🔋 The "Green Paradox" of EV Batteries: Clean cars, complex supply chains

Our latest Auto Intelligence episode with Steve and Claire tackles one of the automotive industry's most pressing challenges - the environmental trade-offs in EV battery production. While battery manufacturing accounts for nearly 2/3 of an EV's upfront emissions, lifecycle analysis shows EVs still produce half the emissions of gas vehicles.

Key insights from our deep dive: • Global battery demand will grow almost 7x by 2035 (IEA Global EV Outlook 2024) • Lithium extraction uses 500,000 gallons of water per ton • Cobalt recycling could meet 40% of demand by 2035 • EV battery recycling market: $540M → $23.7B by 2035

The path to sustainable mobility isn't simple, but the solutions are emerging through innovation in recycling, mining practices, and manufacturing processes. The companies mastering sustainable supply chains will lead the next decade.

Listen to the full episode for insights on second-life batteries, solid-state technology, and why this challenge represents our industry's greatest opportunity.

Produced by Auto Agentic. Learn more at www.autoagentic.ai
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About Auto Agentic:

Auto Agentic (www.autoagentic.ai) is pioneering AI-driven solutions transforming automotive retail. Founded in 2024, we deliver intelligent, adaptive solutions designed to help dealerships streamline operations, optimize sales performance, and elevate customer experience. With a focus on ethical AI, seamless integrations, and real-time insights, Auto Agentic empowers dealership teams—never replaces them—unlocking new levels of productivity and profitability.

Our suite of intelligent agents handles everything from lead nurturing and inventory optimization to service appointment management and customer follow-ups. By using AI to replace time-consuming tasks and augmenting decision-making with advanced analytics, Auto Agentic helps dealerships stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The quantum leap: How quantum computing is supercharging automotive innovation

The Future of Driving is Being Written in Quantum Labs Today

Quantum computing has moved from the realm of theoretical physics to practical automotive applications, with major automakers investing millions in partnerships and pilot projects that could fundamentally reshape how we design, build, and operate vehicles. While still in the early research stages, the potential implications are staggering – from cars that can predict and prevent accidents before they happen to batteries that design their own optimal chemistry.

Real Companies, Real Results

This isn't science fiction. Volkswagen's pioneering quantum traffic optimisation work with D-Wave Systems, which began around 2017, has explored significant improvements in urban mobility through pilot projects in cities like Lisbon and Beijing. The German automaker has continued expanding their quantum research, including partnerships with Google Quantum AI and more recently with IQM Quantum Computers for battery simulation studies.

Ford is collaborating with Quantinuum on quantum chemistry simulations to understand charge and discharge mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries at the molecular level. Meanwhile, BMW and Pasqal are researching quantum applications in metal-forming processes and solving complex differential equations that could revolutionise manufacturing precision.

Toyota has explored quantum applications through D-Wave partnerships, focusing on traffic signal optimisation, while Hyundai and IonQ are using quantum simulations to optimise electrolytes and catalysts for advanced EV batteries. Even suppliers like Bosch are investing in quantum startups like Zapata Computing.

The Quantum Advantage: Why This Matters

Key insight: "Instead of trial-and-error experimentation, we're moving toward precision design based on quantum-level understanding of materials and systems."

Unlike classical computers that process information sequentially, quantum computers leverage superposition and quantum interference to explore vast problem spaces simultaneously. For automotive applications, this could mean:

• Autonomous vehicles that process multiple sensor inputs more efficiently, leading to better object detection and route optimisation
• Materials science breakthroughs enabling lighter, stronger vehicle components and revolutionary battery technologies
• Supply chain optimisation that could eliminate inefficiencies costing the industry billions annually
• Manufacturing precision through quantum-enhanced digital twins and process optimisation

Current Reality vs. Future Potential

McKinsey projects $2-3 billion in economic impact for automotive by 2030, though widespread deployment remains in development stages due to current "noisy intermediate-scale quantum" (NISQ) limitations. Tod

About Auto Agentic:

Auto Agentic (www.autoagentic.ai) is pioneering AI-driven solutions transforming automotive retail. Founded in 2024, we deliver intelligent, adaptive solutions designed to help dealerships streamline operations, optimize sales performance, and elevate customer experience. With a focus on ethical AI, seamless integrations, and real-time insights, Auto Agentic empowers dealership teams—never replaces them—unlocking new levels of productivity and profitability.

Our suite of intelligent agents handles everything from lead nurturing and inventory optimization to service appointment management and customer follow-ups. By using AI to replace time-consuming tasks and augmenting decision-making with advanced analytics, Auto Agentic helps dealerships stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

This comprehensive episode of Auto Intelligence explores the profound intersection of automotive AI and assistive technology, revealing how mobility innovations extend far beyond traditional transportation to transform lives worldwide.

Featured Stories: From Myrna Peterson's documented, life-changing experience with the goMARTI (Mobility for All Rural Transportation Innovation) autonomous vehicle project in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Tilly Lockey's inspiring journey with AI-powered bionic arms from Open Bionics, we discover how the same technological principles driving automotive innovation are revolutionising independence globally.

Key Companies and Innovations: The episode features verified insights from industry leaders including May Mobility (autonomous shuttle services), Waymo (robotaxi testing), Uber and Cruise (accessible ride-hailing), and Spare Labs (Open Fleets technology for paratransit integration). In the assistive technology space, we explore innovations from Ottobock (C-Brace intelligent orthosis, bebionic hand), Permobil (AI-powered wheelchairs), Ossur (advanced prosthetics), ReWalk Robotics (exoskeletons), and Exact Dynamics (iARM robotic assistance).

Canadian Innovation Spotlight: Canadian companies are leading the charge with Braze Mobility (Toronto) developing wheelchair blind-spot sensors, Cheelcare (Richmond Hill) creating all-terrain wheelchair attachments, and Spare Labs (Vancouver) partnering with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for North America's largest automated paratransit service.

Technology Deep Dive: The episode examines how sensor fusion, machine learning, and predictive analytics—core technologies in autonomous vehicles—are being adapted for personal mobility devices. From the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials' smart prosthetic sockets to Munevo's eye-tracking wheelchair controls and Broadened Horizons' Wheelie 7 adapter kit, we see how AI is creating comprehensive independence solutions.

Real-World Impact: Beyond individual stories, the episode addresses systemic challenges including cost barriers, the role of programs like Ontario's Assistive Devices Program, training requirements, and infrastructure needs. We explore emerging technologies including brain-computer interfaces, AR/VR applications, IoT integration, and wireless charging solutions.

The Future of Mobility: This episode demonstrates that mobility technology isn't just about movement—it's about dignity, empowerment, and the fundamental human right to navigate the world independently. As automotive intelligence principles transform personal assistive devices, we're witnessing a revolution where what seems everyday to some becomes utterly life-altering for others.

About Auto Agentic:

Auto Agentic (www.autoagentic.ai) is pioneering AI-driven solutions transforming automotive retail. Founded in 2024, we deliver intelligent, adaptive solutions designed to help dealerships streamline operations, optimize sales performance, and elevate customer experience. With a focus on ethical AI, seamless integrations, and real-time insights, Auto Agentic empowers dealership teams—never replaces them—unlocking new levels of productivity and profitability.

Our suite of intelligent agents handles everything from lead nurturing and inventory optimization to service appointment management and customer follow-ups. By using AI to replace time-consuming tasks and augmenting decision-making with advanced analytics, Auto Agentic helps dealerships stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Available on all major podcast platforms. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.