Uber’s Monkey in the Wrench

Uber’s Monkey in the Wrench
by Roger C. Lanctot on 03-23-2018 at 7:00 am

The news of a pedestrian fatality in Tempe, Ariz., resulting from the operation of an Uber autonomous vehicle has set off alarm bells throughout the AV development community. As always in such circumstances there will be a simultaneous rush to judgement and the immediate termination of all such testing, as well as a call for calm… Read More


What GM Can Learn from Tesla

What GM Can Learn from Tesla
by Roger C. Lanctot on 01-28-2018 at 7:00 am

General Motors has had wireless connections to its cars for more than 21 years, thanks to Project Beacon, better known as OnStar, now operated as Global Connected Consumer Experience. OnStar has likely saved hundreds of lives, if not thousands, by summoning emergency responders to the scenes of crashes where airbags deployed.… Read More


Why Cars aren’t as Safe as Planes

Why Cars aren’t as Safe as Planes
by Roger C. Lanctot on 10-12-2017 at 12:00 pm

People are often confused and amazed that airline travel is so much safer than travel by bus, rail or car. The safety of air travel is truly miraculous, particularly in comparison to the disastrous history of terrestrial travel.

This reality was highlighted by the latest fatality data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation… Read More


Tuning in to Tesla Radio

Tuning in to Tesla Radio
by Roger C. Lanctot on 08-18-2017 at 12:00 pm

The rumor is spreading far and wide that Tesla Motors’ CEO Elon Musk is talking with major record labels about creating a streaming audio service dedicated to Tesla vehicles. The widespread industry reaction is head scratching and eye rolling at what is seen as the latest chapter in the Musk follies – Solar City, Model 3, Autopilot,Read More


The Fate of Autonomous

The Fate of Autonomous
by Roger C. Lanctot on 04-09-2017 at 7:00 am

The latest installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise will debut bringing the concept of remote control of cars into the mainstream. Suffice it to say that remote control plays a major role in the script.

This will only be the latest chapter of a long-running effort to demonize autonomous vehicle technology inRead More


Apple Car Crumble

Apple Car Crumble
by Roger C. Lanctot on 10-21-2016 at 7:00 am

Software, mechanical and electrical engineers working for auto makers received a huge self-esteem injection this week as events unfolding at Apple suggested that the company had abandoned long-rumored plans for building a car. Considering the fact that Apple still hasn’t delivered a decent navigation app with traffic services,… Read More


Future Connected Cars 2016

Future Connected Cars 2016
by Roger C. Lanctot on 05-15-2016 at 4:00 pm

There are times when a speaker for a large corporation clearly breaks from the cold corporate talking points and suggests something that you just know his managers will consider cringe-worthy. Haden Kirkpatrick, described on the event agenda of the Future Connected Car event in Santa Clara as “director of strategy and … Read More


Is Elon Musk from the Future?

Is Elon Musk from the Future?
by Roger C. Lanctot on 04-17-2016 at 10:00 pm

One of the more annoying (ie. delightful) things about Tesla Motors is the way the company casually disrupts long established auto industry business models. Whether it is vehicle sales and service or overcoming EV range anxiety or using your car to as an extension of the power grid or letting your car drive itself.

The latest twist… Read More