Under The Hood: Automotive Storytelling

Stephane Lagresle

Behind every automotive innovation lies a human story. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, founder of The Storytelling Tribe, this podcast reveals how industry leaders translate complex technologies into compelling narratives. Through conversations with automotive executives, discover practical frameworks for making automotive innovations relatable and meaningful. For executives, product leaders, and marketers transforming mobility through better communication. 

  1. Beyond Commands: When Your Car Learns to Listen - Cerence AI & Microsoft - S2E10

    7h ago

    Beyond Commands: When Your Car Learns to Listen - Cerence AI & Microsoft - S2E10

    with Jan Wehmeyer (Cerence AI) & Frank Kaleck (Microsoft) 🎙️ THE CONVERSATIONAL COCKPIT DECODED In this new episode of "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling", brought to you by The Storytelling Tribe, we sit down with Jan Wehmeyer, VP Account & Business Lead Europe at Cerence AI, and Frank Kaleck, Director Industry Advisory Automotive at Microsoft, inside a prototype car to explore how voice AI is turning the vehicle into an intelligent partner, and the dashboard into a boardroom. 🎯 KEY INSIGHTS Native Voice AI vs. CarPlay: The Data Advantage OEMs Can't Ignore Frank Kaleck reveals why automakers are moving beyond Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for their primary voice layer. It’s because a native assistant gives them something a smartphone mirror never can: real insight into what their customers actually want. That data flywheel is becoming a core competitive asset. The Hybrid AI Architecture Running Inside Your Next Car Jan Wehmeyer unpacks how Cerence AI pairs a Large Language Model (LLM) in the cloud with a Small Language Model (SLM) on-device, creating a system that handles free-form, multi-intent commands without structured syntax and routes sensitive data locally to protect driver privacy, even without connectivity. From One-Size-Fits-All to Market-Specific AI Agents Learn how the combination of Microsoft Azure's regional data center infrastructure and Cerence AI’s dedicated local teams makes it possible to serve fundamentally different user expectations — China's high-context, continuous conversation style versus Europe's preference for brevity — without multiplying vehicle variants or technical complexity. 💡 PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS Lead with use cases, not technology: Before presenting any new capability, anchor it in a specific driver scenario. The technology earns its place once the human problem is clearly visible.Embed cross-partner teams early in the project: Rather than working in sequential handoffs between OEM, Tier 1, and technology vendors, co-locate dedicated agile teams from day one. The speed and alignment gains are substantial.Leverage regional teams early: Cultural differences in how people interact with technology are as significant as regulatory ones. Build regional UX adaptation into the project plan from day one, not as a retrofit.Tailor your AI architecture to your privacy constraints: Not every function needs the cloud. Identifying which capabilities can run on-device reduces data exposure and builds driver trust. 🌟 ABOUT YOUR GUIDES Jan Wehmeyer brings nearly a decade of experience building Cerence AI's commercial presence across Europe, having joined the company through its Nuance Communications Automotive roots in 2015. He is currently VP Account & Business Lead Europe, a role focused on translating voice AI capability into OEM partnerships at scale. Frank Kaleck has spent fifteen years at Microsoft watching the company transform from a Windows and Office provider into the cloud backbone of the automotive industry. As Director Industry Advisory Automotive, he works directly with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to build vehicle experiences and enterprise-grade in-car productivity on top of Microsoft Azure. Ready to hear what the car of tomorrow actually sounds like? "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    55 min
  2. Wiring the Future: Inside Valeo's Electrification Revolution - Claudine Rochette S2E10

    May 15

    Wiring the Future: Inside Valeo's Electrification Revolution - Claudine Rochette S2E10

    THE EV REVOLUTION DECODED In this new episode of "Automotive Storytelling", brought to you by The Storytelling Tribe, we sit down with Claudine Rochette, VP of Strategy and Communication at Valeo's Power Division, bringing over 20 years of experience at the heart of automotive electrification. From relaunching France's first EV ecosystem project in 2009, to leading global strategy across motors, power electronics, and thermal management, Claudine unpacks what the electric revolution truly looks like from the inside, and why she has always believed the shift is irreversible. Key insights Valeo's answer to the hidden range killer Claudine reveals how winter heating can cut an EV's range in half, and how Valeo's heat pump technology recovers over 25% of that lost range by managing electrical, mechanical, and thermal energy as one integrated system. The rare earth problem nobody is talking about Over 90% of today's electric motors depend on rare earth magnets sourced predominantly from China. Valeo's collaboration with Mahle on a brushless, inductively excited motor cuts the motor's carbon footprint by 40% while breaking the supply chain dependency. Software never stops: the SDV lifecycle revolution The software-defined vehicle has fundamentally changed development timelines. Valeo now maintains and upgrades motor software up to 15 years post-start of production, enabling OTA performance gains long after the car leaves the factory. Practical takeaways Reframe range anxiety: The biggest EV performance gap is the energy management across electrical, mechanical, and thermal vectors combined.Follow the TCO story: Valeo's data shows EVs already outperform ICE on total cost of ownership. That’s a narrative the industry still hasn't pushed loudly enough, especially in commercial vehicles and trucks.Think B2B2C: Winning EV adoption means teaching dealers how to teach customers. The technology story only lands when the full chain understands it.Stay agile: That’s Claudine's #1 storytelling advice. In a market shaped by geopolitical shocks, regulation U-turns, and technology disruption, adaptability is the only constant. About Claudine Rochette Claudine brings over 20 years of dedicated automotive experience, starting as an engineer at Johnson Controls on engine management systems before joining Valeo in 2005. She led the relaunch of France's national EV ecosystem in 2009 and has held senior leadership positions across electrification strategy ever since. As VP of Strategy and Communication for Valeo's Power Division — the company's flagship entity combining powertrain and thermal systems — she sits at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and market narrative. "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    52 min
  3. From Seatbelts to Robotaxis: Europe's Autonomous Awakening - Charlotte Eisner, Bolt - S2E09

    Apr 30

    From Seatbelts to Robotaxis: Europe's Autonomous Awakening - Charlotte Eisner, Bolt - S2E09

    THE LUCKY CLOVER DECODED In this captivating episode of "Automotive Storytelling" brought to you by The Storytelling Tribe, we sit down with Charlotte Eisner, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Bolt, co-chair of ECAVA (EU Commission), and strategic advisor on automated transportation to the NATO Science & Technology Organization, to explore how Europe is building its own autonomous mobility future, and on its own terms. 🎯 KEY INSIGHTS Europe vs. the World: Slow Is Not Behind  Charlotte reveals why Europe's rigorous three-layer approval approach (product safety + process safety + operational safety) is not a weakness, and why nobody, including Waymo, has actually cracked commercial-scale deployment yet. The "Blank Paper" Imperative  Discover why retrofitting Level 2 ADAS vehicles for Level 4 autonomy is a dead end, and how the engineering lesson from Bolt's Zicur experience demands starting from scratch to build vehicles that truly support autonomous drive systems. The Lucky Clover Strategy  Learn how Bolt's four-leaf framework — private ride-hailing, B2G municipality services (hospital rides, disabled transport, late-night safety), B2B partnerships, and public transport integration — is designed to make robotaxis a civic asset, not just a tech product. 💡 PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS Anchor your story in the past: Tailor your narrative to the lived experience of each audience — cities, OEMs, municipalities — before introducing disruption.Know your "two-brain" problem: When bridging legacy automotive and new autonomy systems, recognize that evolution alone will not get you to Level 4. Rethink from zero.Reframe "behind" as "rigorous": Europe's approval requirements create a defensible moat — the first player to clear them will have a durable European-scale advantage.Design for the streaming generation: Today's riders don't want to own. Build services, not products — and price against the true cost of car ownership (100% cost, 2–5% utilization). 🌟 ABOUT YOUR GUIDE Charlotte Eisner brings over 15 years of experience at the intersection of electrification, autonomy, and European mobility strategy. Born into a family of automotive engineers in Gothenburg — her grandfather co-developed the Volvo three-point seatbelt — she brings a rare legacy of safety-first innovation to the frontlines of Level 4 deployment. After roles at Scandinavian Airlines, management consulting, and co-founding ventures, she re-entered automotive via the EV wave, led business development at Zicur, and now drives strategic partnerships at Bolt, where she is building Europe's answer to Waymo. "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    54 min
  4. I talk to 5 AV Experts at Tech.AD 2026: GenAI, Homologation, and much more - S2E08

    Apr 24

    I talk to 5 AV Experts at Tech.AD 2026: GenAI, Homologation, and much more - S2E08

    Autonomous systems work, but proving they function safely across thousands of edge cases has become the defining challenge of our time. Instead of celebrating software milestones, the industry is slamming into a homologation wall, realizing that legal liability and digital validation are the true bottlenecks preventing autonomous deployment. Coming to you from the floor of Tech.AD Berlin 2026, this special dispatch brings together five engineering and strategic leaders: Pierre Vincent and Emmanuel Follin (ANSYS/Synopsys), Gordon Köfner (Cadence/VTD), José Rui Simões (Critical Software), and Khaled Alomari (MHP). With these experts, we talk about the increasing complexity that automated and autonomous driving bring to an already complex SDV world, and how homologation and testing are at the center stage. 🔍 In this episode, you will: ▶ Discover how generative AI shrinks complex test scenario creation from three weeks down to minutes.  ▶ Navigate the radical shift from traditional Tier 1 waterfall dynamics to a smartphone-like partnership model.  ▶ Understand why digital homologation and unresolved legal liability remain the ultimate autonomous deployment gatekeepers.  ▶ Learn how to avoid brute-force validation by targeting only the meaningful scenarios that add true engineering value. This expert panel features technical leaders who have successfully architected advanced simulation toolchains, deployed safety-critical embedded systems, and structured complex OEM partnerships globally. Together, they are building the critical infrastructure required to test physical AI and bring certified autonomous vehicles onto public roads. "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    24 min
  5. The Foundation Layer: John Wall, President of QNX - S2E07

    Apr 10

    The Foundation Layer: John Wall, President of QNX - S2E07

    THE INVISIBLE ENGINE DECODED In this new episode of Automotive Storytelling, brought to you by The Storytelling Tribe, Stéphane Lagresle sits down with John Wall, President of QNX, the safety-critical operating system running silently inside over 275 million vehicles worldwide. From a one-click download for students to the beating heart of BMW's Neue Klasse, John reveals how the most important software in your car might be invisible - for now. KEY INSIGHTS The "Rounding Error" Paradox: working in the shadows can be an advantage John Wall reveals how QNX grew its global automotive business while BlackBerry wasn't watching, operating as a "rounding error". It gave Wall the autonomy to work with his team tirelessly on his vision. The "Free Puppy" Fallacy: Rethinking the Open Source vs. Commercial Debate  Discover how QNX is threading the needle between open-source accessibility and commercial accountability with its QNX Everywhere initiative. Hear Wall’s position on this topic and what “free” really means. Physical AI and the Next Frontier: From Tip of the Spear to Platform of the Future Learn why Wall sees automotive as the proving ground for every other mission-critical industry, and how QNX is positioning its deterministic, safety-certified RTOS as the foundational layer for the physical AI revolution in robotics and industrial automation. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS Listen to customers: After COVID, Wall personally travelled the world to talk to customers. "We can't find engineers who know QNX." That listening tour created QNX Everywhere.Measure yourself against the best: QNX benchmarks every performance metric against Linux, not other RTOSes — always calibrate ambition to the market leader, not your nearest competitor.Name the integration tax: Wall's breakthrough with Vector on Alloy Kore came from naming what OEMs were silently bleeding — identifying the hidden cost your customer can't articulate is the foundation of a winning partnership narrative.Stability enables innovation: As Wall frames it, the reason Apple's app ecosystem thrives is that iOS isn't rewritten every year. The same logic applies to automotive software — OEMs can't differentiate on top of a foundation that keeps shifting. ABOUT YOUR GUIDE John Wall brings over 32 years of experience at QNX, where he has held virtually every engineering role before rising to President in November 2025. A Carleton University electrical engineer who turned down multiple exits to stay the course, he led QNX's automotive pivot through the Harman and BlackBerry eras, championed the hypervisor and QNX Everywhere against internal resistance, and secured the landmark BMW Neue Klasse partnership. BlackBerry's chief legal officer has called him "the real heart and soul of the QNX business". "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    50 min
  6. How Dolby and HARMAN Engineer the Soul of Your Car - S2E06

    Mar 27

    How Dolby and HARMAN Engineer the Soul of Your Car - S2E06

    In this captivating episode of "Automotive Storytelling", we sit down with two of the most influential figures in automotive audio: Andreas Ehret, Sr. Director Automotive at Dolby Laboratories, and Greg Sikora, Executive Director of Acoustic Systems and HALOsonic Engineering at HARMAN International. Together, they pull back the curtain on how sound becomes a core dimension of the driving experience. KEY INSIGHTS The Five-Year Integration Challenge: Early Involvement is Everything: Discover why premium audio systems require involvement as early as the body-in-white stage, sometimes 3-5 years before production.  Branding through sound: Greg uncovers how HARMAN engineers a distinct sonic identity for each luxury brand — from Bang & Olufsen in Audi to Mark Levinson in Lexus — with a global team of 120 acoustic specialists. The future of in-car audio: Both guests explore how software-defined vehicles, personalization, and spatial audio are converging to make the car the world's most intimate listening space. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS Know your acoustic canvas: Understand that every car model is a unique acoustic environment demanding bespoke tuning, not off-the-shelf solutions.Bridge format and experience: Immersive audio formats only deliver value when the underlying hardware and tuning are aligned from the start of a program.Leverage brand sound as a differentiator: OEMs that invest in a consistent sonic identity build stronger emotional loyalty among drivers.Equip for Software-Defined Evolution: Design audio systems with over-the-air update capability to enable tuning refinements, new features, and continuous value creation post-purchase.ABOUT YOUR GUIDES Andreas Ehret brings 18+ years at Dolby Laboratories, with roots in audio coding research at Fraunhofer IIS — the birthplace of MP3. He now leads Dolby's automotive push, championing Dolby Atmos Music as the definitive in-car listening format. Greg Sikora has spent 20 years shaping how the world's finest cars sound, leading acoustic engineering for brands including B&W, Bang & Olufsen, JBL, and Harman/Kardon across customers from BMW to Ferrari. He is also an active PhD researcher at McGill University. "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    50 min
  7. MWC 2026 Bonus Episode - Trustonic interview with Andrew Till

    Mar 19 ·  Bonus

    MWC 2026 Bonus Episode - Trustonic interview with Andrew Till

    🎙️ Bonus | MWC 2026 – Andrew Till, Trustonic  Recorded live at Mobile World Congress 2026, this bonus episode features Andrew Till, General Manager of the Secure Platform Division at Trustonic — a company that has been quietly powering automotive security for years, and is now stepping into a new role: trusted advisor to OEMs navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Andrew makes a small but telling observation early in the conversation: the industry stopped talking about supply chains and started talking about ecosystems. That shift, he argues, changes everything: from how security is architected, to how fast a vehicle can go from concept to launch, to why Chinese automakers are moving at a speed that's forcing the rest of the world to pay attention. A grounded, big-picture conversation on where the automotive industry's mindset is actually headed. "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    6 min
  8. MWC 2026 Bonus Episode - SoundHound AI interview with Andrew Richards

    Mar 18 ·  Bonus

    MWC 2026 Bonus Episode - SoundHound AI interview with Andrew Richards

    🎙️ Bonus | MWC 2026 – Andrew Richards, SoundHound AI Recorded live at Mobile World Congress 2026, this bonus episode gives you the full conversation with Andrew Richards, VP at SoundHound AI — one of the most advanced voice AI platforms deployed in production vehicles today. In just a few minutes on the show floor, Andrew unpacks a lot: the debut of SoundHound's Vision AI in Europe (yes, your car can now answer "what's that building?"), the real-world mechanics of Edge vs. Cloud arbitration, and why the future of in-car AI isn't about beating Apple or Google — it's about orchestrating alongside them. He also reflects on something every driver has felt: the frustration of a car that just didn't understand you. That era, he says, is over. What's next is far more interesting. A sharp, honest conversation from the heart of MWC 2026. "Under the Hood: Automotive Storytelling" uncovers the human narratives driving innovation in an industry that impacts lives worldwide. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, this podcast explores how the power of storytelling ultimately connects technology to humans.

    8 min
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About

Behind every automotive innovation lies a human story. Hosted by Stéphane Lagresle, founder of The Storytelling Tribe, this podcast reveals how industry leaders translate complex technologies into compelling narratives. Through conversations with automotive executives, discover practical frameworks for making automotive innovations relatable and meaningful. For executives, product leaders, and marketers transforming mobility through better communication. 

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