エピソード

  • Robotaxi Reality Check: The Competitors, the Tech, and the Roadblocks Ahead
    2025/12/01

    For this episode, I explore the emerging “Robotaxi Wars.” Waymo, long considered the gold standard for autonomous ride-hailing in the U.S., now faces new competition from Amazon’s Zoox and the latecomer Tesla. I discuss how Waymo has spent years and billions building a multi-city fleet using modified vehicles from established automakers, while Zoox is betting on funky, fully symmetric, purpose-built pods with no steering wheel. Meanwhile, Tesla is testing supervised robotaxis in Austin but is roughly a decade behind Waymo. I also question who will ultimately master all-weather, all-city autonomy—especially in dense, complex environments like Boston—and suggest that although the field is becoming crowded, Waymo remains the leader to watch.

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    11 分
  • Hybrids Win, EVs Lose: Inside the Quiet Retreat Happening in Detroit
    2025/12/01

    In this episode, I discuss the increasing trend of canceled or restructured electric vehicle (EV) programs. As tax credits diminish and consumers shift their preferences toward hybrids instead of pure EVs, automakers are quietly discontinuing or adjusting some electric models. I highlight unexpected decisions, such as Acura canceling the ZDX after just one year and GM stepping away from its BrightDrop electric vans, which have significant financial implications for both suppliers and owners.

    However, it’s important to note that not all EVs are being canceled. Key models like the Mustang Mach-E, Cadillac’s electric lineup, and GM’s Silverado and Sierra EVs are still progressing. The real takeaway, as I see it, is that EVs are not disappearing; rather, automakers are pivoting toward hybrids and recalibrating their timelines, rather than abandoning electrification completely.automakers are pivoting toward hybrids and recalibrating their timelines, rather than abandoning electrification completely.

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    11 分
  • 2026 Ram 1500 Bighorn: A Capable, Comfortable Truck With a Few Surprises
    2025/12/01

    This episode provides a detailed review of the 2026 Ram 1500 Bighorn pickup truck. It begins with a brief history of how the old Dodge D/W pickups evolved into today’s Ram brand, then explains engine options, towing and payload capacities, and real-world driving impressions. With its mild-hybrid V6 or Hemi V8, smooth ride, bold styling, and a practical cabin, the Ram 1500 offers the capability and refinement expected from a modern full-size truck. The review notes some issues—such as the exposed spare tire placement and the absence of standard running boards on 4x4 models—but overall, it concludes that, for those willing to pay the price, the Ram 1500 remains a very appealing choice.

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    10 分
  • The Best New Volvo You Can’t Have: Inside the ES90
    2025/12/01

    This episode begins with a look at Volvo’s new ES 90, a sleek, full-electric luxury car aimed at drivers who are tired of SUVs but still want space, comfort, and ground clearance. Combining sedan elegance, fastback versatility, and SUV practicality, the ES 90 targets professionals who prefer understated, confident design over flashy excess. The challenge? Because it’s made in China, current U.S. tariffs make it unprofitable to sell here—so American buyers may never see it, even as European customers start taking delivery.

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    11 分
  • Whisper Stops, Secret Lists, and No Oversight: A Civil Liberties Crisis in Plain Sight
    2025/12/01

    During this episode, I critically examine a secretive U.S. Border Patrol surveillance program that monitors millions of American drivers well beyond traditional border areas. Ken explains how “suspicious” travel patterns—undefined and unregulated—are leading to detentions, “whisper stops,” and invasive questioning of law-abiding citizens. I raise urgent concerns about civil liberties, Fourth Amendment protections, and the expanding reach of domestic surveillance in everyday life.

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    11 分
  • Smarter Water Use, Smart Farming & Better Farm Economics
    2025/12/01

    For this episode, I explore the next stage of precision agriculture: controlled drainage and subsurface irrigation. Using a high-value Indiana farm sale as a case study, Ken explains how farmers are employing underground water management systems to reduce runoff, conserve nutrients, recapture irrigation water, and increase crop yields by 10–20%. In an era of rising input costs and growing water-quality concerns, the technology provides both environmental and financial advantages.

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    11 分
  • Flying Cars Are Real. Seriously.
    2025/12/01

    Ken explores the emerging world of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs)—and whether the long-imagined “flying car” is finally real. He breaks down the Pivotal BlackFly ultralight aircraft, its intuitive joystick controls, its safety-first automation, and why federal regulations—not technology—may be the biggest barrier to widespread adoption. With models like the new Pivotal Helix entering the market, Ken argues the conversation is no longer science fiction, but regulatory timing.

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    10 分
  • The Amtrak Revival: Record Riders, Rising Revenues, and a New Future
    2025/12/01

    During this episode, I explore Amtrak’s resurgence, emphasizing the railroad’s record-high ridership, increasing revenues, and long-overdue investments in equipment and facilities. After decades of neglect, Amtrak is finally experiencing renewed public interest—driven by high airfares, highway congestion, and the popularity of rail as a calmer, more convenient alternative. Clean trains, upgraded routes, and on-time performance are helping Amtrak move toward operational profitability by 2028, a milestone never before reached.

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    11 分