Niche Applications for Autonomous Vehicles
Despite what you may have heard, self-driving tech is alive, well and growing in popularity in niche applications that don't necessarily involve a highway or a road.

Despite what you may have heard, self-driving tech is alive, well and growing in popularity in niche applications that don't necessarily involve a highway or a road.
A recent government report released jointly by the Departments of the Interior, Energy, Agriculture, and Defense showed that there is significant potential for further expanding renewable energy production on federal lands. Released by the Energy Department on January 14, 2025, I wonder if this report is considered moot, given today's political climate.
I spent a week behind the wheel of the Lexus UX300h hybrid. I can tell you that the experience was a LOT more than an exercise in sustainability and economy!
It flew for twenty minutes back in 2021, but the world is just learning the details of that ground-breaking flight now.
You think you know all there is to know about wind energy? Guess again!
This month, the Big Apple instituted its new plan to reduce traffic in and out of lower Manhattan, after a six month delay. Is this new pricing plan a benefit or a burden? Depends on who you ask.
OpenAI has recently introduced Operator, an AI Agent tool that can take control of your PC and perform actions on your behalf. Is this good or bad? What is an AI Agent anyway? I review and explain.
GM's EV transition will continue despite the potential for policy changes - according to the company's CFO. I explain why.
Toyota is looking to building over 3 1/2 million EVs by 2030 without heavy spending for new facilities. I explain how the automaker, who is late to the move toward pure electrics, plans to leapfrog the market.
The world of electric aviation is gaining momentum with the introduction of battery electric powered trainer aircraft. These new aircraft are drawing significant interest from flight schools worldwide as they provide modern, reliable and economical platforms for student pilots to complete their primary training in.
Hyundai has introduced the IONIQ5 N, a performance version of its pure electric crossover. While it does have exterior styling cues that set it off from the standard model, the added performance attributes are for real and not merely cosmetic.
The midsize Jeep crossover SUV that was most recently badged as a Cherokee, may make a return to the American marketplace as a hybrid, according to company sources. Whether it will continue to carry the Cherokee name is a point of contention with America's Cherokee Nation.
For over 100 years, the passenger car - two door, four door and station wagon, have had an amazing run. With America's love affair for pickup trucks, crossovers, and SUVs, not to mention electric vehicles and hybrids, the 2025 model year marks the end of an era for a number of once popular cars.
The Norfolk Southern Railway has teamed up with Alstom SA, a French multinational rolling stock manufacturer, to convert two diesel engines to hybrid battery diesel technology. It promises to reduce emissions by 90 percent!
Google is in the process of staffing up its DeepMind research lab to build generative models that are capable of simulating the physical world. YIKES!
General Motors says that it expects to save $2,000 PER VEHICLE by expanding a digital retailing platform and switching to a regional fulfillment center. Ford is on the same tip with it's F-150 Lightning. Problem is, GM has been here before in one form or another. Listen to the podcast to learn more.
Major transportation companies are pouring billions of dollars into the development of VTOL (virtual take off and landing) air taxis. Regulatory issues aside, where will the sustainable demand come from to support this industry? I have some thoughts.
Its unlike any big rig you have ever seen, and for good reason. Shell calls it a "lab on wheels", its sole purpose to show truckers how performance can be improved cost effectively with today's technology.
Is there a market for a true performance hybrid wagon? Volvo thinks so. The V60 T8 AWD Polestar Engineered wagon is just the thing for the person who loves the art and science of driving a well crafted vehicle. My impressions follow.
After years of delays, Tesla says it is finally getting its heavy-duty Semi truck program closer to production. Problem is, will there be any takers when they are available for purchase and delivery?
The large "box" at the rear of commercial wind turbines can be repurposed as an upscale tiny home, as one Dutch company has developed a prototype.
According to the National Institutes of Health, one in seven Americans age 71 and older has some type of dementia. Individuals living with Alzheimer's dementia may develop a behavior that is of special concern - wandering. New technology introduced in the United Kingdom may help keep these folks safe.
Automating a restaurant kitchen offers great rewards to the organization who can figure it out. Industry pundits estimate some $12 Billion in savings, yet the very nature of the kitchen makes it almost impossible to automate.
Mazda is on a roll these days - largely without a hybrid or pure electric models. Meanwhile, Dodge is rushing its twin-turbo V6 gasoline powered Charger into production, citing consumer demand. The gasoline powered vehicle isn't dead yet - not by a long shot.
Another vintage building material is having a moment in the sustainability spotlight: straw. Not so much in the "Middle Ages" way of thinking but in the modern, dense, modular construction way. We discuss.
A recent study conducted by Edmunds discovered that an increasing number of Americans have a large amount of negative equity in their vehicles - meaning they own much more than its worth - some to the tune of $15,000 more. I discuss.
Mazda continues its winning ways. After the introduction of its new 3-row flagship CX90 crossover SUV last year, the automaker takes things to the next level with its CX70. Opulent accommodations and plenty of room for passengers and cargo may make this one the break-out star for 2025! I share my impressions.
A 150 year old technology remains an important part of the modern American supply chain: railroads. We take a look at a new Utah short line serving a new industrial park to learn more.
Japanese kai trucks, small trucks the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, and propelled by motorcycle engines, have seen an increase in numbers on American roads in recent years. Owners love them, regulators are skeptical about their safety, and they sell for less than $15,000. Did I mention that they are all over 25 years old?
On a typical day in America, police initiate more than 50,000 traffic stops impacting 20 million motorist each year. Every year, approximately 300 of those end fatally. Safer Traffic Stops LLC was founded in order to reduce that number and make every traffic stop a safe one. https://safertrafficstops.com