trends Affecting MobilityRyan Duffy created and writes Emerging Tech Brew. If you aren’t familiar with the newsletter and you like anything that’s been covered in this podcast so far, I recommend you check it out. Emerging Tech Brew is under the Morning Brew umbrella and is one of the world’s largest tech newsletters. https://www.morningbrew.com/emerging-tech
This discussion is a fun journey through the key technology trends that are affecting mobility, as well as several other related topics along the way. We also spent some time at the beginning talking about what makes Morning Brew s...
2020-11-0241 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#23 - Liza Dixon | Trust in Assisted/Automated Vehicles & AutonowashingLiza Dixon is a PhD Candidate at RWTH Aachen University, focused on the human-machine interaction in automated driving and trust in advanced driver assistance systems.
Our discussion centers around education and communication for assisted and automated driving systems, including a dangerous practice Liza has labeled as autonowashing. Overall, an incredibly important, and I think timely, discussion.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-10-2631 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#22 - Jim Adler | Toyota AI Ventures - AI, Autonomy, Mobility, Robotics, Data, & Cloud.Jim Adler is Founding Manager Director at Toyota AI Ventures.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-10-1942 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#21 - Clare Jones | what3words - The Simplest Way to Talk about LocationClare Jones is the Chief Commercial Officer at what3words, which has split the entire world into 10 ft x 10 ft squares in an attempt to change the way we talk about location.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-10-1230 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#20 - Kelly Senecal | ICEs, BEVs, Hybrids, & Our "Eclectic" FutureKelly Senecal is co-founder and owner of Convergent Science, an SAE Fellow, and an advocate for an eclectic transportation future.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-10-0541 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckSpecial Episode - The Return of Paul Comfort | Public Transportation Children's BookPaul Comfort joins again (see episode 9) to discuss his latest book, Public Transportation - from Tom Thumb to the Hyperloop and Beyond.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-09-3017 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#19 - Tim Slusser | Advancing EV Adoption & Charging InfrastructureTim Slusser is Director of Smart Mobility Initiatives at NextEnergy Center, where he is helping to accelerate innovation and shape the future of mobility and smart cities through partnerships and thought leadership. His current focus is providing support for designing programming to educate consumers and communities on the benefits of EVs, project and contract management for hydrogen R&D, and project management and business model analysis for a 400 kW EVSE demonstration funded by the Department of Energy. Additionally, he's working on business models and demonstrations in the areas of autonomous vehicles, mobility-as-a-service platforms, vehicle-to-grid services, mobility and safety infrastructure...
2020-09-2843 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#18 - Becky Soltanian | Machine Learning for Automated DrivingBecky Soltanian is head of computer vision and sensor fusion at a stealth mode start-up after previously serving in various development roles related to LiDAR and automated driving systems.
Our discussion focused on machine learning, including various applications and aspects of machine learning that play a key role in the development of automated driving solutions.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-09-2134 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#17 - Katrina Fritz | Hydrogen Applications for Power ProductionKatrina Fritz is Executive Director of the California Stationary Fuel Cell Collaborative, with extensive experience in the hydrogen industry, including with Plug Power and UTC Power (which then became ClearEdge Power).
This conversation is centered around stationary power applications for hydrogen fuel cell which, although not directly applicable for "mobility solutions" provides significant overlap in some of the key areas such as hydrogen production, hydrogen distribution, and PEM fuel cell development.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-09-1434 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#16 - Mark Thomas | Ridecell - Shared Mobility SolutionsMark Thomas is Vice President of Marketing & Alliances at Ridecell, who claims to be the mobility platform to launch & scale successful subscriptions, short-term leases, carsharing & ridesharing services.
We had a wide-ranging discussion around all things shared mobility including the different business models, the importance of operational and pricing optimization, and the different ways in which Ridecell supports their customers.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-09-0734 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#15 - Trevor Pawl | Leading the Office of Future Mobility and ElectrificationTrevor Pawl is the Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan and he heads the newly created Office of Future Mobility and Electrification.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-08-3137 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckSpecial Episode - Is the Internal Combustion Engine Dead?In this special episode, I pull from my conversations with Chris Cowland, Brian Van Batavia, and Santosh Sankar to answer a single question - is the IC engine dead?
2020-08-2413 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#14 - Nicolas Pocard | Ballard - Fuel Cells for Heavy Duty ApplicationsNicolas Pocard is Director of Marketing & Strategy at Ballard Power Systems, a developer and manufacturer of PEM fuel cell products for markets such as heavy-duty motive, portable power, and material handling.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-08-1741 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckSpecial Episode - Realistic Applications for Automated DrivingIn this special episode, I pull insights from Santosh Sankar, Ed Olson, and Chris Borroni-Bird.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-08-1016 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#13 - Will Creighton | Ford - Early Career Decisions in a Rapidly Changing IndustryWill Creighton is a Research Engineer for Driver Assist Technologies at Ford Motor Company.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-08-0331 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#12 - Frantz Saintellemy | LeddarTech - LiDAR Solutions for Automated DrivingFrantz Saintellemy is President and Chief Operating Officer at LeddarTech, a leader in Solid State LiDAR solutions with its unique and innovative Leddar Engine which comprised of a high performance compatible suite of SoCs and LeddarSP Signal Processing Software technology to enable OEMs and Tiered automotive customers to develop their own high performance, low-cost solid state LiDAR solutions
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-07-2736 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#11 - Santosh Sankar | Dynamo - Seed-stage Investment in Supply Chain & MobilitySantosh Sankar is a Founding Partner of Dynamo Ventures, a seed-stage fund focused on founders building startups in supply chain and mobility.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-07-2039 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#10 - Jackie Birdsall | Fuel Cells! (Toyota)Jackie Birdsall is a Senior Engineer in the Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle group of Toyota Motor North America Research and Development, specializing in hydrogen infrastructure, high-pressure hydrogen systems, and associated codes, standards, and regulations.
2020-07-1333 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#9 - Paul Comfort | Future of Public TransportationPaul Comfort is a veteran in the transportation industry, previously serving as CEO of the Maryland Transit Administration. He is currently VP of Business Development for the Trapeze Group, host of the Transit Unplugged podcast, and author of “The Future of Public Transportation”
This conversation is quite a change from my typical episodes. We spend some time talking about public transportation and the technology trends impacting the industry, but Paul also supplements that with nuggets from his own life on leadership, communication, and the likes.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed unde...
2020-07-0639 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#8 - Ed Olson | May Mobility - Enabling Better Transportation through AutomationEd Olson is Chief Executive Officer and Founder of May Mobility, a mobility startup striving to transform cities through autonomous technology. Ed's involvement in autonomous vehicles started with the original DARPA challenge back in 2007, and he remains a top robotics professor at the University of Michigan.
Ed and I talk about his motivation for starting May Mobility, their unique business model, their role and value proposition for both government and commercial customers, the role of automation in public transportation, and much more.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons...
2020-06-2930 minBuilding Better with Brandon BartneckSpecial Episode - InnovationIn this special episode focused on Innovation, I pull insights from Chris Borroni-Bird, Phil Gott, Brian Van Batavia, and Chris Cowland regarding different aspects of innovation.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-06-2210 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#7 - Michelle Mueller | Michigan's Connected & Automated Mobility CommitmentMichele Mueller has spent over 25 years with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and currently is Senior Project Manager for Connected and Automated Vehicles at MDOT
Michele and I talk about the role of connectivity on future mobility solutions, the ways in which the state of Michigan is thinking about building transportation infrastructure for connected and automated vehicles, the importance of working with cutting edge industry partners to define future technology roadmaps, and much more.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-06-1537 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#6 - Phil Gott | New Technology Introduction & Consumer BehaviorPhil Gott is an industry veteran who has spent much of his career focused on technology trends and new technology introduction, both from a developmental standpoint as well as a society-driven technology pull perspective. He spent over two decades with IHS.
Phil and I talk about the unique situation we're currently in thanks to the combination of the COVID crisis and accelerated technology growth, Phil's passion for racing, ways in which past technologies have been packaged to improve consumer adoption, and much more.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.c...
2020-06-0837 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#5 - Robert Chiaravalli | Human Resources As a Critical Part of Success in the Highly Competitive Mobility SectorBob Chiaravalli has served as VP of Human Resources and Chief Labor Counsel with large automotive organizations, and has spent the past two decades as President of his consulting company, Strategy Labor and Human Resources.
This discussion certainly comes from a different angle than the other ones I've had so far, and it's one that I particularly enjoyed. We covered a lot of ground, including topics such as the fight to attract and retain specialized talent, the critical interaction between branding and Human Resources, the importance of leaders and executives responding to the COVID crisis, and much more.
Music credit...
2020-06-0134 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#4 - Chris Borroni-Bird | Afreecar, EV Skateboards, & RobotaxisChris Borroni-Bird has experience as Chief Engineer of Future Programs at Waymo, VP of Strategy at Qualcomm, Director of Advanced Technology Concepts at GM, and lead for Chrysler's fuel cell development. He now spends much of his time focused on a mobility solution for underserved areas, called Afreecar.
Chris and I talk at length about his Afreecar project, the skateboard platform for electric vehicles (which Chris helped to pioneer in the early 2000s), robotaxis, and many more fascinating topics.
Music credit: Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-05-2639 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#3 - Brian Van Batavia | Systems Engineering & Leading at an EV Start-upBrian Van Batavia is the Technical Director at Bollinger Motors, an exciting start-up developing all-electric trucks and utility vehicles. Before joining Bollinger Motors, Brian had various engineering positions with companies such as MTS Systems, Eaton, and Polaris.
Brian and I talk about the importance of his electronics and systems engineering background, the unique he brings to systems engineering, his decision to take on a leadership position at a start-up, the way he thinks about competition, his role in branding, and much more.
Music credit:
Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-05-1825 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#2 - Chris Cowland | High Performance & Advanced PowertrainsChris Cowland has had several exciting roles throughout his career, and is best known for his time with Chrysler, which then became FCA, where he most recently served as Director of Advanced and SRT Powertrain, overseeing the development of dynamic projects such as the Apache, Viper, Hellcat, and Demon engines. Chris now provides valuable powertrain engineering consulting through C Squared Engineering.
Chris and I talk about his unique career path, the future of halo products and supercars, the role of electrification and the IC engine as we move forward, and much more.
Music credit:
Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
...
2020-05-1134 minBuilding Better with Brandon Bartneck#1 - Chris Bruntlett | Learning about Cycling from the DutchThe Dutch are the best in the world at using cycling for everyday transportation.
In this episode, Chris Bruntlett discusses the benefits of the way the Dutch move around, the ways in which other cities can learn from the Dutch, and the various roadblocks we need to overcome before cycling, and other forms of micro-mobility, can take hold in cities around the world.
Music credit:
Slow Burn Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
2020-05-0136 min