PAVEcast: A conversation about autonomous vehicles

AV trucking has the potential to transform the way goods are moved across the country. From enhancing highway safety to increasing the efficiency of trucking fleets, AV technology may usher in a new generation of overland freight hauling in the United States.

Torc Robotics has been working to bring new transportation solutions to the freight industry for many years. Torc has developed many new approaches to incorporating autonomy into trucking and the company’s longevity has given them the opportunity to forge important partnerships in the automotive industry.

In this episode of the PAVEcast, we have a conversation with Nick Elder, the Torc Robotics Director of Strategy, who talks about the history of Torc Robotics, their approach to AV trucking, and how they plan to advance the self-driving trucking sector for years to come.

This year’s PAVE Gift Guide includes editions of the Emmy-winning sci-fi show Westworld, which takes viewers to a future where robots, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles are prevalent. The show – set in a futuristic fantasy park – provides an interesting fictional portrayal of what AVs could look like in society.

Of course, behind the scenes is an entire team of creative minds, so we wanted to see how they went about bringing AVs to life on screen. We are excited to chat with Westworld designer Victor Martinez, a concept designer with more than 20 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. His work on Westworld includes the visual design of the show’s autonomous motorcycle, rideshare vehicle, ambulance, and tactical SUV.

Listen to this special holiday #PAVEpanel to explore the creative vision behind Westworld’s autonomous vehicles!
www.instagram.com/victorjmartinez
victor-martinez.com
artstation.com/artist/victormartinez

Drivers who live in cold weather climates learn how to manage snow and ice on the roads – and winter-weather driving is indeed a learned skill. We wondered: how do #AV developers teach cars to handle icy road conditions, particularly when road markings are obscured?

Most AV deployments are in warm weather climates, where clear weather is more common and road surfaces haven’t been battered by ice and salt. We wanted to hear about the unique challenges of operating in cold weather conditions. What are the most difficult challenges to overcome?

In this episode, we will talk to experts from the private and public sector about how they are tackling the challenge of operating #AVs in winter weather. ❄️

Guests:

• Dave Tokic - VP Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, Algolux
• Tara Olds - Deputy Director of Connected and Automated Vehicles Office, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Autonomous trucking has the potential to transform the freight business and solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges like driver shortage, increasing costs, and demand for faster ship times. In this episode, we’ll talk to Kodiak Robotics about their plan to tackle these challenges.
Over the past year, Kodiak has expanded commercial freight operations and forged partnerships with fleet, network and service partners as key efforts towards commercializing the Kodiak Driver as a service solution.
Michael Wiesinger, Kodiak’s head of commercialization, will talk about how Kodiak is collaborating with fleet and service partners to safely deploy and scale self-driving trucks

In this PAVECast, we delve into the relationship between AVs, insurance, and public policy on both sides of the Atlantic. Our experts discuss the evolving landscape of AV technology, as well as its implications for insurers, policymakers, and the public in both the U.S. and the U.K.
Guests include:
Mike Nelson, Founder and Chairman of Quantiv Risk
Russ Galbraith, Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner at the Arkansas Insurance Department
Rebecca Marsden, Vice President of Commercial Finance at Oxa
Tony Cotto, Director of Auto and Underwriting Policy at NAMIC