Episodes
51
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
The Garage Podcast from Sonatus brings you conversations with thought leaders from around the vehicle technology space discussing far-reaching topics about software innovation in vehicles. These episodes will include industry experts, whether from Sonatus, or from our amazing partners across the industry, all of whom will share their Ideas and their outlook for the most important topics in vehicle technology. Episodes span from more technical topics, to business evolution, and market trends. Join us and learn about the future of vehicle in The Garage.
Recorded live at ACT Expo 2026, host John Heinlein interviews former UPS fleet manager Lawrence Bader on the evolution of fleet technology, including keyless systems, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and autonomous trucking. Bader emphasizes that to remain competitive, fleets must start small, iterate quickly, and integrate technologies across all operational departments.
In this podcast episode recorded live at the COVESA meeting, host John Heinlein interviews Roger Lanctot about how the automotive industry can leverage vehicle data to transition from a B2B to a B2C model, prioritizing driver personalization over data monetization to enhance customer engagement and loyalty.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Vehicle Data and Personalization1:12 Introducing Roger Lanctot3:11 Personalization not Monetization5:23 Engagement Strategies of New Automakers6:27 Case Study: Chevy Equinox Connectivity Experience9:57 The Cost of Customer Acquisition and Retention12:11 Ensuring Privacy14:47 Emerging Trends in Vehicle Diagnostics15:45 The Evolution of Usage-Based Insurance18:43 Real-Time Feedback and Driver Engagement19:59 The Future of Personalization in Automotive21:06 Changing the Dealer Engagement Model22:13 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
In a live recording from COVESA all-member meeting in Porto, Portugal, John and Omdia analyst Maitê Bezerra discuss the 2026 SDV survey, which reveals the industry expects to reach SDV level 3 by 2030. Key findings highlight a shift toward data-driven value creation and predictive maintenance, though organizational readiness still lags behind technology deployment by several years.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to COVESA Meeting1:29 Guest Introduction: Maitê Bezerra 2:13 Transition from Wards Intelligence to Omdia4:03 Key Conclusions from the SDV Survey5:25 Understanding SDV Levels7:01 Current State of Vehicles on the Road9:52 Reality Check on Technology Deployment12:04 Near-Term Future of Technology Implementation13:01 Diversity of AI Use Cases15:17 Shifts in Data Monetization Strategies18:55 Regional Variations in Data Strategy22:15 The Role of AI in Automotive26:44 Predictive Maintenance as a Key Focus30:28 Accessing the Survey Results
In this episode of The Garage podcast recorded live at CES 2026, host John Heinlein interviews Derek De Bono, Vice President of Software Defined Vehicles at Valeo, a major tier one automotive supplier. The conversation explores how software defined vehicles (SDVs) are transforming the automotive industry, moving beyond simply adding more software to creating a holistic system approach that decouples hardware and software. Derek discusses Valeo's 90-year evolution from mechanical systems to leading innovation in electrification, lighting, and autonomous driving systems. The discussion covers how SDVs enable vehicles to evolve with their owners through over-the-air updates, feature-on-demand capabilities, and continuous improvements through AI and machine learning. They explore the changing relationship between automakers and suppliers, moving from hierarchical structures to partnership ecosystems. Derek shares insights on the future of autonomous driving, predicting level 3 autonomy before 2030, and discusses how software updates are becoming more frequent, with some manufacturers pushing hundreds of updates per year. The conversation touches on business model implications, including whether new features should be revenue-generating or loyalty-building, and how SDVs can improve vehicle resale value and reduce costs through simplified wiring harnesses and fewer controllers.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Software Defined Vehicles0:44 Introduction to Derek De Bono3:48 Overview of Valeo5:01 Transition to Software Defined Vehicles7:44 The Role of AI in SDVs9:03 Collaboration in the Automotive Ecosystem13:18 Opportunities for OEMs and Consumers16:11 Revenue Models for Software Updates20:42 Future Trends in Autonomous Driving24:52 Conclusion and Closing Remarks
In this podcast episode, filmed at CES2026, Ajit Chander, Associate Partner and Mobility Practice Leader at Frost and Sullivan, discusses a comprehensive research report analyzing the impact of cloud and edge AI in the automotive industry with host Dr. John Heinlein, Chief Marketing Officer, Sonatus. The conversation covers key findings from their analysis, including market projections showing AI automotive spending growing from $48 billion in 2025 to $238 billion by 2030, representing a portion of the overall $500 billion software-defined vehicle market. Chander explains emerging AI use cases in vehicles including prognostics, usage-based insurance, sensor virtualization, and edge cybersecurity. The discussion highlights how AI can be deployed on existing vehicle hardware without requiring advanced processors, providing immediate cost savings and new revenue opportunities for OEMs. Specific examples include virtual sensors that can replace physical components like IMUs, saving $20 per vehicle in bill of materials costs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of end-to-end AI lifecycle management and positions Sonatus as a key enabler for achieving AI and software-defined vehicle objectives in the automotive industry.Frost and Sullivan report "In-Vehicle Edge and Cloud AI at Scale": https://www.sonatus.com/resources/in-vehicle-edge-and-cloud-ai-at-scale/Chapters:0:00 Introduction to the Guest0:50 Ajit's Background and Experience3:36 Overview of Frost and Sullivan4:36 Research report on In-vehicle and Cloud AI7:17 Market Outlook for AI in Automotive8:05 OEM Strategies and Investments in AI10:00 Emerging Use Cases in Automotive AI11:59 AI Not Always Driver-Visible16:13 Future of AI in Automotive and Continuous Improvement18:13 Sonatus Vehicle AI Products20:43 Conclusion and Call to Action
This episode from CES 2026 features Michael O'Shea, CTO and COO of MOTER Technologies, discussing the company's approach to usage-based insurance through in-vehicle AI deployment. MOTER Technologies, backed by a major Japanese insurance company, places software directly in vehicles to analyze sensor data and generate fair driver risk scores while maintaining privacy through edge computing. O'Shea explains how their collaboration with Sonatus AI Director enables standardized deployment of their lightweight AI models across different vehicle platforms, benefiting drivers through potentially lower insurance costs, OEMs through revenue sharing and customer loyalty programs, and insurance companies through more accurate risk assessment. The conversation covers the evolution from traditional OBD dongles and smartphone apps to sophisticated in-vehicle systems that provide contextual understanding of driving behavior. O'Shea also discusses their DriveSAGE coaching application that provides feedback to help drivers improve their safety scores, emphasizing the importance of transparency and customer consent in data usage.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to MOTER Technologies and CES 20260:45 Meet Michael O'Shea1:10 Michael's Background in Automotive Industry2:30 Fun Facts and Personal Stories3:42 Overview of MOTER Technologies5:27 Innovative Approaches to Usage-Based Insurance6:58 Addressing Privacy Concerns in Data Usage8:37 Benefits for OEMs and the Automotive Ecosystem9:58 Enhancing Brand Loyalty through Technology11:02 Collaboration with Sonatus and AI Director14:12 MOTER-Sonatus Case study and Demonstration Insights16:45 Introducing Drive Sage Coaching Application17:41 Engaging Younger Drivers with Data Sharing18:13 Building Trust through Transparency18:56 Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations
In this podcast episode recorded at CES 2026, Jeremy Vayssettes, Chief Technology Officer for Tire Digital Twin at Michelin, discusses how the company is expanding beyond traditional tire manufacturing into AI-powered software solutions. Jeremy explains Michelin's innovative tire digital twin technology, including SmartWear and SmartLoad algorithms that monitor tire condition in real-time using existing vehicle sensors without additional hardware. These models enable predictive maintenance, helping fleets optimize tire replacement timing, reduce costs, and improve safety. The conversation covers how the technology integrates with ADAS systems to provide better grip prediction and vehicle performance optimization throughout the tire's lifecycle. Jeremy also discusses Michelin's partnership with Sonatus, which uses the Sonatus AI Director infrastructure to scale these solutions across different vehicle manufacturers. The episode highlights the sustainability benefits of the technology, and how AI can help extend tire life while maintaining safety and performance.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Michelin's Innovations0:47 Introducing Jeremy Vayssettes2:42 Understanding Michelin's Broader Mission3:55 The Role of Software in Tire Technology4:48 AI Innovations in Tire Management7:54 The Benefits of Smart Sensors vs. AI9:34 Developing a Comprehensive Tire Digital Twin12:37 Sustainability in Tire Management13:50 Collaboration with Sonatus18:29 Future Prospects and Closing Thoughts
In this episode of The Garage podcast, recorded live at CES 2026, host John Heinlein interviews Augustin Friedel, Associated Partner for Software Defined Vehicles at MHP - A Porsche Company. Augustine shares insights from his extensive study 'The Power of Partnerships' and discusses why partnerships have become critical for success in the automotive industry's transformation. The conversation covers Augustin's diverse background from mechanical engineering to startups like Uber Germany, and his current role helping automotive companies navigate connected vehicle solutions and AI integration. They explore different types of partnerships, from enterprise IT to product partnerships, and discuss how companies can measure partnership success through KPIs like speed to market, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction. Augustin emphasizes that no OEM or supplier can handle the complexity of software-defined and AI-defined vehicles alone, making partnerships the key differentiator. The discussion also covers partnership risks, cultural alignment challenges, and how companies can develop better partnership proficiency. Throughout the conversation, they highlight how AI is expanding across vehicle subsystems and requiring new approaches to data management and infrastructure partnerships.Augustin Friedel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/friedel/The Power of Partnerships study: https://www.mhp.com/en/insights/what-we-think/the-power-of-partnershipsChapters:0:00 Introduction to Partnerships in Automotive0:38 Guest Introduction: Augustine Friedel3:29 Augustin Friedel on LinkedIn4:55 The Importance of Partnerships6:38 Balancing Standardization and Differentiation7:58 Types of Partnerships in Automotive9:12 SDV to AI-Defined Vehicle12:24 Measuring Success in Partnerships13:53 Partnership Proficiency and Skills17:18 Risks and Downsides of Partnerships19:38 Conclusion and Future Outlook
Recorded live at CES 2026 at the Sonatus booth, host John Heinlein interviews Takayuki 'Terry' Nakamoto, Director of Electrical, Electronics, and ADAS Engineering Department at Nissan Technical Center Europe. The conversation explores how NTCE develops vehicles manufactured in the UK for global markets and discusses the challenges of traditional vehicle development processes that rely heavily on physical vehicle testing. Terry explains how their partnership with Sonatus is revolutionizing their approach through two key AI solutions: Sonatus Collector AI, which enables remote data access and customizable data collection policies, and Sonatus AI Technician, which provides expert-level diagnostic guidance. These tools are helping Nissan reduce development time, minimize the need for expensive preproduction vehicles, and accelerate their start-of-production (SOP) cycles while maintaining quality standards. The interview showcases real demonstrations of the technology and highlights the significant time and resource savings achieved through this digital transformation approach.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest0:24 Efficiency1:04 Terry's Background and Experience3:43 Overview of Nissan Technical Center Europe6:22 Digitalization Initiative at NTCE7:26 2026 Nissan LEAF7:59 Challenges in Vehicle Development11:20 Improving data collection with Sonatus Collector AI12:45 Dynamically adaptive data capture15:21 Data Analysis with Sonatus AI Technician17:38 Making every engineer an expert with AI19:37 Efficiency gains in problem diagnosis21:20 Conclusion and Reflections
Neel Mitra, the Worldwide Solutions Architecture Leader for Data and AI at AWS, discusses the evolution and applications of AI in the automotive industry. He highlights the transition from classic AI to large language models and agentic AI, emphasizing their potential to enhance vehicle diagnostics and performance. With over twenty-one years of experience, Neel shares insights on the importance of data integration and collaboration in optimizing automotive technology. He notes the growing trend of software-defined vehicles and the need for continuous learning through MLOps. The conversation underscores the significance of AI in transforming automotive systems and the benefits of these technologies. The conversation touches on Sonatus AI innovations such as Sonatus AI Director, a new solution for in-vehicle edge AI, and Sonatus AI Technician, which uses LLM's to provide a better diagnostic experience.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Neel Mitra and AI Master Class1:26 Meet Neel Mitra2:24 Yoga, Hot and Cold6:25 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)11:01 What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?15:24 What is Agentic AI?19:56 The evolution of AI21:24 AI applications in automotive24:11 Sonatus AI Technician27:28 Sonatus AI Director: In-vehicle Edge AI30:25 Leveraging sector expertise in AI and data exchange32:30 Anticipating the future, today34:04 Using the cloud for digital twin35:03 Conclusion
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Jeremy Snyder
Richey Malhotra
Drive Electric Alabama
Proxify
Rupa Singh
The National Academy of Sciences
