Ride AI by Micromobility Industries Oliver Bruce and Horace Dediu

The latest Ride AI podcast episode features Stefan Seltz-Axmacher, the former founder of Starsky Robotics and current founder and CEO of Polymath Robotics, discussing his experiences in the self-driving truck industry. Stefan reflects on the challenges faced by Starsky Robotics, particularly the overconfidence in machine learning and the belief in a one-size-fits-all solution for autonomy, and how this experience informs Polymath Robotics, his new venture focused on building a generalized navigation layer for off-road vehicles.




Stefan reflects on the history of self-driving trucks and the challenges faced during his time at Starsky Robotics, including the overconfidence in machine learning and the misconception that data collection alone would lead to successful autonomous driving.


He highlights the difficulty in raising funds for a more focused approach compared to competitors' broader promises.


Stefan discusses the need for a more grounded understanding of robotics and AI, emphasizing the importance of addressing specific problems rather than chasing general solutions.


Polymath Robotics aims to democratize automation by reducing the upfront costs and complexity, allowing smaller players and seed-funded startups to compete effectively.


Stefan emphasizes the parallels between the evolution of the automotive and smartphone industries, indicating a similar maturation process in robotics hardware.

On the latest episode of the Ride AI podcast, our host Ed Niedermeyer talks to Tyson Jominy, VP of Data & Analytics for J.D, Power, about the recent dynamics in the car market. They touch on COVID, the EV market, the prospect of another truck/SUV slowdown, and how these are all related.


Discussion on the cyclicality of the auto industry and recent turbulence due to COVID-19: undersupply situation, excess savings leading to increased demand, and supply chain disruptions.


Pricing dynamics in the EV market: oversupply of EVs in the $50-60k price range leading to price cuts.


Fleet sales and their impact on EV market dynamics, including potential risks to resale value and pricing stability (Hertz struggled with high repair bills and consumer dissatisfaction with EV rentals, prompting them to unwind their EV-focused strategy.)


Tesla's decision not to pursue a low-cost model raises questions about the industry's focus and the challenges of making EVs profitable.


The auto industry seems to be retreating to familiar corners, like focusing on SUVs, hybrids, and high-margin segments, rather than investing heavily in lower-cost EVs.


EVs face challenges in consumer perception and understanding of total cost of ownership, compared to hybrids, which have been around for a while but still face low adoption rates.


The auto industry's struggle to make EVs profitable raises concerns about the future of EV adoption and the profitability of traditional segments like trucks and SUVs.


There's uncertainty about the trajectory of EV adoption and whether there will be a "EV winter" where growth stalls.


Regulatory factors still incentivize automakers to invest in EVs despite profitability challenges.

This week’s episode of the Ride AI podcast is a mind-meld between automotive analyst Ed Niedermeyer and tech-innovation scholar Horace Dediu about why the car industry is ripe for disruption. Their conversation is a reflection on the transformative power of past innovations like computers and phones, and the need to imagine a better future for mobility.  Together they discuss: 


The concept of unbundling the car for different trip types and purposes, similar to computing devices


Observation that the world seeks to improve cars, but they are already highly optimized


Critique of current approaches by companies like Tesla and Apple, which aim to fit new technologies into the existing car model


Emphasis on the need for truly disruptive innovation in mobility, either through cheaper, more accessible options or new directions of competition


Discussion on the potential for self-driving technology to transform mobility by enabling new experiences and connections


Examinations of the challenges of building an EV that is both cheap and has extensive battery range


Why investors are over-focused on cars as a platform at the expense of other autonomous driving use-cases, like agriculture, defense, and transit. 



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For the inaugural episode of the new Ride AI podcast, author and analyst Ed Niedermeyer discusses the hype and disillusionment surrounding several new mobility technologies—namely autonomous vehicles—with Mike Ramsey, a vice president at Gartner. Ramsey explains the five parts of a hype cycle, including the innovation trigger and the trough of disillusionment, and provides historical analysis for where he believes autonomy is today on the road to mass adoption.


Ed and Mike discuss the concept of the five-part "hype cycle" in technology adoption: innovation trigger, peak of inflated expectations, trough of disillusionment, slope of enlightenment, and plateau of productivity.
The "slope of enlightenment" is explained as the phase where technologies become useful and start to see real-world applications.
Autonomy in vehicles, while not profitable yet, is advancing (especially in robotaxis)
Meanwhile autonomous technology is diffusing into other industries like agriculture, mining, and construction, where simple design domains allow for easier implementation.
Despite challenges, significant investment in autonomy has advanced technologies like vision systems and edge AI.
The hype surrounding autonomy is similar to that of other emerging technologies like generative AI, which may have significant impacts but will likely manifest in smaller, more practical applications initially.
Media attention tends to focus on hype, but the most significant advancements often occur quietly, requiring deliberate effort to discover and understand.

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Leading up to Micromobility Europe, James Gross talks the state of micromobility in Europe with Prabin Joel Jones, Founder and CEO of Mayten along with Augustin Friedel, Senior Manager, MHP – A Porsche Company who is sharing his personal views on the podcast.

Topics Discussed:

Shared and Owned Micromobility

Prabin takes us through the Tier and Dott merger:


Tier/Dott deal 
Background of the deal
What the deal is
Challenges in merging
Where can they go from here
What does this mean for the industry?

Augustin predicts continued consolidation in the shared mobility space, with potential mergers or acquisitions among companies like Bold, Lime, and Voi. Prabin critiques Bolt's strategy and their future as the next Uber.

Augustin also spoke about the struggles of owned ebike companies and the shift towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and AVs to enhance customer experience and safety.

Software Defined Vehicles, AI and Regulation

Augustin elaborates on Europe's position on AVs, noting a lag compared to the US and China due to a lack of investment and no existing tech giants.

The potential for software-defined vehicles to improve user experience and safety, but recognizing Europe's fragmented approach to AVs and mobility tech.

How government and local authorities could play a more significant role in advancing AVs and shared mobility through funding and regulatory support.

Augustin speculates about Europe's potential to catch up in the AV space by pooling resources from major automotive players and focusing on local mobility solutions.

Safety is discussed as a primary concern for micromobility users, with different European cities showing varying degrees of progress in creating safe infrastructure for cyclists and scooter users.

Despite the challenges faced by shared mobility and AVs, there's optimism about the future, with emphasis on the need for innovation, better regulation, and strategic investments.

The discussion concludes with a call for continued exploration and improvement in the mobility space, acknowledging the long journey ahead but recognizing the opportunities for impactful change.

Trends to watch:

- Software-Defined Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence

- The Role of Government in mobility investments and Regulation

- Safety and Infrastructure

Apple is reportedly exiting the car industry, focusing instead on software and mobility services. The company's decision is driven by the challenges and complexities of the automotive industry, including high costs, long product cycles, and difficulty in making significant contributions. Apple's future in mobility may lie in micromobility and smart accessories for vehicles.

🚗 Apple's decision to exit the car industry is not surprising given the challenges and complexities associated with building and selling cars. The company's strengths lie in software and user experience, which may be better applied to mobility services and smart accessories for vehicles.

📱 The smartphone is already a powerful tool in the car, with features like Apple CarPlay allowing users to integrate their phone's apps and functions into the vehicle's infotainment system. Apple's focus on privacy and AI could enhance the smartphone's capabilities and create unique mobility experiences.

💡 Apple's decision to pivot away from the car industry and explore opportunities in micromobility aligns with the broader trend of urbanization and the growing demand for sustainable transportation options. By focusing on smaller, more agile vehicles, Apple can address the needs of urban dwellers and contribute to the future of mobility.