Archives

AMA at Auto Tech: Detroit 2023

Bridging the long gap between CES 2023 and CES 2024, AutoTech Detroit marks a productive halfway point through the year for the automotive industry to showcase their latest advances and outlooks in automotive technology.

AMA at Auto Tech: Detroit 2023

Bridging the long gap between CES 2023 and CES 2024, AutoTech Detroit marks a productive halfway point through the year for the automotive industry to showcase their latest advances and outlooks in automotive technology. Attended by nearly 2500 industry professionals, 250 exhibitors, dozens of speakers, and 850 companies, AutoTech found itself to be a bustling hub for business discussions, collaboration, and planning for the future. The showing was impressive this year, continuing to prove that the want and need for trade shows was not  killed by virtualization born from the Covid-19 pandemic.With such a focused gathering of automotive technology suppliers and OEMs, the content and business of the show was dominated by a few major themes. Coming up constantly across the panels from many experts ranging from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T executives, to senior business development leaders across the major OEMS, connected cars and the future of connectivity took center stage during the show. Beginning the show with a bang, AT&T and safety solutions provider Haas Alert announced that cellular data used to provide vehicle safety features would be free in order to facilitate further advancements in safety oriented connectivity. Marking a major shift from prior policies, the cooperation between a major service provider and safe-software suppliers will open up a vital opportunity for cost-effective development of cutting edge safety features as further regulations are placed on OEMs both in the United States and abroad. Interestingly, these safety features are applicable beyond in-car use, additionally being able to communicate with pedestrians and warn of oncoming traffic or other hazards. Linking the two groups in such a way could drastically reduce the number of accidents between cars and pedestrians, saving countless lives on a yearly basis. Connected car was presented as an answer to the next generation of questions concerning the safety of drivers and passengers of the newest personal vehicles.  Moreover, AI based algorithms for insurance, condition monitoring, and emergency services were presented by OEMs and suppliers as accurate solutions for some of automotive technology’s most pressing issues. A speaker from Mercedes-Benz USA informed listeners at a June 7 panel that an onboard analysis of ADAS incidents could be used to notify authorities in an event of an emergency such as a driver seizure. Other companies like MOTER Technologies presented the ability to create advanced driver behavior based insurance in real time using edge processing in order to process data at the car, transmitting less data from the car, saving cost and mitigating privacy issues at the same time. MOTER is the first company to obtain approval for this form of high-tech driver’s insurance in the US, so a revolution in affordable insurance is on the cusp of taking the industry by storm. Topics covering the connected car’s efficacy and benefits took up a significant amount of AutoTech’s bandwidth, making clear to manufacturers and suppliers where the future of the auto industry lies.   Beyond the importance of safety, software defined vehicles were a preeminent topic examined by almost all attendees across the show floor. Industry experts noted repeatedly that software within vehicles is coming to define the consumer experience, and that customers are demanding more and better software-based features out of their cars. Some questions continue to surround the method of entertainment for owners of EVs at charging stations, in which they may find themselves needing to be occupied for one to two hours while their car recharges. For example, BMW recently announced a partnership with AirConsole that allows driver’s of their vehicles to play a collection of curated video games while they wait for their EV to charge, by using their Smartphone as a game controller. https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=8564693891085967291&li_theme=light Further, new methods of bundling entertainment as OEM controlled subscriptions were floated by panelists from automakers and major studios, perhaps opening the gate to significant changes to the way content is viewed by the driver and passengers in a car. Similarly, as the debate around the future of AM and FM continues to divide the automotive world, up and coming audio services sought to make their mark and move in to snap up the market share of in-vehicle audio listeners. AutoTech presented the reality of the entertainment space as a crucial piece of the software puzzle for OEMs, one which had to be answered well enough to meet the consumer’s growing needs. Like CES in January, AutoTech was an environment of businesses coming together to present real solutions to current problems. AutoTech proved that the auto industry is actively making the leap into next generation connected car and software defined vehicle technology. Business models continue to evolve, and the breakneck pace of development was spurred on by the myriad of ready-for-market services and innovations covering all facets of the market from insurance to in-car entertainment. The excitement and importance of the AutoTech Detroit event on the calendar should not be underestimated, allowing industry professionals the opportunity to easily peer into the future of tomorrow’s automotive world today.

Dan Teeter moderates a panel discussion on “Expectations of Vehicle Connectivity in a Rapidly Evolving World” at Auto Tech: Detroit

On Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 I attended a great panel discussion at Auto Tech: Detroit on “Expectations of Vehicle Connectivity in a Rapidly Evolving World”. Industry experts Dan Teeter, Advisory Director of AutoMobility Advisors; Greg Geiselhart, VP of Sales and Marketing of WirelessCar and Denise Barfuss, Senior Manager, Marketing & Operations, Connected Vehicles, Nissan Motor Corporation shared their insights. Stephen Bell, Chief Analyst of Connectivity at Wards Intelligence, skillfully moderated the discussion. The panel explored challenges, opportunities, and the impact of vehicle connectivity on the automotive industry. Topics discussed included advanced connectivity features, AI and machine learning, privacy, and security considerations, and the potential of connected vehicles. Well attended and overall a great discussion. All gained valuable insights into the future of vehicle connectivity.

NYC Auto Show 2023

AMA Featured Event NYC AUTO SHOW 2023 The New York International Auto Show 2023 The New York International Auto Show 2023 was an exciting event for car enthusiasts from all over the world. We had the opportunity to attend the show, and it was a great experience. We were able to witness the unveiling of some of the most anticipated electric vehicles in the market, including the 2024 EV Jeep Wrangler and the 2024 EV Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. The unveiling of the 2024 EV Jeep Wrangler, was one of the most anticipated cars at the show. The new electric Jeep Wrangler is an impressive vehicle that combines the classic look of the Wrangler with a powerful electric drivetrain. The new Wrangler is also equipped with advanced features like regenerative braking and a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. We were all impressed with the Jeep’s new design and capabilities, and we couldn’t wait to test drive it in the future. Another electric car that caught our attention was the 2024 EV Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. The new Subaru Crosstrek is designed for off-road adventures, and it is the perfect car for those who love to explore the great outdoors. The Crosstrek Wilderness is equipped with a powerful electric drivetrain that provides a range of over 300 miles, making it perfect for long road trips. The car is also equipped with a number of advanced features, including a terrain management system, hill descent control, and more. Another car at the show was the Disney-branded Hyundai Ioniq 5. This electric car is a collaboration between Hyundai and Disney, and it features a unique design that is inspired by the famous Mickey Mouse character. The Ioniq 5 is also equipped with advanced features like wireless charging and a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. The car is perfect for families who want to enjoy a fun and eco-friendly ride.   Not to be missed, Nintendo, the famous video game company, teamed up with Toyota to create a vehicle that is designed specifically for gaming on the go. The car itself is based on an existing model but has been modified extensively to include a built-in Nintendo Switch console and a variety of other features that make it the ultimate gaming vehicle. So fun! Overall, the New York International Auto Show 2023 was an amazing experience. We had the opportunity to see some of the most innovative and exciting electric cars on the market, and we were impressed with the advanced technology and design features of each vehicle. We look forward to seeing these cars on the road in the near future, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the electric vehicle industry.     NADA 2024 CES 2024 AutoTech Electrification 2023 MOVE America 2023 Auto Tech: DETROIT 2023 NYC Auto Show 2023 Ducati 2023 NAB Show 2023 CES 2023 Next >Close NADA 2024 CES 2024 AutoTech Electrification 2023 MOVE America 2023 Auto Tech: DETROIT 2023 NYC Auto Show 2023 Ducati 2023 NAB Show 2023 CES 2023 Let us help you succeed in AutoMobility! Edit Template Contact Us Today Name Email Message Send Edit Template Get to Know Us About Our Team Consulting Services Events AMA News Get the AutoMobility Roadmap Newsletter White Papers & Reports AMA Thought Leadership Let’s Connect Contact Us Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on YouTube Copyright @2024 AutoMobilityAdvisors, All Rights Reserved. Edit Template

The Weakest Link

This is part two of a three part series on the development of EVs and their supporting infrastructure in the United States. It is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In terms of the transition away from internal combustion engines towards electric vehicles, charging stations are the said “weakest link.” As essential as gas stations used by their ICE counterparts, EV charging stations are a fast developing but greatly lagging piece of the EV adoption puzzle in the United States. According to the White House in February, there are currently about 130,000 charging stations across the country which service three million or so EVs. Five years ago, the number was a little over half of that. While growing steadily for the last 10 years, the need for car charging stations is on the cusp of an explosion. The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) actively encourages and incentivizes the mass adoption of both light EVs and medium/heavy duty commercial EVs, which will require significantly more powerful and larger charging stations. If the US is to expect tens of millions of new light EVs, medium duty EVs, and heavy duty EVs to hit the road by 2030, substantial steps need to be taken to make sure that there are enough charging stations to meet the massive demand.  https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=7033500277189233670&li_theme=light The first step will be to provide funding for companies to build the required number of charging stations to meet this demand. S&P Global, a NYC based financial analytics company, estimates that by 2027, the United States will need 1.2 million level 2 chargers and 109,000 level 3 chargers to meet the EV electricity demands. This is a stark increase from current capabilities, and at an estimated need of a 10 to 1 ratio of EVs to charging stations, it will take quite some time to reach these goals. Fortunately however, the Biden administration just this past week announced that over $2.5 billion in funding will be made available to local, city, and county governments for the express purpose of building more EV charging stations and expanding the availability of chargers to underserved areas. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in the White House press release that “extending EV charging infrastructure into traditionally underserved areas will ensure that equitable and widespread EV adoption takes hold,” and will ensure “that charging stations more visible and accessible in our communities addresses the concerns many American drivers have when considering making the switch to electric.”  So already, steps are being taken in the right direction to meet infrastructure demands.  https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=8836377427900808895&li_theme=light The second step for EV charging will be to fix the chronic reliability issues that plague the current charging network. According to a J.D. Power study and recently reported by Automotive News, between Q1 2021 and Q3 2022, failed charging attempts rose from 15% to 21%, and in the last year, nearly 2 in 5 charging attempts were unsuccessful. If the average American is expecting to be able to rely upon an EV to get them from point A to point B, a near 40% failure rate to “refuel” their car will not be sustainable. Reasons for these failures can include out of service chargers, vandalism, software problems, and payment processing issues. These errors are partially caused by the volume of traffic received by each station, with some stations having nearly no downtime at all because of availability issues. This creates a vicious cycle in which there are not enough charging stations, so the ones that do exist are strained to the point where they break, therefore causing less charging stations to be available overall, and so on. To fix the overall problem, some of the resources dedicated to building the new charging stations need to be used to shore up the already existing charging infrastructure dotting the US.  https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=9178542192637438259&li_theme=light The EV charging station situation is not optimal or perfect by any means, but when a revolutionary new technology enters the market, there are always bound to be some bumps along the road towards implementation. Continued investment from private companies and at all levels of government will be required to fix the problems outlined above, but fortunately great funding and emphasis is already being put into this widely acknowledged problem. The goal of the US government is to create a seamless transition to EVs in which charging a car has the same level of convenience as filling a car up at a gas station, and by dedicating a combined total of $7.5 billion to doing so, it shows that the necessary funding and support exist to make it a reality. Stay tuned in two weeks for Part 3 of AMA’s story on the development of EV infrastructure in the United States. Learn more about how the AutoMobility Advisors team can help you and your business seize the amazing opportunities to serve the new mobility market. Click on the link below and get in touch, we’d love to talk with you! #evcharginginfrastructure #evcharging #ev #electricvehicles #futuremobility #newmobility #connectedvehicles #digitaltransformation #AutoMobility Advisors

AutoMobility Advisor visits 2hire in Rome!

AutoMobility Advisor’s Dan Teeter, Hayden Teeter and family recently had the opportunity to visit one of our clients, 2hire, at their headquarters in Rome, Italy. As a leading technology company in intelligent and connected mobility solutions, 2hire is dedicated to creating a connected world by connecting vehicles, bridging them with services and people. This mission aligns perfectly with AutoMobility Advisor’s focus on providing innovative solutions to their clients in the automotive industry. Dan and Hayden’s visit provided a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of 2hire’s operations, as well as to build stronger relationships with the company’s leadership team. One of the highlights of Dan’s visit, was the great insight into the innovative technology solutions 2hire is developing, the company’s commitment to sustainability, and the ways in which they are building a strong company culture. AutoMobility Advisor is working with 2hire to help them achieve their goals and make a positive impact on the world. Overall, Dan and Hayden Teeter’s visit to 2hire’s headquarters provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of intelligent and connected mobility solutions. Here at AutoMobility Advisors are proud to be part of the innovative work being done by 2hire, and hope to inspire others in the industry to embrace new technologies and work towards a more connected, sustainable future.

Cars and Copper

This is part one of a three part series on the development of EVs and their supporting infrastructure in the United States. The automotive industry of the 21st century is experiencing a paradigm shift across all facets of vehicle production, distribution, maintenance, and consumer experience. Gas and internal combustion engines are no longer the sole method of powering automobiles. In fact, their long reign of dominance in the automotive market seems to be on the way out. In its place, EVs have exploded forth as an alternative capable of saving the environment through zero emissions and smart technology. Dedicated EV producers, led by Tesla, have gained substantial market share over the last five years, while long established OEMs like GM, Hyundai, VW, and Toyota have started to roll out brand new EVs at a breakneck pace. As EVs continue to gain ground, and with the introduction of medium and heavy duty commercial EVs to the market, the capacity for electrical charging will need to increase rapidly and efficiently in order to meet the ever increasing demand for electric vehicles. As this demand grows and more charging stations are built, a fundamentally important question must be addressed: how will the US power grid be able to keep up with and sustain America’s future power needs?  Currently, only a minority of the total automotive market share is occupied by electric vehicles. A variety of news organizations including the New York Times and Automotive News  reported that as of last year, only about 1% of the total cars on the road in the US were electric vehicles, and in 2022 made up a 7% of all new car purchases.  Despite these relatively small numbers, there have been a number of incidents in which the electrical grid has struggled to support the charging demands even from existing electric vehicles. During a heatwave in California last September, grid operators advised customers to not charge their EVs in the evenings in order to avoid an overload of the grid. So we see that already problems have begun to surface in the power industry’s ability to keep up with demand, especially during times of inclement weather. As EVs continue to eat up more and more market share, incidents like what happened in California will become more widespread without major improvements to the power grid. https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=6925531279594137372&li_theme=light Another, and perhaps more arduous issue facing the American electrical infrastructure is the coming launch and mass marketization of larger commercial EVs. The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law last August, and the bill laid out enormous incentives for the mass adoption of medium duty and heavy duty EVs (over 14,000 lbs). With a $40,000 tax credit available for all medium and heavy duty EVs, the miniscule market share currently occupied by these vehicles is projected to take off by the end of the decade. While substantially cleaner for the environment than their diesel and gasoline counterparts, these kinds of vehicles also demand significantly more energy to go the same distance as a lighter passenger EV. The energy usage for medium and heavy duty EVs is between 0.5 and 5.2 kWh per mile, while light EVs consume 0.2 – 0.4 kWh per mile. In 2022, over four million semi-trucks were operated in the US alone, excluding all other types of medium and heavy duty vehicles. It isn’t hard to imagine that an already beleaguered electrical grid will noticeably struggle to provide enough power for four to five million new EV semi-trucks, let alone all of the other segments of the market.  https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=7258730335952157014&li_theme=light However, these power concerns are not insurmountable. The Wall Street Journal reported in an article last month that the 2.1 million EVs on the road in 2021 only required 0.2% of the total electricity consumed for the entire year. It is not likely that the US power grid will be able to stay ahead of demand to such an extent as EVs shift towards a dominant position in the automotive market, but with such a head start, the problem is certainly not unsolvable. Continued investment in optimizing clean energy, nuclear power, and upgrading electrical infrastructure across the country will ensure that power needs are met 24/7. These upgrades are essential to ensure the solvency of the nation’s power grid as it grapples with the rise of EVs, but the next step requires thorough examination, expansion, and further investment in the powerpoints themselves. Part 2 of AMA’s EV story will dive into the progress, flaws, and necessary actions needed to shore up one of the most essential components of the United States’ switch to electric vehicles: EV charging stations Learn more about how the AutoMobility Advisors team can help you and your business seize the amazing opportunities to serve the new mobility market. Click on the link below and get in touch, we’d love to talk with you! https://www.linkedin.com/embeds/publishingEmbed.html?articleId=7797880136967695981&li_theme=light Read the latest AutoMobility Roadmap here and subscribe today. #evinfrastructure #electricvehicles #evcharging #newmobility #futuremobility AutoMobility Advisors

Chip Goetzinger Joins AutoMobility Advisors as Solutions Director

Experienced Connected Vehicle and Technology Professional Focuses on Mobility Start-ups and Automotive Clients By: Automobility Advisors, Llc Chip Goetzinger AMA Solutions Director MARIETTA, Ga. – Feb. 27, 2023 – PRLog — AutoMobility Advisors is pleased to announce that Chip Goetzinger is joining the growing automotive boutique consulting firm to help apply his years of experience for its clients as Solutions Director. Chip has worked in Silicon Valley, was a founding member of the Nissan Connected Services team in North America, and went on to lead Sirius XM’s Connected Vehicle Services group for many years. Based in Nashville, TN, Chip is now ready to help AutoMobility Advisors (AMA) and its growing list of clients further develop and expand their own business in connected vehicles, and navigate the choppy technical waters needed to implement winning customer solutions. AMA has grown dramatically in the past year, and now serves many young start-ups, some mid-size, and even large companies operating in the automotive connected and mobility space. Chip joins Dan Teeter, AMA Advisory Director, and George Ayres, AMA Managing Director as they work together to provide more value for clients. “I’m really excited to be working with AutoMobility Advisors in this new role, helping organize new solutions and technical approaches for mobility start-ups and automotive technology providers,” said Chip. “And I am glad to be working with George, and with Dan again, as we create new opportunities for our clients within the new mobility landscape. A lot of things are changing fast, from electrification, to the digital implementation of new services, and our clients need solid advice and counsel to make the most of this new world,” he added. George Ayres said, “I’m really happy to announce that Chip is joining our growing firm. He and I have known each other for many years, and his technical ability to help our clients is tremendous. They will quickly see how Chip can help them grow their own business faster too.” Learn more about how the team at AutoMobility Advisors can help your business create new opportunities within the automotive industry at www.automobilityadvisors.com ContactGeorge Ayres***george@automobilityadvisors.com

An Automobility Start-up from ITALY!

Innovation and technological development in the automotive industry is a global phenomenon. Companies hailing from all over the world create and invent revolutionary products and services, driving the advancement of technology forward at a breakneck pace. Hailing from Rome, Italy, 2hire, an auto mobility company specializing in car sharing, rental, and connected services, is one of these global innovators. Founded in 2015 as a moped-sharing company for students of LUISS University in Rome, 2hire has humble beginnings. The company quickly became something more though, transitioning from focusing solely on scooters to connected vehicles in 2016. CEO and Co-Founder Filippo Agostino, COO, and Co-Founder Elisabetta Mari, and Head of Product Design Giacomo Agostino describe this transformation the best: “The 2hire team is composed of tech experts who have a strong background in the communication protocols of vehicles. Our team was originally founded with the mission of bringing shared and sustainable mobility to the city of Rome through the launch and operation of an electric moped-sharing service. However, over time, we have pivoted towards developing the technology that supports these types of services. Our approach is software-based, which sets us apart from our competitors and allows us to offer a hardware solution that is easy to install and customizable for each mobility operator’s specific needs.”  By 2017, 2hire had rolled out a brand new prototype device that was able to remotely lock and unlock the doors of a Fiat 500L. Securing multiple investments from venture capitalist firms, 2hire was able to turn this prototype piece of hardware into a universal device and launched an API layer named the “Adapter,” which would become the foundation of their business, and allowed them to take the company international. Less than two years later, 2hire was providing mobility services to vehicles and companies in Italy, Spain, France, and across South America. Driven by a relentless passion for sustainable technology, the 2hire team took a small startup firm and turned it into a rapidly growing global presence. When asked what motivated them to push through the trials and tribulations of being a startup, Filippo, Elisabetta, and Giacomo asserted that they “have always been interested in the mobility industry and saw a significant need for innovation in the car rental and fleet management space. The idea of helping people move more efficiently and sustainably was very appealing to us, and we saw a huge opportunity to make a difference in this industry.” Now in the first quarter of 2023, 2hire is as ambitious as ever. Thus far, the company’s technology has received widespread acclaim in Europe and South America. With over 15 million cars that can access the company’s services across 100 cities in 23 countries, it is no surprise that their technology is known for saving time and operational costs due to its ability to provide innovative solutions that help mobility providers in the car rental, peer to peer car sharing, car sharing, and fleet industries. With all of these successes in Europe and South America, 2hire is making the leap into the North American market with the aim of becoming an essential partner for mobility providers as they transition towards fully connected fleets (i.e. rental cars, delivery vans, corporate vehicles).  Recently, Filippo, Elisabetta, and Giacomo traveled from Italy to Boston and Atlanta to showcase their technology to potential partner companies. With this trip to the United States, it’s clear that 2hire is ready to take the next step in expanding their business to an even larger international market. Having interests expressed in this technology by OEMs, major rental car companies, and car sharing platforms, 2hire demonstrates their ability to provide bona fide seamless integration solutions between service providers and connected vehicles while also supporting automotive companies in making their cars easily accessible to a growing ecosystem of digital service providers.  From here, 2hire can only go up as they gain traction and secure partnerships in the United States.  Taking a business from a small startup composed of college friends to a global company doing business with Fortune 500 corporations is no small feat. When asked for advice on lessons for other startup companies in the mobility space, the 2hire team shared three key pieces of guidance: For more information on 2hire’s technology and business, visit their website and LinkedIn page. Information on Filippo, Elisabetta, Giacomo, and the other members of the 2hire team can be found on each of their LinkedIn pages.  And you can learn more about how the AutoMobility Advisors team works with companies like 2hire and can help you and your business seize the amazing opportunities waiting for innovative companies ready to serve the new mobility market. Click on the link below and get in touch, we’d love to talk with you!