Automotive

Speakers at our recent Impact conference share advice on getting new tech across the gap from demo to deployment.

“We’re integrating AI into vehicles thoughtfully, prioritizing safety and customer value over technological novelty,” says GM SVP Dave Richardson. Here’s our exclusive interview…

Shamim Mohammad is Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer at CarMax. We spoke with Mohammad about leveraging AI to deliver reliable results, successfully structuring technical teams for innovation, and more.

Maarten Sierhuis, VP and Alliance Global Director of the Nissan Advanced Technology Center – Silicon Valley gives a comprehensive overview of the center, including its history, collaborations, dual focus on pioneering research and advanced technology, and role in AI-driven automotive innovations.

In this episode, we connect with James Liu, the Head of MB.OS Customer Experience at Mercedes-Benz. Liu oversees a team responsible for human-machine Interface concepts, UX design, front-end engineering, speech, and AI platforms. That includes prototypes that leverage generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion.

Evangelos Simoudis, author and investor, delves into the future of cars, what has happened to Silicon Valley innovation labs, and the latest “AI spring.”

In an exclusive conversation, we talked with Greg Lynn, co-founder & CEO Piaggio Fast Forward. He unveiled the inner workings of Piaggio’s Fast Forward (PFF) and what their plans are for the eclectic company.

A 2024 rundown of recent notable generative AI projects, broken down by industry. Includes Volkswagen, Pfizer, Starbucks, and more…

How do you set up a corporate venture capital initiative to be successful — both financially and strategically? BMW i Ventures, based in Silicon Valley, is one role model. We talk with one of the group’s managing partners.

Chris Varley, Principal of Goodyear Ventures, explains the corporate venture capital group’s strategy; the investments the group has made; and why a looming recession might be a good time to invest in startups.

We spoke with John Suh, Founding Director of Hyundai’s New Horizons Studio, to hear about the development of Ultimate Mobility Vehicles; the team’s new facility in Montana; and how the team balances digital and physical prototyping.

Ellis Jones, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, explains how the company’s Global Sustainability Team does its work and highlights how metrics have helped move progress forward inside the organization.

Vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Corp. offers a model for companies that want to understand how to set up a sustainability practice. For the third consecutive year, Oshkosh has been named to the 2021 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) and has been recognized as a Barron’s Top 100 Most Sustainable Companies. We talk to Chief Sustainability Officer Kevin Tubbs.

How do emerging technologies get evaluated, tested, and rolled out in Munich-based BMW Group? We talk to Andrew Luckow, Head of Innovation and Emerging Technologies to get the details.

Paul Konasewich is a key player at the PACCAR Silicon Valley Innovation Center, which helps the $19 billion truck maker connect to relevant startups. ”You need to get honest about whether [your startup scouting activity is about] cultural enrichment,” he says, “or actually creating new products.” More of Konasewich’s advice inside…

Is the future of the automotive industry electric? In 2021, a growing number of automakers are betting big that the answer is “yes.” Here’s our look at what’s coming down the road next.

Ford Autonomous Vehicles CEO Scott Griffith sat down to discuss the future of Ford’s autonomous vehicles program, recent trends in the mobility space, and the importance of building consumer trust. 

What mattered in innovation this week? InnoLead’s Scott Kirsner and Kaitlin Milliken join Derisk CEO Alex Slawsby to discuss. That includes some of the innovation news that you may have missed this week, and why it matters for innovators working in big organizations.   In this installment: smart tires finally hit the streets, McDonald’s launches […]

During a recent conversation on the Clubhouse app, corporate innovators discussed weathering the COVID recession, pursuing breakthrough ideas, and corporate venture capital programs. 

In this installment: the launch of a disruptive new innovation consulting firm; Clubhouse starts attracting more than just Silicon Valley cool kids; and traditional automakers playing catchup on electric vehicles.

While car companies are always releasing new models, the way our vehicles get serviced has largely remained the same. But Bridgestone is working on several high-potential projects to modernize car maintenance.

Leaders with experience at Fitbit, Lyft, and the Alliance for Smiles discuss hiring diversely and support talent in an equitable environment. 

Daimler AG, the German company that makes Mercedes-Benz vehicles and Daimler trucks, has laid off more than 100 staffers at its Lab1886 innovation centers around the world…

These are 10 of our favorite videos that feature CEOs, founders, and trailblazing innovators sharing insights on how new things get created in their organizations.

How have innovation labs shifted during this period of remote work? What sets labs up for success?  Linda Elkins, Chief Technical Officer of W.L. Gore’s Silicon Valley Innovation Center, shares.

In this episode, Chris Anderson — CEO of 3DR, a drone software company — shares insights from his career and entrepreneurial ventures. Harvard Business Publishing’s Chief Product and Innovation Officer Josh Macht facilities. To get best practices from other innovators, watch other videos from our Impact main stage. Additional Resources: Get insights from former CEO and inventor Bob […]

 Tesla isn’t alone in the ring of companies experimenting with electric, autonomous, and smarter commercial vehicles.

How do you ensure that an innovation lab takes advantage of the engineering smarts of the core business? Find out how Piaggio Fast Forward tackled the challenge.

What will the future of mobility look like? We talked to Jon McNeill, COO of Lyft, about what consumers can expect moving forward. Jon also discussed his experience at Tesla.

Opened in 2015, Cadillac House space includes a free art gallery, pop-up stores, a café, as well as the latest Cadillac vehicles. Take a look inside the space in this video.

Lyft’s COO Jon McNeill has spent his career scaling companies in the mobility industry. McNeill discusses the innovative culture at Tesla, Lyft’s mission, and the future of mobility.

Susanne Hahn, Director of Lab1886 Global shares how the company inspires and supports its employees to innovate, and why they chose Atlanta for Lab1886’s newest addition.

Are millennials really killing established brands? We sat down with Nondini Naqui, a millennial engagement consultant and former CEO of Society of Grownups, to find out.

What role should digital transformation play at your company? Former Chief Innovation Officer Marcelo De Santis shares advice in this podcast bonus episode…

How does the world of car insurance not only survive, but find opportunities for growth? Debbie Brackeen of CSAA Insurance Group, explains the company’s approach…

Nathan Tan of Cadillac discusses the creation of Cadillac House, a brand building initiative for the company. See photos from inside the space.

Goodyear’s Chris Varley supports managers tasked with developing “‘something new’ on a five- or ten-year roadmap.” Get his advice on bringing ideas into a $15 billion company…

Michele Colaninno is emphatic about what he didn’t want from a new lab that the vehicle-maker Piaggio Group set up in 2015.

Last year, BMW said that it would invest 500 million Euros in the next decade across the tech landscape and moved its US office to Silicon Valley. Find out what’s behind the changes.

While it began as an R&D outpost in 2000 and later added a venture capital team, Honda’s Silicon Valley site is now a full-fledged innovation hub for the company…