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A lot changes when technology grows faster than the rules. We kick off with Rivian’s survival playbook—why the R2’s push for affordability, a delayed Georgia plant, and an in-house autonomy stack paired with subscriptions might keep the lights on if pure EV sales stumble. We weigh what “hands-free” really means when drivers still bear legal liability, and where a custom processor and point-to-point features promise value but raise hard questions about responsibility and price.

From there, we get tactile with a full review of the 2026 Honda Passport Trailsport. Bold on the outside, calm on the inside, it pairs a 3.5L V6 and a 10-speed with drive modes that match real conditions, not marketing. The tire choice matters: General Grabber ATs on 18-inch wheels show this SUV is built for real trails and budgets, not just show. With 5,000 pounds of towing and a cavernous cargo hold, it delivers confidence and utility—though we call out fuel economy that should be better. It’s a case study in where rugged meets reasonable.

Then we head to the field, where a $900,000 combine goes silent due to a software lockout as a storm rolls in. John Deere’s precision agriculture tools can slash input costs with plant-by-plant accuracy, yet centralized control can trap farmers at a critical moment. That tension feeds the broader right-to-repair fight across industries, from tractors to EVs. Ownership should include access to fix urgent failures, transparent diagnostics, and timely remote resets when minutes matter.

We close by examining a proposed EPA shift that would stop counting key health benefits—such as avoided asthma attacks and premature deaths—when regulating fine particulate matter and ozone. Change the math and you change the outcome: weaker protections, dirtier air, and heavier burdens on communities near industrial sites. Methodologies can evolve, but zeroing out human life is not progress. Technology should reduce harm; policy should measure it honestly.

If you value straight talk on where mobility, machinery, and policy collide, hit follow, share this episode with a friend who loves cars or cares about clean air, and leave us a review with your take on right to repair and driver-assist liability. Your feedback shapes what we explore next on The TechMobility Show.

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Autonomy is having a second act, and not everyone is ready for it. We open with Nissan—a brand that once led with the Leaf—now aiming to leapfrog rivals with a hands‑off, eyes‑on system by 2028, even as core models age and Infiniti searches for a pulse. We explain why bold software roadmaps can’t paper over weak product strategy, how legal gray zones and weather still hem in robotaxis, and where autonomy is paying off first: long‑haul trucking across the Sun Belt.

From there, we dive into a Detroit startup that embeds EEG‑style sensors in headrests to detect drowsiness, seizures, or blackouts before drivers notice. The safety upside is real, but so are the tradeoffs. We examine cost targets that make or break adoption, the line between helpful alerts and the “nanny car,” and the privacy guardrails needed so biosignals don’t become an insurance or employer data mine. If this tech succeeds, it will be because opt‑in design, on‑device processing, and strict deletion policies arrive with the hardware.

Then, a plot twist from the past: chimney sweeps are back in London. High energy prices, wood‑burning stoves, and concerns about grid resilience have revived a 500‑year‑old trade—with drones, thermal cameras, and industrial vacuums replacing soot‑covered climbs. We weigh the resilience benefits against public‑health costs, including PM2.5 exposure, and explain why cleaner fuels and annual sweeps matter for households that use fireplaces as backup heat.

Finally, we address housing affordability through a jobs lens. New master‑planned cities promise mixed‑income neighborhoods, smarter zoning, and built‑in transit, but they work only if employers show up. We explore a more immediate path: revitalizing existing towns with mid‑skill industries, better broadband, modular infill, and zoning that places people close to work and services. Technology can accelerate change, but only strategy turns it into value.

If this conversation got you thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend, and drop us a note at talk@techmobility.show. Want more like this each week? Subscribe and leave a quick review to help others find The TechMobility Show.

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Want a clear view of where mobility and money intersect right now? We dive into how Chinese carmakers are lining up to enter the U.S. through joint ventures, Canadian quotas, and Mexican assembly—and why that strategy echoes the Japanese and Korean playbook that reshaped the market decades ago. The core story is affordability: a massive gap below $25K that Chinese brands are ready to fill with high-quality, feature-rich EVs, potentially under familiar badges. We unpack what that means for IP sharing, tariffs, and whether legacy automakers can turn this wave into a two-way learning advantage.

Then we strap into the 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona EV to separate hype from hardware. With dual motors, 630 hp, and a 670-hp power shot, the Daytona blends muscle with a grand-touring vibe, delivering tight build quality, confident handling, and a surprisingly practical hatch. We talk tech, comfort, and the few misses—most notably a 270-mile range—so you know exactly who this car serves today and what upgrades might matter tomorrow.

Price pressure also reshapes the used market. We explain why some dealers now sell branded or salvage-title vehicles as insurers total cars for electronics-heavy repairs, not just big crashes. You’ll hear about the risks a test drive won’t reveal, how inconsistent state standards magnify uncertainty, and what questions to ask before you chase a “deal” that could turn into cascading sensor and safety issues. Finally, we connect the dots to housing: the rise in underwater mortgages across Sun Belt cities, how thin down payments and post-frenzy price shifts lock owners in place, and practical steps if you’re stuck—keep paying, don’t rush to sell, and protect liquidity.

If you care about where value, safety, and performance meet, this conversation gives you the context to buy smarter—whether that’s your next EV, a used car under $15K, or the decision to ride out a choppy housing market. Enjoy the ride, share this with someone shopping right now, and subscribe for more straight talk on mobility insights. Got a take or a question we should tackle next? Text 872-222-9793 or email talk@techmobility.show. Leave us a review to help more listeners find our show.

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