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There Auto Be A Law (Center for Auto Safety)

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
08 Aug 2024Driving the Future: The Rocky Road of Autonomous Vehicles01:04:26

Hey Listeners,

How do we feel about bullet points? This week we cover topics like...

  • Update on the ARC airbag recall implicating 50 million airbags with defects, leading to potential ruptures;
  • Tesla's reporting on Autopilot crashes and the WSJ's great investigation;
  • Data privacy issues with car companies like GM, who sell user driving data.;
  • The financial math behind the autonomous vehicle industry;
  • Recalls and more;

This weeks links:

27 Mar 2025Ask a Canadian with George Iny00:55:41

This week we are joined from Canada by George Iny from the Automobile Protection Association. George let's us ask all of our Canadian focused questions and we compare and contrast the difference between auto safety standards. And have you heard of public auto insurance? Why can't we have that in the US? Lastly, the Cybertruck is still garbage.

This week links:

20 Jun 2024Road to Safety: Waymo Incidents and Dangerous Intersections01:07:36

Waymo issued a recall after a RoboTaxi crash into a telephone pole. We delve into the complexity of validating software updates for autonomous cars and how Waymo is gaslighting us. IISH has a survey showing driver support for anti-speeding technologies. Fred shares safety tips for proper seating in vehicles, emphasizing the importance of seatbelt use and correct seating positions. Plus self driving cars in China and recalls.

This weeks links:

05 Dec 2024Partially Automated Failings and Remote Controlled Robo-Taxi's01:01:13

This episode delves into the effectiveness of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in keeping drivers engaged, the risks posed by partial automation, and the need for regulatory oversight. We highlight issues with Tesla's approach to autonomous driving, including its reliance on remote operators. Recalls for vehicles from Pagani, GM, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche are discussed, emphasizing ongoing problems like water intrusion and rearview camera failures. The episode closes with listener mail addressing seatbelt comfort for short women and a general call for improved vehicle safety features.

Links:

05 Oct 2023A five foot comfort alligator01:10:08

Why not have a five foot comfort alligator? GM funds Kyle's $2 billion a year comfort corporation. Speaking of Kyle this week one of his Cruise vehicle ran over a lady and parked on her leg but he still thinks any criticisms of his company are sensationalistic and if we keep doing it he's going to take his ball and go home. The Teamsters are asking NHTSA to send him to his room without dessert and not allow his Cruise robots to be exempted from federal safety guidelines, Hyundai/Kia's are still being stolen, some good news on traffic fatalities and some bad news on pedestrian fatalities, plus Fred tries to clear up confusion around GPS.

This weeks links:

04 Aug 2022Rats ate my car! And the dangers of giant SUVs00:40:05

Rats and rodents are eating the electrical wires in cars. Is it the soy based insulation? The spray from that sweet nectar anti-freeze? Or are rats always gonna rat?

Additionally, we discuss the dangers of SUV frontover blind zones. It's a horrible design flaw that leads to injury and death that can be easily fixed.

23 Nov 2023Thanksgiving driving and goodbye to Kyle01:06:40

Fred is off this week but Michael and I push on. Did you know that driving on Thanksgiving is more dangerous than driving on the mad shopping day of Black Friday?

The NTSB suggests that NHTSA make ISA a thing. Gotta love those acronyms. Basically one safety regulator is asking a different safety regulator to put in a system to alert drivers that they are going to fast. Speaking of NHTSA for 50 years they've not delivered on a seat back safety standard that would prevent passengers in the back seat from getting crushed by the front seats.

We bid adieu to tech-bro Kyle Vogt formerly of GM Cruise as he got to resign instead of being fired. We'll miss his hubris.

Listeners let us know if you've ever had to speed in an emergency.

This weeks links:

30 Jan 2025AEB works today, traffic cameras and a collander for your car?01:05:06

Hi folks,

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and its impending regulations is our first topic. AEB works but the industry shill fights against it. Subaru gets hacked (and they are tracking you), traffic cameras in NYC reveal some marital issues, Vietnam and Norway have excessive (?) but interesting (?) fines for traffic violations and recalls.

Donate to keep the show going.

This weeks links:

26 Sep 2024Driving Concerns: Chinese Software in American Cars01:08:59

Highlights:

  • The Biden administration's policy on limiting Chinese and Russian vehicle technology to protect U.S. data, and the general challenges in tracing vehicle components' origins.
  • The DHS warns about counterfeit airbags.
  • Anthony calls BS on Sam Altman
  • Michael tells CarMax they are responsible for recalls
  • Fred points out flaws in Torc Robotics and explains GPS

This weeks links:

25 May 2023NCAP update, GM goes big, AM radio frightens Fred and Operation Cave Bear01:04:58

NHTSA updates their new car assessment program to take pedestrians into account. Fred explains why simulations are not enough to make Autonomous Vehicles road worthy. Nearly half of all vehicle passengers killed on U.S. roads in 2021 were not wearing a seat belt. An update on the Hyundai/Kia/TikTok car theft problem. GM thinks a massive EV Escalade is a good idea. French Canadians are charging extra if your weighs too much (see: GM EV Escalade). AM radio is still a thing... that gives Fred nightmares. Plus Recall Roundup.Mentioned Links:

18 Aug 2022Is it a car or a computer with wheels?00:50:59

The dangers and benefits of over the air software updates, regression testing, Tesla's crashing into emergency vehicles and listener mail.

29 Aug 2024Data-driven Insights with QuantivRisk’s Mike Nelson01:04:32

This week we are joined by Mike Nelson, chair and founder of QuantivRisk, a risk management and technology company. The discussion focuses on QuantivRisk's innovative approach to analyzing vehicle data and video to objectively assess automotive accidents. This episode covers the challenges of defining and litigating safety in the context of ADAS and autonomous vehicles, particularly the complexity involved in evaluating AI decisions during accidents.

This weeks links:

25 Jul 2024Navigating the Future: Autonomous Cars, Safety Regulations, and Consumer Trust01:09:26

The dangers of capacitive controls, seatback safety standards, the nonsense spewing from Elon Musk, the FCC toying with us over V2X and GM Cruise continues to gaslight General Motors. Plus we discuss the importance of robust software testing.

This weeks links:

27 Jun 2024The Battle Over Automatic Emergency Braking01:07:45

The Auto Industry is once again against safety and is fighting NHTSA on Automatic Emergency Braking rules. Specifically the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and John Bozzella, for claiming new AEB rules are 'impossible' to implement while also admitting that they are in use today. Michael takes apart ARK Investments for their ridiculous take on Telsa and we delve into recalls with another entry from a Tesla CyberTruck.

This weeks links:

30 Nov 2023A hippo on wheels is probably safer than a Cyber Truck01:04:37

Cars keep getting heavier and heavier and the laws of physics stay the same. This week the CyberTruck is finally, maybe, let loose on the world. This is another ginormous vehicle that weighs too much and it doesn't care. Anthony learns, again, that most cars are never crash tested, used car dealers can sell cars with known recalls, GM Cruise gets one more nail in it's coffin and Fred reads us stories of turkeys stuffed with candy. It's fun one.

This weeks links:

25 Aug 2022Reckless pandemic driving00:46:37

Did the pandemic make drivers more reckless? Getting the finger because 70mph is too slow, Do you like the thrill of imminent death? Try full self driving. These topics and more along with listener mail.

18 Jan 2024A smorgasbord of safety00:57:30

You try to come up with clever titles each week. Sometime they work and sometime they are a, "smorgasbord of safety".

We discuss some extra CES goodies, thermal cameras, AEB, driving simulators for teens and rats. Fred discusses a recent Microsoft paper(pr?) on using AI to find better battery chemistry.

This weeks links:

14 Sep 2023Self Driving Semi's and your car is peeping on you01:05:41

The House had a hearing on Self Driving Semi's and 3 out of 4 panelists thought it was a really swell idea and could you please write laws that make it best for our bottom lines? GM Cruise tries Nashville and claims that NHTSA has approved it's ugly car without controls, Mozilla finds out that your car is getting every bit of your intimate details, a school bus safety bill final moves ahead, Fred takes on listener mail around EV's and emissions and recalls.

This weeks links:

22 Aug 2024What's leaking under the hood? V2X, Recalls, and Safety.01:08:04
  • A follow up on honking Waymo's
  • Will V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) happen?.
  • The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium lacks consumer and academic vetting in their recommendations for automated vehicle safety.
  • Software stress testing
  • Recalls from Ford and BMW

This weeks links:

03 Oct 2024Full Self Driving leads to Dangerous Complacency01:09:35

Hello listener. Here are some highlights from this weeks episode:

  • NHTSA is making GM Cruise submit a report of it's software updates every 90 days. Anthony suggests NHTSA ask for the commit logs and other developer documentation so they don't get gaslit.
  • Tesla's FSD requires a human to do the full self driving part.
  • Consumer Reports looks at the CyberTruck and they think visibility sucks.
  • Kia gets hacked and provides a good example of bad cybersecurity in the auto space.
  • Fred explains latency and it's got nothing to do with lace or lattes.
  • plus recalls and more

This weeks links:

06 Mar 2025Tarrifs, Chinese AV regulations and road safety01:00:19

How will tariffs affect auto industry safety? Less new car sales equals less newer safety tech on the road. China is enforcing tighter controls on over-the-air (OTA) updates compared to the U.S.'s 'wild west' approach. Plus a flying car, a cybertruck that wants to die and recalls from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

This weeks links:

11 May 2023Right to Repair or pleasure to be charged01:04:37

Your car is a computer on wheels that the auto manufacturers won't let you repair. Apple co-founder says Tesla is an example of AI that is trying to kill you. Waymo doesn't understand road flares, Cruise blames their safety driver, something called a Fred light plus Recall Roundup and the Consumer Autonomous Vehicle Bill of Rights # 12.

Mentioned links:

01 Feb 2024Do neural networks get distracted?01:04:32

No idea and we don't directly address that question. Instead we discuss how you'll never know what goes on inside the "mind" of the AI. Plus GM Cruise releases a report that says they failed because they think they are better than regulations and regulators, distracted driving is on the rise. elderly drivers consider signing advanced directives for their kids to take away their license and Telsa keeps calling cruise control "full self driving".

This weeks links:

04 Apr 2024Backseat safety with Dr. Emily Thomas01:03:33

This week Dr. Emily Thomas from Consumer Reports joins us to discuss backseat safety. Did you know that there is technology to remind you not to leave your kids in the car? And it's not standardized or required, Dr. Thomas walks us through the tech, the safety of car seats and how Consumer Reports conducts testing for these items. It's a good one.

This weeks links:

27 Feb 2025What's the difference between Waymo and the Titanic? 01:04:14

This week we discuss recent layoffs at NHTSA, Fred compares Waymo to the Titanic, Renault releases a fire fighting tool for EV's and recalls.

Support the show.

This weeks links:

06 Jun 2024The South will crash again... and again00:59:55

Mississippian Michael Brooks faces the fact that more car crashes happen in the South. But the data is a bit suspect as Massachusetts seems not to live up to it's reputation. Also Japanese automakers Toyota, Mazda, and Honda mishandling vehicle safety tests. This week Fred examines Tesla’s ambitious yet problematic GigaCasting manufacturing process and its implications on vehicle safety and repair costs. The hosts conclude with several nominations for 'Gaslight of the Week' and discuss the rising concerns over automated driving technology and vehicle manufacturing shortcuts that impact safety. +1 if you could tell that the last sentence was written by AI.

This weeks links:

07 Mar 2024Pushing buttons01:10:46

Touch screen or physical buttons that go click? This is the new Pepsi challenge. Where are you? Odds are if you are here than you like the buttons. So do we. This week we start off with a story about how the Europeans are going to ding manufacturers for hiding features behind a touch screen. Telsa decided to go even further and remove turn signal stalks, the Biden administration talks about cyber security for your car, Waymo takes to LA and a thief tries to take a Waymo, it's "recall week" at NHTSA, Fred explains flying cars and we cover some recalls.

This weeks links:

13 Jun 2024Waymo Woes, Police Chases and Gaslighting00:59:23

This weeks we start with rising trends in high-speed police chases resulting in crashes and deaths, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations on when such pursuits should occur. We critique European vs. U.S. safety standards and explore advanced technology such as 'license plate trackers' and police tools for remotely stopping cars. Gaslight section covers criticisms of companies like GM Cruise and Waymo. Plus recalls.

This weeks links:

28 Mar 2024Dash Cam Time Sink01:03:33

Oh the joys of dash cams... remember just because you're the one filming doesn't mean that you're not int he wrong. Should you get one? Listen and find out. GM stops selling your data, Elon forces everyone to experience FSD, the solar eclipse might lead to more crashes, and New Jersey is trying to exempt all of their drivers from automated traffic enforcement.

This weeks links:

29 Feb 2024How do I drive this rental car? Plus FSD fail and how hybrid's work.01:16:57

This week Anthony deals with rental cars, the Washington Post investigates Tesla, Fred explains hybrids, Michael provides more detail about Ford airbag non fixes and more.

This weeks links:

01 Jun 2023The Large Foot Persuasion01:04:56

Is height-ism a thing? Fred thinks it. Tesla opens their superchargers to Ford, NHTSA tells them to stop with the videogames, a whistleblower explains the lies around Tesla Full Self Driving (still not a thing), Fred explains synthetic oil, quizzes the non-scientists and shares his Woodstock 1969 experience. Put on your seatbelts cause this is a fun one.

09 Mar 2023Loose Steering Wheels01:02:10

NHTSA is taking advice from Anthony and investigating Zoox. GM complains about boogeyman burdensome regulations for their AVs and their marketing department creates a silly name for a good start at improving on ADAS features. Americans are "fearful" and concerned about Automated Vehicles. USPS cuts costs by neglecting safety. Waymo releases a transparency report that is unparalleled in the industry. Plus the Tao of Fred and Recall Roundup.

Mentioned Links:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2023/INOA-AQ23001-2603.PDF

https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/02/ford-forms-automated-driving-subsidiary/

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/3/23624328/ford-self-repossessing-car-patent-connected-car-nightmare

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gms-cruise-focus-cost-cuts-it-ramps-up-robotaxis-2023-03-07/

https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/7/23627656/gm-ultra-cruise-sensor-radar-lidar-hands-free

https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/03/aaa-fear-of-self-driving-cars-on-the-rise/

https://saferoads.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Advocates-Caravan-AV-Poll-Report-.pdf

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trucks-mail-violate-safety-rules-deadly-crashes-8b9a4c92

https://storage.googleapis.com/waymo-uploads/files/documents/safety/Safety%20Performance%20of%20Waymo%20RO%20at%201M%20miles.pdf

15 Dec 2022Too much fake shift00:49:18

Lexus and Hyundai are into fake shift, IIHS updates their crash test for EV's and back seat safety, Michael and Fred suggest that infrastructure can make us safer, people get high in order to drive drunk, another Takata death and recall roundup.

Please support us if you can.

21 Nov 2024Elon's Escape Room: Can You Get Out of a Flaming Tesla?01:04:35

Topics:

  • Kudos to NHTSA for NCAP improvements;
  • Frowns to Ford for recalls;
  • New DOT secretary;
  • Will Washington rubber stamp all of Elon's dreams?
  • Tesla drivers are dangerous;
  • Tesla's will trap you in a fire;
  • Renewable natural gas explained;
  • Recall roundup;

Links:

21 Jul 2022Electro explosive subsystems00:33:38

Do you suffer from pretensioner? Anthony learns about more "explosive" things in cars, Michael explains the absurdity of geographic recalls, Fred helps NHSTA and simultaneously creates the best band names.

02 Nov 2023Don't burn your butt and GM Cruise reverts to meat computers01:07:55

Time to pour some out for the poor folks at GM Cruise as they take time to reflect on how they can better earn the public's trust. We suggest not dragging people under your car and lying about it to regulators. On the plus side lying to NHTSA will hopefully make NHTSA a little more proactive in their investigations into this company. Might make the GM Cruise investors a little more proactive too. Toyota has been slow to move into the EV market and now they are having an, "I told you so" moment as EV's are not selling as well as expected. At the same time Toyota is putting a fake clutch and shifter into their EV because one good idea deserves to be followed up by one dumb idea? We dig into how safety inspections need to be updated for ADAS and self driving vehicles. And how exactly is a self driving car with no pedals or steering wheel going to get itself to an inspection station? Plus recall roundup.

This weeks links:

29 Sep 2022Some enchanted episode and GM can't Cruise00:48:25

Michael's life of getting caught speeding as a 15 year old led him to become Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety

Autonomadness - a new segment about the madness of self driving cars. This week GM Cruise can't cruise. Self driving vehicles and their existential crisis's.

Recall Roundup discusses a software update that disables your speedometer and more.

In the Tao of Fred, Fred channels his inner Rogers and Hammerstein to educate us about OEDR.

Are you a pedestrian or a cyclist? Don't want to get hit by a car? Download an app. Plus listener mail on adaptive cruise control.

04 Jul 2024Rerun: Self Driving Cars Explained00:43:53

This is a rerun. In this episode guests Dr. Jeff Wishart and Phil Koopman explain the history of autonomous vehicles, why safety is really really hard, that human drivers are not bad and that it is pure speculation if a self driving car will ever be safer than a human.

25 Apr 2024Trust, but regulate01:00:32

The autonomous vehicle industry has their own PR team that is trying to compete with our Consumer Autonomous Vehicle Bill of Rights. It's a bunch of hogwash that they regurgitate every few years. A few Senators that can see through this have written a nice letter to NHTSA telling them to regulate AV's, British Columbia bans AV's and another Tesla driver makes the fatal mistake that his car is an AV and not lipstick on a pig. Fred gets into the dangers of AI through the story of mushrooms. Plus recall roundup that starts with a... Tesla.

This weeks links:

16 Nov 2023More GM Cruise fails and we learn the word ablative01:00:10

This week Michael and Anthony claim to be visited by the deep state (or just happen to be around helicopters) and Fred has his voice replaced by an AI (head cold). Could it be GM? Nah, they are too busy putting a lawyer in charge of their GM Cruise division. Anyone got the over/under on whether their CEO Kyle will make it to the end of year? Lucky for him American corporations tend let people fail upwards.

Did you know that anti-lock brakes are not required on motorcycles? And that lots of people don't want the ability for their car to be remotely disabled. What if they are drunk? Would it be good or bad to prevent a car from starting if their driver were impaired?

The Tesla whistleblower is dealing with retaliation for telling Elon that his factory is unsafe, Fred nerds out on road lane width, we discuss the dumbness of the Ram Charger EV and a couple of recalls.

This weeks links:

23 May 2024AI Hype Machine, Drunk AVs and Space Dogs01:02:13

Artificial Intelligence is the pet rock of today... if the pet rock could hallucinate a term paper. Or in the case of auto safety cause stockholders to hallucinate a future where Tesla creates a robotaxi. This week Tesla is sued for fraud (clutches pearls) and a Waymo drives drunk through Phoenix. Congress goes after auto makers for handing over all of your data without a subpoena and using slave labor. In a new feature focused on gaslighting we talk about the nonsense from Jeff Farah, shill for the AV industry. Plus some recalls.

This weeks links:

16 May 2024Technology readiness levels01:03:14

Waymo keeps running into things and now NHTSA is investigating. Fred proposes a graduated licensing process for autonomous vehicles. 60 minutes Australia compiles a list of Elon Musk stating how self driving is ready next year but that next year never comes... maybe he's just a salesman? Tesla's automation software has been involved in 467 crashes, 13 of them fatal... and that is just in a 15 month period. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

This weeks links:

19 Dec 2024Waymo, Whistleblowers, and the Return of Bench Seats01:03:36

NHTSA is wrapping up the new year with new rules for whistleblowers, event data recorders and seatbelt warnings. Waymo is the highlight for the 'Gaslight of the Week' due to misleading safety certifications for its autonomous vehicle program. Donald Trump is likely to scrap a rule on crash reporting for autonomous vehicles. Bench seats might be coming back. And recent automotive recalls and potential cybersecurity threats associated with software-defined vehicles.

11 Apr 2024Tesla and stunning negligence01:04:49

Tesla settles an Autopilot case before the trial starts which makes sense since Elon said they never fight true claims. Another Telsa case involving a 2 year that managed to start the car and crash into his mom has begun and Elon says that his robotaxi's will be announced real soon. Our expert opinion is that Tesla won't produce a robo-taxi within the next 5 years. Don't get high and drive because it's dangerous and the sobriety checks are so poor that you might wind up in jail for a really long time even if you're sober. Fred covers reaction time and we cover some recalls. Enjoy.

This weeks links:

08 Dec 2022You down with ODD? With Beth Osyk00:57:20

Beth Osyk expert in autonomous vehicles join us this week... to disappoint Anthony and let him know self driving cars are not coming soon. Plus recall roundup.

Donate

08 Feb 2024Self driving cars explained00:43:38

In this episode guests Dr. Jeff Wishart and Phil Koopman explain the history of autonomous vehicles, why safety is really really hard, that human drivers are not bad and that it is pure speculation if a self driving car will ever be safer than a human.

26 Oct 2023Self driving car? Humans now required.01:06:18

To celebrate Fred and Anthony's birthday the California DMV has banned GM Cruise self driving cars. The moral of the story? Don't listen to tech bro nonsense AND don't lie to the DMV. Turns out the GM Cruise that ran over a woman dragged her too but GM Cruise forgot to mention that part.The DOJ is getting all up in Tesla's business. Turns out lying to consumers about their EV range is not a good thing. A "super fog" causes a 168 car pile up, Colorado adds a vehicle weight fee, Fred invents a new number 5 and recall roundup.

This weeks links:

09 Nov 2023Self Driving keeps flailing and the Cybertruck is still ugly01:10:39

GM Cruise is on a death watch. They no longer have non-driverless cars, they've recalled all of their cars so that they don't drag humans caught underneath them and they stopped production of their contender for worlds ugliest car, the Cruise Origin. To date this has only cost GM a few billion dollars. How much more will they burn?

Another Cybertruck is spotted in the wild, more reports of Tesla's ADAS systems being more hazard than help, Mercedes issues a recall for 8 cars and listener mail has Fred do some math on the cost of ownership of an EV vs an ICE vs a Hybrid car.

This weeks links:

11 Jul 2024Robo-Taxis, Tesla Troubles, and the Path to Safer Roads01:03:49

This week we cover recent controversies surrounding Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology, revealing how manual interventions and YouTuber feedback fuel the myth of advanced AI automation and into the broader issues of automotive safety, discussing open-source software's pitfalls and the potential cybersecurity risks in modern vehicles. Other highlights include varied recalls from manufacturers like GM, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, and Lucid.

Links:

10 Nov 2022One man's swerve is another man's lane change01:05:23

Immobilizers! Not required but a really good idea.

Why can't it be a camera instead of a mirror?

The car obesity race... more weight equals bigger crashes.

Good use case for autonomous vehicles and self driving semi's.

Fred explains voltage, current and power by having Anthony stand underneath Niagara Falls.

autosafety.org/donate

01 Sep 2022Ejection mitigation or inconsequential noncompliance 00:46:57

Fred makes some assumptions about how Anthony acquired a drivers license, we follow up on V2X in NY, self driving vehicles should be required to take a road test, recall roundup and more.

20 Oct 2022Giant googly eyes and safety me oh my's00:58:18

California approves digital license plates, automated driving deaths increase, what's going on with Automatic Emergency Braking and Sensor Fusion (not a prog rock band). Plus we'd really love it if NHTSA started some regulations around AEB, automated driving and well, any auto tech from the last 20 years.

Help us continue and become a supporter.

22 Jun 2023Picking your nose while reading a book and driving a car.00:57:47
Voters in Massachusetts voted for "Right to Repair" but NHTSA says no, Mercedes gets approval for level 3 driving and every Tesla Semi is recalled.Related Links
28 Nov 2024Top Ten Lists: Tesla Turkeys and NHSTA's last stand?00:42:50

Happy Thanksgiving listeners!

This week we share our top ten things we are thankful for in car safety. Highlights include the Tesla Cybertruck and full self-driving technology, NHTSA's recent improvements and penalties, and shout-outs to people and organizations contributing to automotive safety such as the anonymous engineers that make cars safer.

Links:

21 Sep 2023The Chinese forced labor problem01:07:16

If you've bought a car in the last few years odds are that it's made with slave labor. How's that for a show opener? Gulp. Plus Elon Musk blames his customers and not his crummy cars, Michael digs into some bills presented to a guy named Gavin, Fred digs into the morality, programmed and not, of self driving cars and we discuss one recall.

This weeks links:

04 Jan 2024The decline of Tesla? And Happy New Year00:57:44

Hey Listeners,

This week we join the fray and pile on Tesla. The Washington Post, Consumer Reports and even Tech Crunch point out how Tesla's autopilot and full self driving is pricey garbage. Plus Fred does a deep dive into his New Years Resolution for the automotive industry.

This weeks links:

30 Jun 2022What's a NHTSA and other acronyms explained.00:29:54

This week we break down the alphabet soup of auto safety and discuss the gender ratios of crash test dummies.

12 Sep 2024Speed Limits, Safety Standards, and Autonomous Vehicles01:02:49

We start off this week with California's proposed Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) bill, which aims to warn drivers exceeding speed limits by 10 mph. Next is NHTSA's new safety standards for pedestrian protection and other auto safety innovations. Then, we critique unrealistic claims about autonomous vehicles and highlight a recent investigation into Jeep vehicles catching fire.

This weeks links:

14 Dec 2023Dr. Jeffrey Wishart and the trough of disillusionment00:59:15

This week we are joined by Dr. Jeffrey Wishart. He's got over 20 years experience in the advanced transportation space and is author of the book, "Fundamentals of Connected and Automated Vehicles". If you want to learn more about things like V2X, level 2, 3 and 4 autonomous driving systems this is the episode for you.

Plus in listener mail Michael dispels the myth that we are funded by big auto or that we were never picked last in gym.

This weeks links:

05 Jan 2023Off a cliff with some new car smell00:53:31

A Tesla survives a 250 cliff drop but still lies about full self driving, Anthony invents the car bidet, Fred explains exactly what that new car smell is and Michael has audio problems. Plus recall roundup

30 May 2024Your mileage may vary00:59:38

California is proposing a bill to alert drivers to their speeding. Anthony suggests automatic tickets. Elon doesn't understand data or is flat out lying about the safety of Autopilot. Remote controlled trains remind us of GM Cruise. Miles per Gallon is not as helpful a measure as gallons per 100 miles and we discuss why AV companies don't follow the Department of Transportation's Technology Readiness Levels... which they helped write.

Mentioned Links:

20 Feb 2025Driving on Thin Ice: Musketeers vs. Safety Advocates01:01:05

Jonathan Morrison won the job as new the NHTSA administrator. I hope he cares about safety or dangers... like those posed by oversized vehicles. Jeep is now displaying pop-up ads in your car. Fun. And we have recalls.

This weeks links:

16 Jan 2025What is a safety? Waymo don't know.01:07:21

Howdy,

Lots to cover this week and we barely make a dent.

  • New York City's congestion pricing and its effects on traffic and pollution;
  • Self driving cars still lacking in data transparency, safety standards, and industry practices;
  • Waymo, the boondoggle at Google?
  • Safety is defined as 'absence of unreasonable risk' and this is nonsense;
  • Telsa recalls and the Cybertruck gets a lot in it's first year;
  • and more

Links:

14 Mar 20240 to 60 to outrun your insecurities01:03:12

Know the difference between laminated glass and tempered glass? Did you know that a laminated glass breaking tool for sale online will not actually break laminated glass? I answered no to both of these questions so it's a good thing I listened to this episode. Plus some cars are tracking your ever move and then selling the data to your insurance company... without your knowledge or consent. IIHS adds a new test for partial automated driving features and everyone - almost everyone - fails, Tesla is on trial and blames its customers. And Fred breaks down 0 to 60 in one second nonsense claims.

This weeks links:

08 Sep 2022Who's hailing driverless cabs?00:45:30

Anthony auditions for Andy Rooney's old job, Michael explains how airbags need to be folded correctly and Fred explains how ADS is not ADAS. Plus level 4 cars don't exist but GM Cruise and Waymo are maybe, sort of, kind of level 4 and motorcycles are not crash tested.

28 Dec 2023Is Waymo better than a human?01:05:53

It's the end of the year. Drive safe and is Waymo safer than a human? Probably not but thanks for sharing the data. Tesla has another recall and continues to blame it's customers when their car breaks. The Blazer EV might be a lemon, Fred dives further into the ARC airbag problem and we discuss some recalls.

This weeks links:

14 Jul 2022Please wait while your car updates00:35:02

This week we take on:

  • Big Phone and how it's affecting vehicle safety;

  • Car makers turning features into subscriptions;

  • Cars being unregulated computers;

29 Dec 2022New Years Resolutions00:54:28

For the end of the year Michael Brooks runs down his list of new year resolutions... for others. In the new year we hope NHTSA becomes stronger, Tesla gets a new CEO, AV companies stop with the BS and Lucid learns to make a car.

It's not too late to make a tax deductible contribution.

18 Apr 2024Road diets and bad Tesla01:04:40

Could your road go on a diet? Maybe it should as it could make it safer. Did you spend too much money on a stainless tank and are now suffering from unintended acceleration? Contact Tesla and ask if you've been Cyber Trucked. Turbo roundabouts, bad Tesla software updates, daylight savings time and car crashes an update on the Consumer Autonomous Vehicle Bill of Rights and lots of recalls.

This weeks links:

01 Aug 2024Rerun - Backseat safety with Dr. Emily Thomas of Consumer Reports01:03:47

We're off this week. This is repeat of an episode that a lot of people missed. It's a good one. Don't miss. Or any episodes.

https://www.autosafety.org/support-us/

02 Feb 2023It'll all be better in the future01:03:29

EV Hummers, Goodyear tire investigation, Kia/Hyundai's can't get insured, cities pushing back against AV's, recall roundup and the Tao of Fred.

06 Feb 2025Phil Koopman, Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Tesla's hidden door handles00:56:27

Phil Koopman comes back to the show for a 2 part episode. During this first one we discuss the dangers of Tesla's electronic door latches, the lack of federal regulations covering these safety gaps, and the broader implications for emerging vehicle technologies.

Then SAE and those levels... Phil summarizes this nicely.

This weeks links:

13 Feb 2025Start your own robo-taxi company with Phil Koopman01:06:22

We continue our discuss with Phil Koopman from Carnegie Mellon University. What is safety? How easy is it start your own robo-taxi company? Why Waymo's safety claims are short about a billion miles of data and more.

Like guests like Phil? Donate so we can continue getting more great guests.

This weeks links:

31 Aug 2023The micron metal hour01:10:00

Listeners,

We really don't like to pick on the Elon. It's boring BUT he makes it really easy. This week we explain that the Cyber Truck will never have... well anything he claims, GM Cruise expands their Fire Truck smashers to Raleigh, IIHS tests backseat safety and makes simple suggests to make motorcycles safer (wear a dang helmet), Fred goes back into Radar and Lidar and some recalls (what's with the rear view cameras?)

This weeks links:

27 Oct 2022Lidar, Sonar, Radar no Klinger00:59:43

Potential regulation for big hoods and grills, speed limiting technology, Florida Man and salt bridges update, too many people ignore school bus stop signs, the Tao of Fred and listener mail.

Be sure to tell your friends and support us.

16 Mar 2023Name this Podcast... and dummies01:06:05

Crash test dummies, airless tires, how to date your tires, Tesla crashes, Tesla "theft" and more. Plus the Tao of Fred and Recall Roundup.

Mentioned links:

01 Dec 2022For $15,000 you can make everyone a test subject00:59:07

Full Self Driving is not a thing. Don't believe that it is. If you've paid for such a thing please please please keep remain an active and engaged driver. You could save your own life as well as those of others around you.

Takata airbags are still in millions of vehicles. Go to our Vehicle Safety Check and see if your car has a recall.

Plus Fred explains "dinosaur chips" and Roundup Recall.

And please donate if you can.

20 Mar 2025AV's:  An Attractive Nuisance01:03:29

Tesla protests, criticism of Tesla's autopilot and Full Self Driving and Cybertrucks that are coming apart. Waymo is racking up the parking tickets and still doesn't have a viable business model. GM puts another 9,000 pound sociopath on the road and cannabis doesn't not make you a good driver. That and more in this weeks episode.

This weeks links:

12 Dec 2024Cruise runs out of juice and car jackers need to check the backseat00:59:55

GM finally listened to us and/or did some basic math and realized that GM Cruise was a dumpster fire that needed to be extinguished. Imagine what they could have done with the $10 Billion they squandered.

A recent AAA survey covers risky driver behaviors and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's findings that vehicle height increases pedestrian injury severity. Consumer Reports' reliability and owner satisfaction surveys show that Rivians are unreliable but make their owners happy. And troubling statistics from Kids in Car Safety about cars stolen with children inside.

Join the Fight for Safer Cars!

Links

15 Jun 2023Total Bullshift or Anti-Geek-ite01:10:28

Hey Listeners,Thank you for listening. Without you we'd be talking to ourselves. This week we touch on the I-95 fire, Toyota wasting engineering time on stalling EV's, GM Cruise still blocking emergency responders, the dumbness of the Telsa Cybertruck, the NHTSA OIG report, Fred discusses congestion pricing and Recall Roundup.

Related Links

17 Oct 2024Tesla: Autonomous Revolution, Illusion or Delusion?00:58:50

This week we debunk Elon Musk’s grandiose claims about Tesla's Robo Taxi, highlighting regulatory and safety hurdles, and the inflated value of Tesla’s stock driven by speculative products. Regulators can't seem to keep up with the new safety needs of autonomous vehicles and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2X) but Gatik AI is making an effort by adopting UL4600. The EU states the obvious - the CyberTruck is for people that don't care about people and recall roundup.

This weeks links:

03 Nov 2022Full Self Driving & Auto Pilot: What are things we call lies?00:54:45

Tesla gets investigated by the DOJ. Does NHTSA consider autopilot a defect? For our .001% listeners there is an important recall of your Lamborghini SUV. Fred updates on sarin in EV fires and explains SAE. Plus listener mail.

www.autosafety.org/donate

26 Jan 2023UL 460000:57:44

This week we are joined by Deb Prince. She is the chairperson of the UL 4600 group and program at Underwriters Laboratories.

As astute listeners will remember UL 4600 is the Standard for Safety for the Evaluation of Autonomous Products such as automated cars. Those Waymo and GM Cruise things that keep us entertained. If you want to be well informed like Fred you <a href="https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL4600_2_S_20220315">can get a copy here of UL 4600 online</a>.

Want to learn more about deer strikes? Read the Washington Post article, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/20/deer-car-collisions/">Fear the deer: Crash data illuminates America’s deadliest animal</a>.

07 Nov 2024Auto Safety in an Unregulated World and Headlights Too Bright00:55:17

Deep breaths... Hummer EV, what the election means for NHTSA, regulations and everything related to safety. Are LED headlights too brights? Zoox and Tesla have a spat. It's a new world.

This weeks links:

22 Jun 2022Cars on fire and maybe it's safer to walk00:45:04

Welcome to the first episode of the Center for Auto Safety podcast. This week Anthony asks whether electric vehicles catch on fire more than ICE vehicles, Fred tells us that manufacturers can use anything in airbag propellants and Michael lets us know that there are little regulations around batteries. Gulp.

05 Sep 2024Big Cars, Bigger Problems and Driverless Dangers00:56:35

Finally, a congressional bill aimed at setting federal standards for hood height and visibility to protect pedestrians. Another failure of partial automation systems like Ford's Blue Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot. Anthony let's loose on the NY Times, Amazon is using bad tech to monitor it's drivers and the recalls galore.

This weeks links:

29 Jun 2023All the torque01:04:46

What's torque? Listen and you can find out. And it's not safe to be a pedestrian, San Francisco is maybe pushing back against robo-taxis, NHTSA proposes that heavy trucks should use AEB and Recall Roundup.

This weeks links:

08 Jun 2023Automatic Emergency Braking and Mr. Bean01:03:14

For our 50th episode we take a deep dive into Automatic Emergency Braking and NHTSA's proposed rule to make it required for all cars. We like that idea. Can they propose a rule for no angry drivers?Plus, Fred channels Mr. Bean and discusses more about the environmental details of electric cars and how we get power. In Recall Roundup we learn that Tesla's need steering wheels. Who knew?

Links

27 Apr 2023Almost everything you wanted to know about EV batteries00:53:22

We are joined by special guests Chi-Hao Chang - Associate Research Scientist at Dow and John McKeen – Technical Director, Dow Mobility Science. They walk us through the depths of EV batteries, thermal runaway, EV battery fires and most importantly Fred has people to geek out with. Channel your inner science-self and download this one now.

07 Jul 2022Levels of self driving cars and liability00:41:27

Level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of self driving cars explained. European auto standards, Anthony complains about headlights and Michael reviews the podcast as being OK.

11 Aug 2022Woe the Ferrari driver and black boxes in cars00:48:21

Fred explains how the nanny state and the viscosity of brake fluid are conspiring against us. Then we have an intelligent discussion about event data recorders (aka black boxes) in our cars. Tell us your thoughts on black boxes in cars.

12 Oct 2023Playing the odds with ARC airbags01:11:08

This week we dig deeper into the ARC automotive airbag situation. Fred breaks down the math from the ARC spokesperson, Michael discusses the lack of any safety standards for airbags and Anthony says with a pair of pliers he can disable his airbag. We dig into the history of "right on red", Connecticut installs drunk driver detectors in cars, Waymo expands, rats on the bonnet and if you donate you might get to cram into a mini-car with Michael. Thanks for listening.This weeks links:

09 Jan 2025Missy Cummings: Insights into Self-Driving Tech and Safety00:55:41

This week we are joined by Missy Cummings, Director of George Mason University's Autonomy and Robotics Center. Missy walks us through the safety concerns with self driving cars based on your research, talks about the definition of 'safe enough', how laughable remote operations are and lack of functional safety testing.

This episode underscores the urgent need for both state and federal regulations to improve safety standards and accountability for autonomous vehicles.

Links

27 Jul 2023Safety equals Communism!01:08:49

The wheels on corporate lobbying go round and round, round and round. 'Congress holds a hearing on how removing safety legislation on autonomous vehicles is the only way to ensure that our children won't become Communists. Or something like that. Plus Fred explains what those black things your car sits on are.

https://www.autosafety.org/av-fan-fictions/

19 Oct 2023Self driving risk conditions01:01:56

GM Cruise is the gift that keeps on giving to this podcast. Cruise and their CEO Kyle have repeatedly claimed that their cars are so much safer than humans. How much safer you ask? Well their new software will recognize a firehose. My 3 year old nephew can do the same thing but the DMV won't let him drive a car. Also in this episode Michael gives Anthony some driving advice, NHTSA investigates Cruise for being as good as a bad human driver when it comes to pedestrians, Hawaii cuts down on catalytic convertor theft, Fred explains what a minimal risk condition is and hopefully the autonomous vehicle industry can establish a standard for one and we discuss some recalls of Fords and Tesla's.This weeks links:

12 Jan 2023Edge Case Research00:56:25

This week we are joined by Mike Wagner and Ben Lewis from Edge Case Research.

They are working on making AV's safer and providing insurance to AV companies.

10 Oct 2024Robo Rides and Recall Realities01:11:17

Big thank you to Janette Fennell from Kids and Cars Safety for sending us some cool swag.

This weeks topics include:

  • Tesla's controversial full self-driving claims;
  • Regulatory issues surrounding autonomous vehicles;
  • Self-certification in vehicle crash testing;
  • A Fisker recall update;
  • When/why do vehicles get crash tested;
  • The New York legal loopholes in drug-impaired driving;
  • Recalls and more...

Links:

22 Dec 2022Brake check this episode!00:56:24

Child labor at Hyundai, more Waymo and Cruise teenage years, Tesla forces arbitration on it's customers, Fred explains Santa, synthetic gasoline and the Recall Roundup.

16 Feb 2023A thousand horsepower01:08:34

Self certified autonomous vehicles? American are obsessed with pickup trucks... to use at the Piggly Wiggly? We release the Automated Vehicle Bill of Rights.. draft 1.

Links we mentioned:

https://www.autosafety.org/support-us/

https://www.autosafety.org/av-bill-of-rights/

https://www.axios.com/ford-pickup-trucks-history

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/02/13/highway-road-sign-messages-jokes/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/business/missy-cummings-tesla-autopilot.html

https://jalopnik.com/elon-musk-says-upgrading-autopilot-hardware-on-older-te-1850041340

https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/toyota-siennas-seat-belt-reminders-stand-out-among-minivans

https://www.theverge.com/23591501/gmc-hummer-ev-review-photos-specs-price

13 Apr 2023The Double Whammy01:08:11

This week we discuss the EPA mandate for electric vehicles and how the safety issue of vehicle weight is ignored. And since most people now drive trucks cars are getting even heavier.Also, we visit the world of Autonomous Vehicles and check in with Auroa, mildly praise and mildly shame Kyle from Cruise, Fred covers the need for safety inspections of software with AV's. recall roundup and bust the myths around seat belts.

  • https://www.autosafety.org/av-bill-of-rights/

  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/04/07/trucks-outnumber-cars/

  • https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/climate/electric-cars-biden-climate.html

  • https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/equipment-tech/aurora-officials-say-their-driverless-rigs-are-ready-for-use

  • https://www.dallasnews.com/business/autos/2023/04/03/aurora-to-run-driverless-trucks-from-dallas-to-houston-by-the-end-of-2024/

  • https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/04/tesla-workers-shared-images-from-car-cameras-including-scenes-of-intimacy/

  • https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/other/4-seat-belt-myths-vs-the-truth-according-to-the-nhtsa/ar-AA19CXCD

  • https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCLRPT-23V241-7631.PDF

  • https://static.nhtsa.gov/complaints/11515119/11515119-0003.pdf

  • https://getcruise.com/news/blog/2023/why-we-do-av-recalls/

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