SAE Tomorrow Today

Hosted by SAE International

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353

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Hosted by Grayson Brulte, SAE Tomorrow Today is a show about emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators, and strategists who make it all happen. As a trusted partner to mobility engineers for almost 120 years, SAE International provides unique and dynamic perspectives from innovative industry leaders on the challenges of tomorrow.

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October 15, 202633 min

354. Standardizing Aircraft Data for Smarter Maintenance

What if every aircraft in a fleet could speak the same data language? Listen in as we sit down with SAE Committee Members Robert Taylor, Senior Solutions Architect at Bell Flight, and Dave Larsen, Senior Technical Fellow, PHM Systems at Collins Aerospace, explore how the AS7140 standard is creating a more unified approach to aircraft health and usage monitoring data. Instead of relying on numerous proprietary formats, AS7140 establishes a common data structure that can make information easier to access, compare, and analyze across platforms. This standardized data can help operators identify potential component failures earlier, shift from unscheduled to preventative maintenance, and improve aircraft availability. Looking ahead to the future, a common foundation for aircraft data could enable more sophisticated AI analysis while expanding beyond rotorcraft to fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and other platforms thus creating a foundation for a more connected aerospace data ecosystem.  We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

October 8, 202634 min

353. How DED is Transforming Aerospace Manufacturing

From rocket engines to aircraft, laser powder directed energy deposition (DED) is turning years of production time into months.   Listen in as we sit down with Tyler Blumenthal, Sales Manager at RPM Innovations, to explore how DED is expanding the possibilities of metal additive manufacturing by using a high-powered laser and metal powder to build components layer by layer. DED can create, repair, and modify large-scale metal parts, opening the door for new possibilities in design and production. The conversation explores how DED can reduce production timelines by 30%, why standards are helping accelerate adoption, and how DED is moving beyond space and defense applications toward broader aerospace and commercial use.   We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.   Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

October 1, 202641 min

352. Convergent Manufacturing: Where AI, Materials and Automation Meet

As manufacturing enters a new era, the smartest solution may not be a better version of what already exists but an entirely new way of designing and building products.   Listen in as we sit down with Clemson University’s Saeed Farahani, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering and founding director of the Convergent Manufacturing Lab, to explore how AI, digital twins, advanced materials, and software-defined automation are reshaping what’s possible on the factory floor.   Farahani explains the emerging field of convergent manufacturing, which brings together different materials, manufacturing processes, robotics, AI, and other technologies to find more efficient solutions to complex engineering challenges.   We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

September 24, 202634 min

351. Built for the Extreme: Shaping Next-Gen Powersports

Off-road vehicles are expected to perform in places conventional vehicles can’t … from frozen tundra and isolated trails to deserts and remote environments. But how do you determine which new technologies will improve the rider experience rather than adopting technology simply because it’s new?   As the global leader in powersports for more than 70 years, Polaris delivers industry-shaping off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, military, quadricycles, and commercial vehicles. Listen in as we sit down with Tony Kinsman, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Off-Road Engineering, to discuss how Polaris is combining mechanical engineering, software, connectivity, and real-world customer insights to shape the next generation of powersports.   The conversation explores advances in suspension and powertrain technology, the growing role of software, and how RIDE COMMAND+ is using connected technology and off-road mapping to change how riders navigate and interact with their vehicles.   We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.   Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

September 17, 202630 min

350. Engineering Mobility Standards in the Age of AI

Emerging technology is reshaping not only what engineers build, but how they build it. From software-defined and AI-powered vehicles to automation and electrification, the role of standards is changing as engineering workflows become increasingly digital, machine-readable, and AI-enabled. To learn how SAE International is navigating this next chapter, we sat down with Reuben Sarkar, CEO, to explore what’s ahead for the 120-year-old organization as automotive, aerospace, commercial vehicles, and advanced air mobility increasingly converge. The conversation explores the importance of lifelong learning, the next generation of engineering talent, and how standards must evolve to keep pace in the age of AI.   We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.   Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

September 10, 202640 min

349. Lessons From a 7,000-Mile EV Road Trip

What does it take to drive an EV across America and back again? A 7,000-mile road trip is a great way to find out. Listen in as we sit down with science-comedian Sophie Shrand, Founder, Cool Jacket Productions and award-winning TV Host of “Science with Sophie”, to discuss The Great American ELECTRIC Road Trip — her exciting journey through 25 states in a Rivian R1S that puts EV infrastructure to the test and leads to unexpected discoveries along the way. From navigating EV charging networks to uncovering surprising economic opportunities, Shrand proves that curiosity and a sense of adventure can create meaningful connections with people from across the country. We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

September 3, 202642 min

348. A Roadmap for Sustainable and Affordable Mobility

The future of mobility may not be about building bigger, more feature-packed vehicles.   Listen in as we sit down with Dr. Christopher Borroni-Bird, Founder, Afreecar Consulting, to discuss his vision for rethinking transportation through right-sized EVs, solar-powered mobility, autonomy, and locally tailored solutions. From fleet electrification and last-mile autonomy to new manufacturing models and the changing economics of vehicle ownership, this conversation explores what it takes make mobility more affordable, sustainable, and accessible around the world.  Learn more in Dr. Borroni-Bird's award-winning SAE International book, Sustainable and Affordable Mobility for All, which expands on these ideas and offers a compelling roadmap for the future of transportation.   We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

August 27, 202642 min

347. When AI is driving, who’s responsible?

Listen in as we sit down with Jennifer Dukarski, Emerging Tech, Media, and Intellectual Property Shareholder at Butzel, to unpack the rapidly evolving legal landscape surrounding SDVs and AVs. From AI decision-making and over-the-air updates to data retention, cybersecurity, consumer education, and the growing complexity of liability, we explore how existing legal frameworks are being tested by next-gen mobility. Whether you're developing autonomous technology, managing risk, or shaping industry standards, this conversation offers an insightful look at the legal challenges that will define the future of transportation. We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

August 20, 202626 min

346. Is Megawatt Charging the Missing Link to EV Scalability?

As electrification expands beyond passenger vehicles to commercial trucks, mining equipment, marine vessels, and even aircraft, the challenge is no longer whether megawatt charging is possible, it's how to scale it safely and efficiently. Fortunately, industry standards are making that future possible.   Listen in as we sit down with Ted Bohn, Principal Electrical Engineer at Argonne National Laboratory and Chair of the SAE J3271 Committee, to discuss the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and how collaboration across industries is laying the foundation for high-power charging that works across multiple transportation sectors. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how standards are developed, tested, and validated, and why scalable charging depends on much more than the connector itself.   Whether you're designing commercial EVs, deploying charging infrastructure, or following the future of heavy-duty Class 8 electrification, this episode provides valuable insight into the technologies and standards that will shape the next generation of mobility.   We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform.   Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

August 13, 202614 min

345. The Power Struggle Shaping Autonomous Trucking

With too many cooks in the kitchen, can innovation ever reach the road? In this Unplugged episode of SAE Tomorrow Today, host Grayson Brulte uses the culinary world as a powerful metaphor to explore one of the autonomous trucking industry's most pressing issues: who gets “veto power”? As startups challenge established OEMs and suppliers, questions around control, competition, and liability are shaping the future of commercial autonomy. Are legacy players protecting safety or their market position? And when disruptive newcomers refuse to back down, who ultimately determines the recipe for success? Tune in for a fresh perspective on the power struggles, partnerships, and industry dynamics that could define the next chapter of autonomous trucking. Have your own thoughts on this topic? We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, questions or ideas for future topics with Grayson on Twitter or send them to podcast@sae.org. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.