2025 Consumer Electronic Show | #596

The Drive with Alan Taylor

Alan Taylor is at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 in Las Vegas, buzzing with excitement over the latest technology advancements. Allison Fried, CES Spokesperson, highlights the 2.5 million square feet of exhibition space, emphasizing the growing focus on mobility and transportation, attracting numerous OEMs and aftermarket products to improve road safety and performance.

First up is Qualcomm, which highlighted its Snapdragon technology, which is essential for modern vehicles, even though they don’t manufacture cars. Jeff Dubroff explained that Snapdragon enhances automotive experiences through four main components: the Snapdragon cockpit manages displays like navigation; Snapdragon ride focuses on safety and advanced driver-assistance systems; Snapdragon connectivity handles GPS and mobile networks with 4G and 5G; and the Snapdragon Car-to-Cloud platform maintains a long-term connection with vehicle owners for service updates. Overall, Qualcomm seeks to transform vehicles into intelligent and responsive companions.

BJ Killen, an automotive journalist, joined Alan at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to discuss AI integration in vehicles, prompted by a Qualcomm Snapdragon concept vehicle. Alan voiced concerns about privacy and distrust in AI, while BJ emphasized that automotive AI is still in its early stages, similar to early blind spot detection systems.

CEO Mike Battaglia, provided an overview of the company Blink. Blink is a global, full-service EV charging infrastructure company specializing in various EV charging hardware and software services. Blink is the largest owner-operator of Level 2 charging stations in the United States, making it uniquely positioned in the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape.

Troy Aberle, known as “Coach” Troy and a friend of Alan’s, discussed shifts in the automotive industry. He noted that car ownership has become more transactional, especially for those over 30 who acquire their first licenses later, leading to less emotional attachment to vehicles. Cars are now seen as sources of stress rather than joy, which contrasts with fond memories of road trips. Troy praised manufacturers like Scout for reviving nostalgic designs and emphasized the importance of enjoyable and safe driving experiences. He highlighted Scout’s innovative electric vehicles that relieve range anxiety while blending traditional design with modern technology. Troy envisions a future where automotive design balances heritage and innovation.

Chris Benjamin, Chief Design Officer for Scout, introduced the new electric vehicles: the Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup truck. Drawing on Scout’s rich heritage, these models blend iconic design features with modern functionality. Key elements include the Traveler’s unique silhouette inspired by the Scout 2 and the Terra’s styling reminiscent of the Scout 80. Both vehicles boast a hybrid design, functioning as fully electric models equipped with an onboard generator, dubbed the “harvester,” to alleviate range anxiety. Scout has also reimagined classic color schemes, such as the original Scout 80’s bright blue and the Scout 2’s Tahitian red, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new buyers. Thoughtful design details, like a sculpted side profile and convenient door handles, enhance user experience while maintaining storage space with the harvester’s engine placement. This blend of heritage and innovation positions the new Scout vehicles as strong contenders in the modern electric vehicle market.

Eric Fleming, the president and CEO of Yazaki Innovations, discussed the company’s significant role in the automotive industry. Yazaki, a $17 billion company, is a key supplier of wiring looms and components, which are essential to the operation of vehicles from major manufacturers like Toyota. Yazaki is eager to innovate and expand beyond their traditional markets despite their established position. Fleming, who has a startup background and has worked with Tesla, was brought on board to foster a more entrepreneurial mindset within Yazaki. Two years ago, Yazaki Innovations was formed, focusing on three main areas: a venture capital group to invest in startups, a technology group to design new products for existing and new customers, and a standard wiring group catering to the evolving demands of electric vehicle manufacturers. The company aims to integrate innovative practices into its operations while maintaining its core strengths, showing a commitment to supporting growth and advancement in the automotive sector and beyond.

Matthew Valbuena, a longtime Mazda employee, has been involved in automotive innovation for over 23 years, starting from his first encounter with a fellow enthusiast at the SEMA trade show. Now, as a judge for the Innovation Awards at CES, he focuses on in-vehicle technologies and connectivity. Matthew is particularly intrigued by innovations like transparent displays that can project information for passengers and outline destinations for drivers. While he finds many exciting concepts at trade shows, he acknowledges that not all become viable products, recalling historical tech battles like VHS vs. Beta and HD DVD vs. Blu-ray. With cautious optimism, he seeks out technologies that might have lasting significance in the industry.

Jeff Hunter from SavageMarketer.com shared insights on AI integration in products, highlighting a shift from theoretical discussions to practical applications. He noted the emergence of devices capable of operating offline, allowing for the development of custom AI models, even in everyday items like toys that could read bedtime stories. William Vanderveer from Fatec North America added to the conversation by discussing their work in industrial touchscreen manufacturing and their innovative transparent roof display for high-end vehicles. This 4K monitor for sunroofs aims to enhance the driving experience with programmable displays, offering personalization and unique experiences for customers. The growing integration of AI into various sectors and its potential to enhance everyday objects is here. It’s important to create distinctive experiences for consumers while also raising concerns about the implications of driverless technology and automation.

Wrapping it up with Alan is 17-year-old content creator Luke Aberle, affectionately dubbed “Luke Skywalker,” expressed his enthusiasm for emerging trends in the world of consumer electronics. Although he was only on the second day of the event, a few standout companies caught his attention, one of which was Scout, a new electric car company that was relatively unknown prior to the show. Luke was intrigued by how Scout aims to redefine the car market, particularly in a time when many believe electric vehicles lack the emotional connection traditionally associated with cars. Scout is focused on reviving the spirit of adventure and off-roading in electric vehicles, which has often been overlooked by brands like Tesla, known more for urban commuting than rugged capability. With an onboard generator, it alleviates range anxiety during off-road excursions, ensuring that drivers won’t be stranded far from charging stations. This design effectively combines the benefits of electric vehicles—such as impressive power and torque—with the reliability of a gas backup, allowing for memorable adventures and lasting ownership.

[00:00:00] – Allison Fried
[00:07:25] – Jeff Dombroff Qualcomm/Snapdragon –
[00:14:15] – Contributors BJ Killeen and Alan Taylor
[00:20:20] – Mike Battaglia President and CEO of Blink
[00:27:03] – Core Strategy of Blink
[00:36:20] – Troy Aberle – Coach Troy
[00:42:09] – Chris Benjamin Chief Design Officer for Scout
[00:51:06] – Scout Est. Release 2027
[00:54:39] – Erik Fleming is the President and CEO of Yazaki North America
[01:01:29] – Matthew Valbuena project manager of Mazda
[01:09:04] – Jeff Hunter – Savagemarketer.com
[01:17:29] – Luke Aberle – Luke’s View

CREDITS

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Colleen Mahi

Special Guest: Allison Fried

Special Guest: Jeff Dombroff

Special Guest: Mike Battaglia

Special Guest: Troy Aberle

Special Guest: Chris Benjamin

Special Guest: Erik Fleming

Special Guest: Matthew Valbuena

Special Guest: Jeff Hunter

Special Guest: Luke Aberle

EXPLORE MORE WITH HELPFUL LINKS:

• Special Guest: Allison Fried | CES Spokesperson
• Special Guest: Jeff Dombroff | https://www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon/overview
• Special Guest: Mike Battaglia | https://blinkcharging.com/
• Special Guest: Troy Aberle | https://www.coachtroy.ca/
• Special Guest: Chris Benjamin | https://www.scoutmotors.com/
• Special Guest: Erik Fleming | https://www.yazaki-na.com/
• Special Guest: Matthew Valbuena | https://www.mazdausa.com/
• Special Guest: Jeff Hunter | http://Savagemarketer.com
• Special Guest: Luke Aberle | https://www.instagram.com/lukeaberle/

Vehicles Discussed:

Scout

OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTED CHARITIES:

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• AutoTempest.com
• Brembo
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Shell
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