Welcome to The TechMobility Podcast, your ultimate source for authentic insights, news, and perspectives at the nexus of mobility and technology. We're all about REAL FACTS, REAL OPINIONS, and REAL TALK! From personal privacy to space hotels, if it moves or moves you, we're discussing it! Our weekly episodes venture beyond the conventional, offering a unique, unfiltered take on the topics that matter. We're not afraid to color outside the lines, and we believe you'll appreciate our bold appr ...
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Welcome to TechMobility Topics, your go-to podcast for everything at the crossroads of mobility and technology. Each week, we delve into the most engaging topics from our nationally syndicated radio program, the TechMobility Show. Our curated, bite-sized episodes are perfect for a quick dive into the world of tech mobility. Stay informed, stay updated, and stay ahead with TechMobility Topics. #technology #mobility #news #techmobilitypod https://techmobility.show
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Imagine passing a truck on the Interstate at highway speed that doesn’t have a cab for a driver. That is in fact just a flat wall crowned with sensors and cameras. In China, these futuristic yet cheap-looking trucks are part of a fleet of driverless light trucks that can carry 1,000 parcels autonomously over a range of 110 miles. Sound far-fetched?…
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Tiny houses. With the stock of affordable housing severely diminished in many parts of the country, the rise of tiny houses offers some people an alternative when considering a safe place to live. A twist on that concept is the rise of tiny house villages, often near or just outside small towns in rural America. Could this be a win-win for all?…
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The Mitsubishi Outlander was originally introduced to American motorists at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as the Mitsubishi ASX concept vehicle – ASX standing for Active Sports Crossover. Replacing the body-on-frame Montero Sport in North America, the Outlander went on sale during the 2003 model year. The fourth and cur…
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Where EV Chargers Are At Parity with Gasoline Stations
9:15
9:15
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9:15As of the end of 2024, the State of California had 48 percent MORE electric vehicle chargers than gas pump nozzles at 178,549. This compares of just 120,000 gasoline nozzles. However, only 17,000 of the chargers are fast chargers with the rest being the slower Level 2 chargers.
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On secret radio stations nationwide, a decades old news service has survived the move to digital. They are called radio reading services and they perform a vital function for the visually impaired.
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Building a vehicle starts with years of planning, thousands of global suppliers and available workers, millions of square feet of factory space, and billions of dollars in capital expenditures. It takes years to bring a new factory on-line, assuming you have the people and engineering staff to run the factory. It is not something that companies do …
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It’s official: Duolingo, the language learning tech company, will “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle,” – that’s a direct quote from the company. In case you still think that AI displacement of workers is years in the future, guess again!
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Mercedes-Benz is working on a solar "paintwork" that could give EVs thousands of miles of additional range per year. These are new types of solar modules that could be seamlessly applied to the bodies of electric vehicles. These efforts could eventually pave the way for a wafer-thin layer of paint that could generate additional 8,699 miles of range…
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Mercedes' Solar Paint Revolution, AI in Humans Out, Made in America, Secret Radio Stations
41:53
41:53
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41:53Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Revolutionary solar paint technology from Mercedes could transform how we power our vehicles. This breakthrough innovation promises to deliver enough energy annually to drive nearly 8,700 miles without plugging in—eliminating range anxiety and potentially reshaping the entire EV landsca…
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Shifting Gears: EVs, Tiny Homes, and Ghost Trucks; 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander review
41:58
41:58
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41:58Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! California's charging revolution has quietly reshaped the electric vehicle landscape, with the Golden State now boasting an astonishing 48% more EV chargers than gas nozzles. This remarkable milestone challenges the persistent narrative about charging scarcity, though important question…
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EVs Require Changes to Highway Safety Tech
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10:39According to a recent article in Roads and Bridges magazine, testing shows the need for new roadside safety hardware standards for EVs. Roadside safety hardware like guardrails, median barriers, bridge rails, crash cushions, end treatments and breakaway support structures are designed to protect life and minimize injuries in the event of a crash. I…
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AI Overlords vs Human Jobs: What happens when humans are not needed?
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10:55
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10:55Artificial Intelligence. Its hard to imagine how we got here in just three short years from the introduction of ChatGPT. As businesses and organizations around the globe rushed to infuse their very existence with AI, its ability to digest and summarize unimaginable amounts of data have already brought us to the brink of excluding human workers from…
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The Hyundai Tucson. Named after an Arizona city and launched in 2004, it is the automaker’s best-selling model globally, having sold over 7 million units since its introduction. Positioned as a smaller alternative to the Santa Fe, the Tucson rides on a platform sourced from the Elantra sedan and is the mechanical sibling to the Kia Sportage. Curren…
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The Economic Case for Electric Vocational Trucks
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11:15As both trucking fleets and truck manufacturers wade through what the industry calls the "messy middle" from ICE to EVs, PACCAR's Kenworth and Peterbilt nameplates are making a compelling argument for EVs in the vocational truck segment. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
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Virtual Reality Facilitates Automotive Technician Training
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10:34Throughout the United States, many a local new car dealer has a continuing need for experienced service technicians. So much the more now, with the increasing sophistication of the engineering and technical design. Working with local community colleges and high schools, shrinking budgets and changing priorities means that very often, the local reso…
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A recent article in the business magazine Fast Company talked about a gas station of the future and the company behind it. Nope, they haven’t given up on decarbonization, but what they are using for a feedstock to create the new fuels will surprise you. Listen to this podcast to learn more.
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Trees. They are amazing tools of nature – they absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They shade our neighborhoods during the Spring and Summer, lowering temperatures by as much as fifteen degrees. They absorb noise, reducing noise pollution. And they are often pretty to look at. What’s not to love? Does your city benefit from this urban canopy…
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Why BYD's Fast Charging Platform is a Game Changer
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11:28BYD, a leading Chinese EV manufacturer, has developed what it calls a Super e-Platform for its EVs that promises charging as fast as refueling, allowing for 249 of range in just five minutes of charging. More importantly, the company is making that technology standard on almost all of its vehicles, regardless of price point. Learn why this will qui…
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How Vocational EVs Make Economic Sense; 2025 Hyundai Tucson review; Is AI Replacing Us All; Electric Vehicles and Highway Safety
43:33
43:33
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43:33Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The mobility landscape is transforming before our eyes, with technological advancements creating both opportunities and challenges that demand our attention. Commercial trucking is undergoing a significant shift as PACCAR brands Kenworth and Peterbilt introduce fully electric vocational…
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Trees, Fuels, and Training: How Technology Reshapes Our Urban Landscape
43:48
43:48
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43:48Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Take a thrilling journey through cutting-edge mobility innovations that are transforming how we power, live in, and learn about our world. Ken Chester dives deep into BYD's revolutionary EV charging technology that delivers 249 miles of range in just 5-10 minutes—a game-changing advance…
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According to the National Safety Council, 891 people were killed and 37,701 were injured in work zone crashes. Most of those deaths were motorists! Technology is being deployed to reduce both the severity and frequency of these collisions. We take a look.
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OMG! Longer Car Loans - Is Affordability Still a Thing?
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11:01I remember a time when you could purchase a decently equipped NEW car (1970’s definition) for right around $4,000 with a monthly payment spreading out over 36 months of about $140/month. To be fair, decently equipped in the mid 1970’s was a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, single speaker AM/FM radio and an electric …
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The Volkswagen Jetta was launched by the automaker in 1980 to fill a sedan niche slightly above the firm’s Golf (then known in the States as the Rabbit), hatchback. Sold globally and known by variety of model names, the Jetta has grown in size and power with each generation. With millions sold over its model run, the Volkswagen Jetta continues to b…
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Ford Adds Anti-Theft Protections for F-150 app
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9:33Every 31 seconds, a car gets stolen in America. Since the Ford F-150 pickup truck has been the most popular vehicle sold in the country for over 40 years, it makes sense to surmise that many of those thefts would be of the popular truck. Now Ford is offering new F-150 owners a mobile app engine immobilizer as part of its new Ford Security Package. …
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How Gen Z is Changing the Way America Drinks Coffee
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10:32Coffee. Regular or decaf(!), black, or with cream and/or sugar, hot or iced, fancy or not. Everybody has a preference. As for me, regular hot coffee with a dash of half and half with PLENTY of sugar! Speaking of preference, it seems that Gen Z is on a different page – as a group, they like it cold, sweet, and loaded with creamer. IS NOTHING SACRED?…
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How the Dealer Plans to Sell You MORE Than Just the Car!
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11:09When it comes to purchasing a vehicle at your local car dealership, the usual interaction with the dealership’s F&I Department (that stands for Finance and Insurance) is once the deal has been made and financing is being discussed. However, there are additional new products available that they want to sell you at vehicle purchase. We review some of…
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According to a recent article in Scientific American magazine, the rates of fatal crashes and crime are both LOWER on public transportation than on roadways. While there is a common perception in the United States that taking public transit is dangerous, the truth is quite the opposite. We discuss.
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Are you a deep fake? Your local new car dealer wants to know, especially before selling you a car. It seems that modern scammers are using artificial intelligence to replicate voices and faces in calls and videos, opening up a new realm of auto finance fraud. This is particularly troublesome in what the industry calls "off-site deliveries", that is…
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Tech on the Road: Anti-Theft Apps, Car Loans, and Traffic Safety
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44:12
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44:12Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The automotive world continues to evolve with groundbreaking solutions to age-old problems – theft, affordability, and safety. This week, we dive deep into Ford's innovative approach to vehicle security with their new mobile app engine immobilizer for its F-150 trucks. Imagine being abl…
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Are You Who You Say You Are, Why Public Transit is Safer, Changing Coffee Options
44:13
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44:13Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! A digital doppelgänger might be stealing cars in your name right now. The automotive industry is facing an alarming new threat as sophisticated scammers deploy deep fake technology to defraud dealerships and manufacturers. These criminals create convincingly realistic digital personas—s…
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Faraday Future: Back fro the Dead - AGAIN!
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10:22
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10:22Since starting my radio show back in 2017, I have talked about a number of new and promising EV start-ups, some are still around, some have faded from memory and some, like Rivian, are thriving. Faraday Future, a company that introduced its first prototypes to the world at CES back in 2017, is one such company. I have detailed their ups and downs, …
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The American dealership landscape tells an equally compelling story of strategic consolidation. While Detroit automakers trim their franchise networks, remaining dealers achieve significantly higher sales volumes—particularly luxury brands seeking exclusive retail experiences. Toyota leads with an astonishing 1,607 vehicles per dealership annually …
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Nissan continues defying industry trends with its commitment to sedan models. The 2025 Altima offers impressive value at $30,330 (with AWD) in a market where average transaction prices approach $50,000. Though solidly built with exceptional headlights and generous cargo capacity, the vehicle reveals its aging platform through absent modern features…
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Boston's innovative approach to EV charging infrastructure is reshaping urban mobility possibilities by tackling one of the most significant barriers to widespread adoption: access for apartment dwellers. The city's behind-the-meter curbside charging solution not only eliminates installation costs for homeowners but transforms their curb space into…
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Boston's Behind-the-Meter EV Charging Solution, Nissan Altima SR review, New Dealership Numbers Up, It's Faraday Future - AGAIN!
44:10
44:10
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44:10Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Boston's innovative approach to EV charging infrastructure is reshaping urban mobility possibilities by tackling one of the most significant barriers to widespread adoption: access for apartment dwellers. The city's behind-the-meter curbside charging solution not only eliminates install…
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Navigating Commercial Trucking's "Messy Middle"
10:38
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10:38During this episode, I explore commercial trucking's "messy middle" – the experimental phase between traditional diesel power and zero-emission transportation that could last decades. For long-haul applications, battery electric solutions face significant challenges with weight, range, and charging time, while alternatives like hydrogen fuel cells …
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Shopify's CEO Toby Lutke has implemented a radical new hiring policy that could foreshadow dramatic workplace changes. Teams must now "assume AI, prove the need for humans" – demonstrating that artificial intelligence cannot adequately perform a job function before justifying human hires. This raises profound questions about who determines when AI …
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Most Reliable Vehicle in America - According to JD Power
9:51
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9:51The automotive reliability landscape revealed surprising strength from American manufacturers in JD Power's latest Vehicle Dependability Survey. While Lexus claimed the top spot, Buick secured second place overall and ranked as the top mass-market brand, outperforming Toyota. Even more surprising was General Motors' dominance with four brands in th…
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EV Manufacturer Rivian Spins off Micromobility Start-up
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11:28Rivian is expanding beyond traditional electric vehicles with a bold new venture into micromobility. The EV manufacturer that's attracted billions in investment from Amazon, Ford, and Volkswagen has launched "ALSO" – a separate startup focused on developing small, lightweight electric vehicles for global markets. With $105 million in initial fundin…
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Rivian's Micromobility Revolution, America's Most Dependable Vehicles, No Human Need Apply, Navigating Trucking's Messy Middle
44:14
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44:14Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Rivian is expanding beyond traditional electric vehicles with a bold new venture into micromobility. The EV manufacturer that's attracted billions in investment from Amazon, Ford, and Volkswagen has launched "ALSO" – a separate startup focused on developing small, lightweight electric v…
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Will the AI Data Boom Save Rural America?
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10:35Rural America. Long regarded by the well-heeled on the coasts as “fly-over” country. Sections of it are dirt poor and losing population as soon as they can graduate and move away for better jobs and more opportunity. It seems that perhaps the pendulum may be swinging the other way as the need for cheap land and bountiful electricity are bringing Bi…
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Their names are Alessandro and Julian and they race 160 pound go-karts. The are fierce competitors in the World Series of Karting championship and they just may become the next generation of Formula One drivers. By the way, they are aged 11 and 12 and have been competing since they were nine and ten. Fun fact: every current F1 driver started in a g…
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Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? The Kia K4 sedan is a compact car manufactured by the automaker in Mexico as a replacement for the long-running Forte sedan. Initially introduced to the public in March, 2024 at the New York International Auto Show, the first-ever K4 is offered by the automaker in five distinct trim levels. Power fo…
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The transportation landscape is undergoing a hydrogen revolution that few are talking about. While headlines focus on battery electric vehicles, hydrogen is quietly emerging as the true contender for zero-emission long-haul trucking. As I reveal in this episode, hydrogen offers two compelling pathways - direct combustion in modified engines or elec…
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After years of testing and development, humanoid robots are taking their place in warehouses and on or near assembly lines on the factory floor. Make no mistake, this new generation of robots are in fact replacing actual human beings. Should we be concerned? These machines are already replacing human workers in warehouses and factories, offering co…
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You Can Still Buy a NEW Car for Less than $30K!
10:50
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10:50With the average new vehicle sticker price hovering around $50,000, it would be easy to assume that a good, quality NEW car for much less than that would not be possible. Consumer Reports brings welcome news for budget-conscious car shoppers, highlighting several excellent vehicles available under $30,000, including the Subaru Forester, Toyota Camr…
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Have you had this experience: You visit an actual store looking for a particular item, only to be told that not only is not in stock, but you can buy it online? Yeah, me too and its not ok. The retail landscape continues its dramatic transformation as brick-and-mortar stores increasingly function as showrooms rather than fully-stocked shopping dest…
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Volkswagen's New Budget EV Gets a Boost from Rivian Tech
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11:31Volkswagen's $1.3B investment in Rivian brings affordable EVs closer to reality. Their upcoming ID.1 electric minicar will cost just $20K and launch in 2027. The EV revolution is finally reaching mainstream price points. What's your price threshold for going electric?
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Cheap Cars, Empty Stores, and Workers That Don't Need Bathroom Breaks
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44:01
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44:01Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! Volkswagen's groundbreaking partnership with Rivian marks a pivotal moment in the democratization of electric vehicles. With a substantial $1.3 billion investment, the German automaker has accelerated its EV timeline, bringing forward the launch of its first software-defined vehicle (SD…
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Gas Who? Hydrogen's Takes the Wheel, Kia K4 GT-Line Review, From Go-Karts to F1, AI Reshapes Rural America
43:54
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43:54Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode! The transportation landscape is undergoing a hydrogen revolution that few are talking about. While headlines focus on battery electric vehicles, hydrogen is quietly emerging as the true contender for zero-emission long-haul trucking. As I reveal in this episode, hydrogen offers two comp…
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