In this final episode of "Live from AutoTech Detroit," Gulnaaz Afzal, Senior Autonomy Systems Integration Engineer at Rivian, joined me to talk about what it really takes to get from cool AV demos to safe, scalable, production-ready autonomy. While playing Pong on the world’s smallest Atari (yes, really), Gulnaaz explains why reliability beats raw capability, why “production ready” is usually misunderstood, and how silent sensor degradation can turn into a six‑month forensic nightmare if you’re not paying attention. Gulnaaz also explains why higher levels of autonomy does not equal “I get to scroll my phone now,” how true production readiness means designing for aging sensors, messy environments, and constant software updates, why the last 10% is less about flashy AI and more about catching subtle failures early. If you care about ADAS, autonomy levels, fleet uptime, and honest storytelling about where the autonomous vehicle industry actually is, this one’s a three-course meal. Don’t miss it!

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Watch on YouTube: "Playing Pong on the World's Smallest Atari"

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Connect with Gulnaaz on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

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Jason Marks, CEO of Telo Trucks, joins the show to unpack why the MT1 is essentially a Toyota Tacoma in a Mini Cooper footprint and why that matters for cities, fleets, and the future of EV pickups. We get into the real pain points of driving and parking trucks in dense urban cores, how Japanese Kei trucks inspired Telo’s size, and why half of their paid reservations are from commercial customers who are desperate for something smaller, safer, and smarter. Jason also explains how starting from a blank sheet of paper, plus years in automotive safety and his co‑founder’s battery chops, led to a physics-first approach: engineering a 5‑star crash structure in just 14 inches of front crush, then backing into the entire vehicle layout. He also reveals how feedback from his 5,000+ Discord community pushed Telo to an 800‑volt-capable split pack, aiming to take full advantage of high‑power DC fast chargers. Then, we close with his spiciest take on what’s fundamentally broken about today’s full-size EV pickups: the runaway weight spiral that’s killing efficiency, jacking up costs, and eroding America’s global competitiveness. Don’t sleep on this episode!

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Learn more about Telo Trucks

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Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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We accidentally got our schedules crossed… and ended up with one of the spiciest short episodes of the season. Recorded live on the expo floor at AutoTech Detroit, this rapid-fire convo with Steve Bell, Chief Analyst Automotive Connectivity at Omdia is basically a masterclass crammed into a coffee break. In roughly 8 minutes, Steve explains why working in the auto industry in 2026 feels a lot like being there in 1908, how the hardware game is rapidly becoming a software game, and why EVs and first-principles engineering have completely blown up the old rulebook. He breaks down the ticking time bomb of software “veneers” on legacy vehicle architectures and what happens when cellular networks sunset while hundreds of millions of cars still depend on over-the-air (OTA) updates. Steve also lays out how this shift from hardware to software is set to reshape the industrial economy for the next 50 years. It’s punchy, it’s nerdy, and it’s a wake-up call. Perfect if you want big picture clarity on where automotive is headed and you only have a few minutes to listen!

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This episode is sponsored by AutoTech by Informa. AutoTech is the annual gathering point for more than 3,000 automotive industry leaders who come together for three days of immersive B2B networking, meaningful connections, and high-impact discussions. Guided by an Industry Advisory Board, the program features carefully curated sessions that tackle real-world challenges and spark breakthrough innovation. Dedicated to advancing the AutoTech ecosystem, the event also offers exclusive matchmaking services and dynamic exhibitions and showcases, giving attendees direct access to the latest cutting-edge technologies and solutions. Learn more at autotechevents.com

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Connect with Steve Bell on LinkedIn

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Connect with Elena:

https://evs4everyone.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/

Let's talk on X:

https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryone

Are you connected with the show on LinkedIn?

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/

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