S4 · E15
Tuesday · 23 min
How can software benefit chassis innovation? | with Ramiro Gutierrez of ZF
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TG
The Garage by Sonatus
Sonatus
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.
- 21 episodes
- fortnightly
- Avg 22 min
- English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
- TGS4 · E14August 19 · 18 min
Can we future-proof cars with software? | with Chip Goetzinger of AutoMobility Advisors
Recorded live at Auto Tech 2026, this episode features AutoMobility Advisors' Chip Goetzinger discussing the rise of software-defined vehicles, embedded connectivity, and changing OEM-supplier relationships. He also explores emerging automotive trends like vehicle commerce and digital identity, along with insights from his background as an amateur race car driver.
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- TGS4 · E13August 4 · 28 min
How will vehicle experiences evolve with AI? | with Mel Roberts of Stellantis
Recorded live at AutoTech 2026, host John Heinlein speaks with Stellantis's Mel Roberts on how AI and small language models (SLMs) are transforming the automotive user experience. They discuss the strategic deployment of AI in vehicles, focusing on local processing for low latency, predictive maintenance, and balancing physical controls with digital UX design.
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- TGS4 · E12July 21 · 24 min
How does Subaru choose connected services? | with Amy Sgrignoli of Subaru of America
Recorded live at AutoTech 2026, this episode of The Garage features Subaru's Amy Sgrignoli discussing how the brand prioritizes safety and customer experience in connected vehicle technology. Sgrignoli also shares her philosophy on servant leadership and introduces her new podcast, Learn to Lead Differently.
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- TGS4 · E11July 7 · 23 min
How does 500 petabytes make ADAS smarter? | with Nimrod Brickman of Mobileye
Recorded live at AutoTech 2026, this episode of The Garage features Sonatus host John Heinlein and Mobileye VP Nimrod Brickman discussing the evolution of ADAS and autonomous driving technologies. They explore Mobileye's growth into a comprehensive tier-one supplier, its advanced AI approaches, and how the integration of safety-critical features is making autonomous capabilities more accessible for lower-cost vehicles.
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- TGS4 · E10June 23 · 19 min
Autonomous Trucking, Innovation and Fleet Data | with Matt McLelland of Covenant Logistics
Recorded live at ACT Expo 2026, this podcast episode features Matt McLelland of Covenant Logistics discussing how the company evaluates diverse fleet technologies, from autonomous vehicles and electric trucks to data analytics. He highlights practical implementations like electric APUs and shares how combining data sources provides the context needed to proactively improve driver safety and wellbeing.
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- TGS4 · E9June 9 · 21 min
How can commercial fleets benefit from AI? | with Lawrence Bader (Retired UPS)
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.
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- TGS4 · E8May 26 · 22 min
Can vehicle personalization drive loyalty? | with Roger Lanctot of Strategia Now
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 Personalization 1:12 Introducing Roger Lanctot 3:11 Personalization not Monetization 5:23 Engagement Strategies of New Automakers 6:27 Case Study: Chevy Equinox Connectivity Experience 9:57 The Cost of Customer Acquisition and Retention 12:11 Ensuring Privacy 14:47 Emerging Trends in Vehicle Diagnostics 15:45 The Evolution of Usage-Based Insurance 18:43 Real-Time Feedback and Driver Engagement 19:59 The Future of Personalization in Automotive 21:06 Changing the Dealer Engagement Model 22:13 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
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- TGS4 · E7May 12 · 31 min
What's the progress of AI and SDV in 2026? | with Maitê Bezerra of Omdia
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 Meeting 1:29 Guest Introduction: Maitê Bezerra 2:13 Transition from Wards Intelligence to Omdia 4:03 Key Conclusions from the SDV Survey 5:25 Understanding SDV Levels 7:01 Current State of Vehicles on the Road 9:52 Reality Check on Technology Deployment 12:04 Near-Term Future of Technology Implementation 13:01 Diversity of AI Use Cases 15:17 Shifts in Data Monetization Strategies 18:55 Regional Variations in Data Strategy 22:15 The Role of AI in Automotive 26:44 Predictive Maintenance as a Key Focus 30:28 Accessing the Survey Results
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- TGS4 · E6March 24 · 25 min
How are AI and SDVs Reshaping the Supply Chain? | with Derek De Bono of Valeo
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 Vehicles 0:44 Introduction to Derek De Bono 3:48 Overview of Valeo 5:01 Transition to Software Defined Vehicles 7:44 The Role of AI in SDVs 9:03 Collaboration in the Automotive Ecosystem 13:18 Opportunities for OEMs and Consumers 16:11 Revenue Models for Software Updates 20:42 Future Trends in Autonomous Driving 24:52 Conclusion and Closing Remarks
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- TGS4 · E5March 10 · 22 min
How Big Is the Vehicle AI Market—Really? | with Ajit Chander Swaminathan of Frost and Sullivan
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 Guest 0:50 Ajit's Background and Experience 3:36 Overview of Frost and Sullivan 4:36 Research report on In-vehicle and Cloud AI 7:17 Market Outlook for AI in Automotive 8:05 OEM Strategies and Investments in AI 10:00 Emerging Use Cases in Automotive AI 11:59 AI Not Always Driver-Visible 16:13 Future of AI in Automotive and Continuous Improvement 18:13 Sonatus Vehicle AI Products 20:43 Conclusion and Call to Action
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- TGS4 · E4February 24 · 19 min
Can AI Actually Lower Your Car Insurance? | with Michael O'Shea of MOTER
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 2026 0:45 Meet Michael O'Shea 1:10 Michael's Background in Automotive Industry 2:30 Fun Facts and Personal Stories 3:42 Overview of MOTER Technologies 5:27 Innovative Approaches to Usage-Based Insurance 6:58 Addressing Privacy Concerns in Data Usage 8:37 Benefits for OEMs and the Automotive Ecosystem 9:58 Enhancing Brand Loyalty through Technology 11:02 Collaboration with Sonatus and AI Director 14:12 MOTER-Sonatus Case study and Demonstration Insights 16:45 Introducing Drive Sage Coaching Application 17:41 Engaging Younger Drivers with Data Sharing 18:13 Building Trust through Transparency 18:56 Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations
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- TGS4 · E3February 10 · 19 min
How is Machine Learning Reinventing Tire Performance? | with Jeremy Vayssettes of Michelin
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 Innovations 0:47 Introducing Jeremy Vayssettes 2:42 Understanding Michelin's Broader Mission 3:55 The Role of Software in Tire Technology 4:48 AI Innovations in Tire Management 7:54 The Benefits of Smart Sensors vs. AI 9:34 Developing a Comprehensive Tire Digital Twin 12:37 Sustainability in Tire Management 13:50 Collaboration with Sonatus 18:29 Future Prospects and Closing Thoughts
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- TGS4 · E2January 27 · 20 min
How to Maintain Strong OEM-Supplier Alliances | with Augustin Friedel of MHP – A Porsche Company
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-partnerships Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Partnerships in Automotive 0:38 Guest Introduction: Augustine Friedel 3:29 Augustin Friedel on LinkedIn 4:55 The Importance of Partnerships 6:38 Balancing Standardization and Differentiation 7:58 Types of Partnerships in Automotive 9:12 SDV to AI-Defined Vehicle 12:24 Measuring Success in Partnerships 13:53 Partnership Proficiency and Skills 17:18 Risks and Downsides of Partnerships 19:38 Conclusion and Future Outlook
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- TGS4 · E1January 13 · 22 min
How AI Speeds Development at Nissan | with Takayuki Nakamoto of Nissan Technical Center Europe
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 Guest 0:24 Efficiency 1:04 Terry's Background and Experience 3:43 Overview of Nissan Technical Center Europe 6:22 Digitalization Initiative at NTCE 7:26 2026 Nissan LEAF 7:59 Challenges in Vehicle Development 11:20 Improving data collection with Sonatus Collector AI 12:45 Dynamically adaptive data capture 15:21 Data Analysis with Sonatus AI Technician 17:38 Making every engineer an expert with AI 19:37 Efficiency gains in problem diagnosis 21:20 Conclusion and Reflections
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- TGS3 · E16Sep 10, 2025 · 36 min
Vehicle AI: Hype, Reality, and What Comes Next | with Neel Mitra of AWS
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 Class 1:26 Meet Neel Mitra 2:24 Yoga, Hot and Cold 6:25 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) 11:01 What are Large Language Models (LLMs)? 15:24 What is Agentic AI? 19:56 The evolution of AI 21:24 AI applications in automotive 24:11 Sonatus AI Technician 27:28 Sonatus AI Director: In-vehicle Edge AI 30:25 Leveraging sector expertise in AI and data exchange 32:30 Anticipating the future, today 34:04 Using the cloud for digital twin 35:03 Conclusion
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- TGS3 · E15Aug 19, 2025 · 16 min
Can You Engineer a ‘Genius’ RV? | with Marc Fecker of Robo
Our guest today is Marc Fecker, CEO of Robo. Robo is an engineering firm focused on the future of connected transportation. In our conversation, we discussed how Robo worked with Winnebago to deliver their new Winnebago Connect platform, an innovative application of the SDV concept to RVs. Robo was able to deliver a solution that adds value and shows the future of RVs across their Winnebago Connect platform. We also talk about the origins of Robo and the work they're doing in the future. This episode was filmed live at AutoTech 2025 in Novi, Michigan. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to AutoTech Detroit and Robo 0:47 Meet Marc Fecker 2:52 Robo’s Focus and Capabilities 3:27 The Importance of Vehicle Software Technology 4:06 Winnebago Connect Project Overview 5:36 Digital Transformation in RVs 6:02 Personal Connection to RV Innovation 7:07 Future Expansion of Winnebago Connect 7:43 Customizing Software for Diverse Vehicles 8:48 Future Upgrades and Features 10:36 Collaboration with Winnebago 12:08 Challenges in RV Integration 13:27 The Role of Leadership in Innovation 14:21 Robo’s Future Projects and Collaborations
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- TGS3 · E14Aug 12, 2025 · 24 min
What Can Western OEMs Learn from Chinese Carmakers? | with Suat Kusefoglu of Capgemini
In a live recording from AutoTech 2025 in Novi, Michigan, Suat Kasafalou Global Solutions Director from Capgemini shares insights on the evolution of software-defined vehicles and the journey to advanced vehicle technology. Drawing from his two decades of experience, he highlights the evolution in vehicle architectures, such as the shift from discrete ECUs to integrated solutions, emphasizing the importance of managing complexity. The conversation touches on the rapid innovation of Chinese OEMs and the need for differentiation in software offerings to enhance user experiences. Suat also discusses the potential for software-defined vehicles to reach lower price points and the challenges of forecasting future processing power needs. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:48 Meet Suat Kusefoglu 2:32 Overview of Capgemini's Role in Automotive 3:55 Shifts in Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture 5:59 Changing Relationships Between OEMs and Tier 1s 8:30 Learning from Chinese OEMs 13:32 Advice for Starting SDV Projects 16:19 Differentiation Strategies for OEMs 19:18 Cost Considerations in Vehicle Development 22:41 Forecasting Future Processing Needs 23:37 Conclusion
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- TGS3 · E13Jul 29, 2025 · 11 min
Automotive Has a Talent Problem. How Can We Fix It? | with Stephanie May of Women Automotive Network
In a live episode from AutoTech Detroit, Stephanie May, director of the Women Automotive Network, discusses the organization's mission to attract and retain female talent in the automotive sector, which currently sees only 20% of its workforce as women. With 40,000 international members, the network offers mentorship and networking opportunities to combat issues like loneliness and the lack of role models that many women face. The conversation highlights the importance of work-life balance for younger generations and the need for more women in senior roles. Upcoming events, including a collaboration in Mexico City, aim to further engage and empower women in the industry. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:38 Meet Stephanie May 2:38 Overview of the Women Automotive Network 3:21 Current Gender Representation in the Automotive Industry 5:05 Challenges Faced by Women in Automotive Careers 6:42 Women Automotive Network’s Initiatives and Events 9:36 Upcoming Mexico Event 10:26 How to get Involved with the Women Automotive Network
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- TGS3 · E12Jul 17, 2025 · 12 min
What the HECK is a Virtual Sensor (and Why do YOU Want Them)? | with Christoph Loytved of COMPREDICT
Christoph Loytved, product manager from COMPREDICT, describes their innovative virtual sensor technology. Virtual sensors can offer cost reduction and system optimization by using existing data from the vehicle to derive data points instead of needing a dedicated hardware sensor. Christoph describes a number of example applications of virtual sensors and COMPREDICT's progress with investors and commercial adoption. Virtual sensors are an ideal application of the flexibility that software-defined vehicles provide. This episode was recorded live at AutoTech in Novi, Michigan, in June 2025 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to AutoTech Detroit 0:38 Guest Introduction: Christoph Loytved 0:55 Christoph’s Background and Experience 2:25 Overview of COMPREDICT 3:07 What is a Virtual Sensor? 3:58 Applications of Virtual Sensors 5:00 Benefits of Virtual Sensors for OEMs 6:01 Data Utilization in Software-Defined Vehicles 7:07 Market Adoption and Investments 8:34 The Future of Virtual Sensors in SDVs 11:49 Conclusion and Closing Remarks
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