The TechMobility Podcast
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The TechMobility Podcast
2024 Fiat 500e review , BMW Hybrid Wagons Enter U.S. Market, AI Ethics and Shortcomings with Hurricane Rating
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What if the future of your garage included a classic city car transformed into a cutting-edge electric marvel? Join me, Ken Chester, on the TechMobility Podcast as we explore the fascinating transformation of the Fiat 500 from its 1950s roots to the all-electric 2024 Fiat 500e. We'll examine how the design and technology have dramatically evolved to fit the modern electric vehicle landscape and why this iconic car still captures the imagination. From the detailed performance metrics to its unique features like regenerative braking and energy efficiency, discover how the 500e stands out in today's market. And, in a world dominated by crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks, we'll uncover why some automakers, like BMW, are bringing niche models like the 2025 M5 Touring—a high-performance hybrid station wagon—into the U.S. market, all while sporting a price tag that competes with luxury sports cars.
But the episode doesn't stop at automotive innovation. Shift gears with us as we tackle the intriguing role of AI algorithms in our everyday lives. Learn why transparency, predictability, and resilience are crucial in these systems, especially in areas where fairness is non-negotiable, like loan applications. We'll draw insightful parallels between AI and the legal system, emphasizing the need for AI to produce understandable and bias-free outcomes. Listen as we discuss how these systems can be protected from being manipulated, ensuring they fulfill their intended purpose with integrity. Whether your interests lie in the garage or the ethical frameworks of AI, this engaging episode promises a blend of technology and thought-provoking discussions you won't want to miss.
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Welcome to the Tech Mobility Podcast.
Speaker 2:I'm Ken Chester. TDocket is full for this visit, so let's get started On the docket my review of the 2024 Fiat 500e, the ethics of artificial intelligence and the problem with the hurricane category rating system. To join the conversation, call or text the TechMobility hotline, that number, 872-222-9793, or you can email the show directly if you prefer talk at techmobilityshow. Also, be sure to check us out on social media, our YouTube channel or our several podcast streams. We are everywhere you might be From the Tech Mobility News Desk.
Speaker 2:It is no secret that in the United States of America, motorists prefer crossovers, suvs and pickup trucks. The numbers bear it out. Thousands, if not millions, of people choose to buy those each and every day, whether they be gasoline, hybrids, evs, some diesels, but they're definitely not buying passenger cars. There are a few that are still in the market, their argument being in the car counterculture, that is, the numbers fall. It's still a sizable chunk and fewer players means more for them, which, in kind of a counterintuitive way, as manufacturers leave the segment, the remaining volume becomes more and more sufficient for the fewer players that remain and that they can actually make money by staying around. Having said that, it still begs the question. It still begs the question why would an automaker choose to import a low-volume, performance station wagon to the United States? Think about that for a minute. The number of cars on the road new cars, cars continues to fall. More and more automakers are saying you know what? It doesn't make economic sense for us to commit capital and assembly manufacturing capabilities to build a car, whether it is a sedan, convertible or coupe. We're out. We're going to go crossovers SUVs, evs where we're going, unless you're BMW. We're going to go crossovers SUVs, evs where we're going, unless you're BMW, BMW.
Speaker 2:BMW said in 2015, almost 10 years ago that their current business model of individual ownership and gasoline-powered vehicles was no longer sustainable. That's what they said then and they were going to pivot For next year. BMW is bringing a performance wagon to the United States. It is the 2025 BMW M5 Touring. If that's not enough, it's not going to be cheap $122,675. I should get here in the fourth quarter of this year.
Speaker 2:Let's talk about this for a minute. You are bringing a vehicle that is obviously not going to sell like hotcakes. You're not looking at a vehicle that's going to sell 40,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 units. You're looking at a vehicle that's probably going to sell between five and if you're really, really fortunate, maybe as many as 15,000 units a year In the auto business. That is no numbers and it's extremely hard to justify, which tells me a couple of things. One and this is from Automotive News it tells me one the only way this makes money is if they have a contract manufacturer, build it. Two, because BMW cannot afford to dedicate a plant or even part of production and all the tooling required to build such a low-volume car.
Speaker 2:The third-generation M5 Touring that's what it says features a drivetrain similar to that of the 640-horsepower M-Hybrid V8 GTP race car. The performance plug-in hybrid pairs a 4.4 high revving twin turbocharged V8 engine with an electric motor integrated into the transmission. Let me tell you something Performance, oh no, this thing is a rocket ship. This is a rocket ship. It sprints from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds. By comparison, a Tesla Model S is about 2.9, a Lucid Air, in its performance mode, about 2.5, zero to 60. In fact, these vehicles are so fast they talk about zero to 60 to zero times. How long does it take to get from zero to 60 and then stop the vehicle all at once? That's how fast they are. But I wonder and this article does not talk about how many they expect to sell in the United States. It does say that the wagon is intended to elevate BMW's performance sub-brand in the United States, which accounts for 40% of Global M vehicle sales. The vice president of global forecasting and auto forecast solutions said while wagons are not big sellers in the US, they have a core following who will be waiting with cash in hand to pick up an M5 wagon as soon as it arrives?
Speaker 2:Did I mention $122,675? For a lot of folks in the upper Midwest, that is, if not their entire value of their house, it is a major part of the value of their home. What kind of person would need to want to have to have a BMW M5 Touring in their garage? Obviously high income, high wealth, individual, because to maintain these things aren't cheap. And then I mentioned this was a hybrid. Yeah, it's a hybrid, it's a plug-in hybrid, if you can imagine this and they talk about and I don't even know why this is even relevant the M5 Touring offers an estimated zero emission driving range of up to 25 miles on a charge. Why would that even be relevant? If I can afford to spend $122,000 on one vehicle, then I don't care how far it goes on a charge, because chances are I will probably never drive it in pure electric mode, because that's not where the fun is.
Speaker 2:I can tell you, a number of years ago I had the distinct pleasure of driving a 10-cylinder M5 sedan and I want to say probably 20, 25 years ago, the local dealer got one in. They called me and said hey, you want to drive this? I said sure. I t was amazing. So to consider this, which is even steps above that vehicle at that time, which was cutting edge, I can't even imagine. I can't even imagine where you could even drive it to get the full extent of the performance attributes of the vehicle. I mean no doubt that this vehicle will be an amazing experience, but you're going to be limited where you can drive it, if you want to drive it at all, and you're going to be limited to what you can do with it. And I wouldn't even want to think about what the insurance would cost on this vehicle. That's scary. But let me give you some statistics if you want to get really just crazy.
Speaker 2:Now, the M5 Touring features the M hybrid drive system, the combined V8 and the electric motor delivers a total output of 727 horsepower. By comparison, the Dodge Hellcat produced 707 horsepower and there were some versions that produced even more. If you've never owned a vehicle that produces more than 450 horsepower, let me tell you something is more than 450 horsepower. Let me tell you something Even at 450, 475, it is more power than you will ever, ever, ever, ever use. Those vehicles are fast. With a capital F and I've driven a number of them.
Speaker 2:I did drive a Hellcat in that power mode and I spent the rest of the week apologizing to the car. It was so quick, so fast and, honestly, totally overwhelming. Unless you're planning to do some hot laps on a racetrack with this, you're really never going to get the benefit of all the power you're going to pay for, of all the power you're going to pay for. Top speed, in case you were wondering 189 miles per hour. With the optional M-Drivers package Standard is 155 miles an hour. I don't know anywhere in the United States, including in the Western states, you can drive that fast and not end up having a conversation with the local police officer, county, state or local and, depending how fast you're driving, maybe all three. I don't know. I just wish I could see the numbers of what they're thinking about, but I can guarantee you I'd be very surprised if it was more than 10,000 units. Stellantis believes that an electric Fiat 500 is the way to go. My impressions are. Next, you're listening to the Tech Mobility Show.
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Speaker 2:Social media is the main place to be these days, and we are no exception.
Speaker 2:I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show.
Speaker 2:If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Facebook videos, from my latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary of a variety of mobility and technology-related topics.
Speaker 2:These short features are designed to inform and delight you. Be sure to watch, like and follow us on Facebook. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to our Facebook page. Social media is the place to be these days. We're no exception. I'm Ken Chester, of the TechMobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Instagram videos, from the latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary on a variety of mobility and technology related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you be sure to watch, like and follow us on Instagram. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar. For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have just the one for you. Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Tech Mobility Topics is a podcast where I upload topic-specific videos each week, shorter than a full show. These bite-sized programs are just the thing, particularly if Thank you.
Speaker 5:In 1973 we showed a commercial with lemmy julianne europe's greatest living stunt driver, a man who chooses fiat for his stunts. This year, walt disney studios made a movie called no deposit, no return for their stunts a fiat was chosen as well. No return For their stunts a Fiat was chosen as well. Considering some of the stunts people are pulling on the road these days, maybe you?
Speaker 2:should consider a Fiat. T hat was from 1976, back in the day when Fiat in the United States was get this now a full line US manufacturer that offered one, two, three, four, five different model lines with different body styles, everything from a convertible to a two-door sedan, two-door wagon, four-door sedan and even a four-door wagon Fiat. That was back then. Today, the Fiat 500 is a small car with a long history. It began life as an economy city car manufactured by Fiat Automobiles from 1957 to 1975. It was originally offered as a two-door semi-convertible, a removable soft top and as a three-door panel van or a state car. What we would consider to be a small station wagon. And, fun fact, the first 500 was originally powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled engine, like the original Volkswagen Beetle. The original 500 is also one of the first purpose-designed city cars. Over the 18-year period that the original 500 was produced, fiat sold over 4 million copies. The modern Fiat 500 was derived from the 2004 Fiat Trepino 3 Plus 1 concept that recalled the styling of the 1957 model Marketed in more than 100 countries. The Fiat 500 is considered an A-segment city car going on sale in North America during the 2012 model year. Now here's where things get interesting. Also that same year, fiat introduced its first battery electric based on the new 500, the 500E in November 2012 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales began in California in July of 2013 and Oregon in 2014, two states that had political mandates for sales of zero emission vehicles Produced from 2013 through 2019,.
Speaker 2:The first 500E was never offered in European markets. A second generation electric was announced in early 2020, and that was, in fact, launched in Europe as the new Fiat 500, later marketed as a 500E. Are you still with me? So far, we haven't even gotten to the current model yet. Despite falling sales of the Fiat 500 line that forced the nameplate to discontinue sales in North America, parent Stellantis set off to develop a brand new EV inspired by the vehicle. The concept was introduced to the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019, but production was delayed due to the vehicle. The concept was introduced to the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019, but production was delayed due to the pandemic. An all-new, all-electric take on the Fiat brand's most storied and iconic model, the two-door, fully electric 500E, was launched during the first quarter of this year as a 2024 model.
Speaker 2:The Fiat 500E is a completely new fourth-seat battery electric vehicle with a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform which is wider and longer than the previous internal combustion engine model. Available in four trim levels, the 500E is the lightest passenger battery electric vehicle in the market. An AC3 phase electric motor connected to a 42-kilowatt-hour battery pack generates 117 horsepower and 162 foot-pounds of torque. Energy is communicated to the drive wheels via single-speed automatic transmission. The 500E offers motorists three drive modes to suit any driving style Normal this mode closely resembles familiar driving characteristics, such as the coasting experience of an internal combustion engine. Range activates one pedal drive function, which optimizes regenerative braking to capture more energy when coasting, and Sherpa interesting choice of names maximizes energy efficiency to ensure that the driver reaches their planned destination or nearest charging station. This last mode adjusts various parameters, such as limiting the vehicle to a top speed of 50 miles an hour and reducing power from 87 kilowatts to 57 kilowatts. Full throttle delivers full power if requested. The 500E features one pedal driving and experience unique to battery electric vehicles. This uses the electric motor and regenerative braking to provide stop-and-go function only using the accelerator pedal, which is pretty cool when you get used to it. The feature also provides greater capture of energy that would normally be lost and uses electricity later for propulsion, which is ideal for low-speed urban traffic. The technology pairs the e-coasting and management of the vehicle deceleration to further increase energy efficiency. With an EPA driving range of 142 miles, the 500E achieves 3.55 miles per kilowatt hour at the high end of the middle of the pack when it comes to EVs. Cargo capacity is 7.51 cubic feet.
Speaker 2:Here's what I liked about the vehicle. First thing I found that in the real world my range was slightly better than advertised, but not by much. What drive mode the modder selects will indeed impact your range. For example, fully charge the maximum range. It can be had by selecting the Sherpa mode, but with limitations. For me that was 177 miles. Range mode is where I believe most drivers will select and fully charged it turns in a range of 160 miles, while normal offers the widest band of performance. It also turns in the lowest range, fully charged, at 154 miles.
Speaker 2:As far as accommodations are concerned, the driver enjoys a good outward view of the road. Push button gear selection makes shifting a breeze. The small EV can hold its own at speed on the open road, but its limited range will implore you to slow down. The doors also feature an electric push button to open, although there's a manual handle located at the bottom of the doors to get out if need be. Bristling with safety equipment. The 500E also features a knife glove box, as well as wireless charging equipment. The 500E also features a knife glove box, as well as wireless charging.
Speaker 2:Here's what I didn't like about the vehicle there's no spare tire. The infotainment system, controls are small and the system is a bit quirky to use. The 50-50 split rear seats do not fold flat with the cargo floor. And speaking about the rear seat, think shelf more than actual seating for human beings back there of any size. And finally, I had a hard time justifying the price for this one, considering what you get. Bottom line it may be cute and stylish, but if you live north of Kansas City and or a rural setting where range of versatility are requirements for you, pass this one by. A small dealer body footprint in the United States gives me pause about factory support. Should something go sideways? Also and this may be more of a local thing here in Metro Des Moines, but when it comes to using a public charger, the Shell Recharge app and our local utilities level three public chargers are not totally frictionless. Improvements are definitely required.
Speaker 2:Since, living in Iowa, I had to charge that vehicle almost every day. I drove it, which I found to be an irritation, which could also be a challenge for those in urban motorists that the name plate is aiming at with this vehicle, particularly if you don't have access to a public charging station. They would most likely be apartment dwellers and we have discussed the challenges of EV ownership within those parameters. The base manufacturer's suggested retail price for the 2024 Fiat 500e starts from $32,500 for the red model and up to $36,000 for the Inspired by Los Angeles model. Destination charges add $1,595. I drove this vehicle for a week and while I've driven other EVs, I haven't had to charge one every single day. The only claim to fame for me is that I am within three miles of a bank of public chargers. Now I've used these chargers with other makes before with varying degrees of success. Some were seamless, and that would be the Genesis models. Some were problematic. That would be more like Volvo, and Fiat was probably the most problematic using the same EV charging setup, and I'm not really sure why it is. But I'm hoping, between the EV manufacturers and everybody, to get it together. With all this talk about AI lately, perhaps we should have a discussion about ethics. That's next.
Speaker 2:This is the Tech Mobility Show. Do you listen to podcasts? Seems that most people do. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. If you've missed any of our weekly episodes on the radio, our podcast is a great way to listen. You can find the Tech Mobility Podcast just about anywhere you can enjoy podcasts. Be sure to follow us from Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio and many platforms in between. We are there. Just enter the Tech Mobility Podcast in the search bar. Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media it's the place to be. We're no exception. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. Several times a week, I post to TikTok several of the topics that I cover on my weekly radio show. It's another way to keep up on mobility, technology news and information. I've built quite a library of short videos for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe. That's the Tech Mobility Show on TikTok. Check it out.
Speaker 2:Artificial intelligence, better known as AI it seems to be everywhere at once and infused into just about any application or workflow you can think of. Question is, with this rush to incorporate a system that can process and manipulate vast quantities of information, where are the checks and balances that assure that misuse and evil intent are minimized. This is topic B For the research that I did for this segment. We are going into the weeds. We've got a rope. Everybody hold onto the rope, we're going to be fine. The source document is a paper prepared, released by the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, and while it goes into way more detail than we have time to talk about here, consider this part one, because it's going to take me a few segments to work my way through everything that they brought up, and even now, as time permits, during this segment I'm going to only be able to hit the highlights of this 20-page document because it's very pithy. So they start with an example. I'm going to share this example because I think it's very relevant.
Speaker 2:The possibility of creating thinking machines raises a host of ethical issues. These questions relate to both in assuring that such machines do not harm humans and other morally relevant beings and to the moral status of the machines themselves. There you go. Now here's the example. Imagine in the near future, a bank using machine learning algorithm to recommend mortgage applications for approval. A rejected applicant brings a lawsuit against the bank, alleging that the algorithm is discriminating racially against mortgage applicants.
Speaker 2:The bank replies. This is impossible, since the algorithm is deliberately blinded to the rates of the applicants Indeed, that was part of the bank's rationale for implementing the system. Even so, statistics show that the bank's approval rate for black applicants has been steadily dropping. Submitting 10 apparently equally qualified genuine applicants, as determined by a separate panel of human judges, shows that the algorithm accepts white applicants and rejects black applicants. What could possibly be happening? This is a ethical question they're asking under the heading of ethics and machine learning and other dominion-specific AI algorithms. Here's our answer for your consideration. They readily admit that finding an answer may not be easy. If the machine learning algorithm is based on a complicated neural network or genetic algorithm produced by directed evolution, then it may prove nearly impossible to understand why or even how the algorithm is judging applicants based on their race, or even how the algorithm is judging applicants based on their race.
Speaker 2:The point that they're making is that AI algorithms play an increasingly large role in modern society, though usually not labeled AI, and the previous scenario that we just described may even be transpiring as this is being written. It will become increasingly important to develop AI algorithms that are not just powerful and scalable the next three words but are also transparent to inspection, to name one of many socially important properties. Transparent to inspection, in other words. How did AI arrive at that result? What information went into that decision? What machine, what model? What information went into the machine learning model or the foundation model that it used in order to develop the algorithms that it used to screen and evaluate potential applicants as opposed to risk? And why, in this case, in this hypothetical, did race screen out, even though they claimed to have gone to great lengths to make it blind to race, yet race shakes out. I will say it like this it depends on what information went into the system and that the machine may have found patterns that are just so systemic that people just didn't see them, that people didn't recognize because it was over such a large data set. That is how AI learns. It learns. Machine learning means it takes large volumes of data and analyzes it for patterns and trends and then, based on what it learns and how it finds it and the parameters set by the programmers, it spins out results. And a lot of times two words again machine learning. It means less parameters by the programmers and more hey. It means less parameters by the programmers and more hey, here's a bunch of data. Let us know what you learned. That's a problem.
Speaker 2:Some challenges of machine ethics are much like many other challenges involved in designing machines. Designing a robot arm to avoid crushing stray humans is no more morally fraught than designing a flame-retardant sofa. It involves new programming challenges, but no new ethical challenges. But when AI algorithms take on a cognitive work with social dimensions, cognitive tasks previously performed by humans, the AI algorithm inherits the social requirements. It would surely be frustrating to find that no bank in the world would approve your seemingly excellent loan application and nobody knows why and no one can find out, even in principle. Who knows? Transparency is not the only desirable feature of AI. It is also important that AI algorithms take over social functions to be predictable to those they govern. They liken this to the legal system, which is based on precedent, precedent being that they don't want to make waves, that it should be predictable outcomes, particularly in corporate law. Here's another point they make.
Speaker 2:It is also increasingly important that AI algorithms be robust against manipulation. A machine vision system to scan airline luggage for bombs must be robust against human adversaries deliberately searching for exploitable flaws in the algorithm. For example, a shape that placed next to a pistol in one's luggage would neutralize the recognition of it. Robustness against manipulation is an ordinary criterion in information security, nearly the criterion. But and this is a big but it is not a criterion that appears often in the machine learning journals, which are more interested in how an algorithm scales up on larger parallel systems, meaning the machine learning journals and the engineers that control machine learning foundation models, in other words, the information it feeds into the algorithms in order to get results out. It's not taking this into consideration. So we've got transparent to inspection, predictable to those they govern and robust against manipulation.
Speaker 2:These are three major values that AI going in particularly now need to have. You need to be able to find out how they got there. It shouldn't be a black box saying, hey, we put information in, information came out, we don't know what it did. Ah, that's not going to fly. It needs to be predictable. It can't hallucinate or get weird. It needs to be predictable in how it approaches and how it delivers results and then it needs to be robust against manipulation. Human beings will always try, try, try, try to beat the system. It's just a thing with us and it needs to detect that, recognize that and respond to that so it doesn't basically get fooled. And then it asks a question and we'll get to that next time.
Speaker 2:As this script is being written, hurricane Milton is poised to make landfall, but the impact of extreme weather is often understated. We are the Tech Mobility Show. To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings of the Tech Mobility Show by visiting techmobilityshow. That's techmobility. show.
Speaker 4:You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobility. show.
Speaker 2:Did you know that Tech Mobility has a YouTube channel? Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. Each week, I upload a few short videos of some of the hot topics that I cover during my weekly radio program. I've designed these videos to be informative and entertaining. It's another way to keep up on current mobility and technology news and information. Be sure to watch, like and subscribe to my channel. That's the Tech Mobility Show on YouTube Check it out.
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Speaker 2:Social media is the place to be these days, and we're no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Instagram videos, from the latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary on a variety of mobility and technology-related topics. Here's a question for you what is the most dangerous part of a hurricane? Here's the answer when it degrades into a slow-moving tropical storm. And that right.
Speaker 2:There is the problem about the current hurricane category rating system when assessing risks to people and property. This is topic C. We haven't even begun to assess the level of damage caused by Hurricane Helene. And now, as I am speaking to you, as we were recording this program, right now we are in the middle of the throes of Hurricane Milton and we won't know, probably for another two or three days, all the damage it has wrought on central Florida and points north. But here's the problem. Let me give you, as I usually do, some perspective. While the hurricane category rating system talks about wind and certainly that's something to worry about, consider this there are other dangers that can be more deadly than wind. Of the 455 deaths caused by hurricanes from 2013 to 2023, only 12% were caused by wind, 11% more by storm surges. 55% of that 455 folks who died, 252 were caused by flooding due to rain, and that's according to the National Hurricane Center.
Speaker 2:As the climate warms, americans can expect to see wetter, stronger and slower moving storms that may be more likely to intrude farther inland, western North Carolina, for example. Those folks thought they could never be touched. They're miles from the tidewater, they're miles from the Outer Banks, they're miles. They're in the mountains of Western North Carolina, they are in the Appalachian Mountains. Asheville took a direct hit and they didn't think that Asheville would ever be subject to the kind of damage that the coast of North Carolina and the outer banks and those islands are subject to on a recurring basis. But yet here we are. Here's the problem. Americans hear Category 3, category 4, category 5 storm. Oh, that's bad. Oh, my God, it's really bad. The worst part, while the wind is certainly critical and should be considered the worst part of this whole thing, is how fast it's moving and what happens when it's no longer classified as a hurricane. Let me give you an example you've never heard of.
Speaker 2:About 10 days before Helene struck, a different tropical storm caused extensive flooding in southeastern North Carolina. That storm fell short of the wind speeds required of a hurricane. It didn't even receive an official name or category rating and it was termed, and I quote, potential tropical cyclone eight. That was it. The unnamed storm has severe effects. Some locations saw 20 inches of rain. There were flash floods on the Carolina beach. Parts of Brunswick County saw extreme flooding that lasted for days. Roads were washed out. County saw extreme flooding that lasted for days. Roads were washed out. One river had its second highest levels on record, exceeded only by Hurricane Florence's flood levels. I'm letting that sink in for a minute. That wasn't even a hurricane, didn't even have a name - potential tropical cyclone eight. You've never heard of it of. If you're in southeastern North Carolina, you have.
Speaker 2:Not having a name was a problem, they say at the National Hurricane Center, because it made it harder to communicate its risk to the public. Tropical storms, they say in its unfortunate language. They say, oh, the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm. They say, oh, the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm, downgraded implying that, oh, it's less dangerous. Now, that's not true as a matter of fact. If anything, particularly if that storm slows down and stalls the amount of rain flooding, particularly if the ground is already saturated with water from previous events, you've got a catastrophe on the likes of disasters that people are saying are once in a lifetime that are appearing two and three times.
Speaker 2:Helene hit two weeks ago. Milton is following almost the same path and is going to impact a lot of the same people who were still digging out. The stuff that got damaged in Helene was curbside. If the city didn't get it now it's going to be part of the projectiles and the dangerous mix being thrown around by Hurricane Milton, which means even more deadly. And with the rain I mean the rain overwhelms sewage systems, overwhelms other toxic waste and all kinds of nasty chemicals in that water. You can get sick, you can get hurt, you can get killed, either by something in the water that either pulls you under or taps you or pins you or crushes you this is what's going on or even the severe speed of swollen rivers that wash away You've seen it on the news Washed away cars and trucks, people, some being rescued, some not so much.
Speaker 2:There is no simple, widely used numerical scale to communicate a hurricane's potential to cause flooding, as there is to communicate its wind speed. That's a problem. Some scientists have developed new metrics to try to capture a hurricane's rain risk. But the National Hurricane Center understandably doesn't want to confuse the public with multiple rating scales. Let me help you with this. National Hurricane Center understandably doesn't want to confuse the public with multiple rating scales. Let me help you with this National Hurricane Center. You can give me a category and also some sort of rating on water, kind of a one-two punch.
Speaker 2:I think that we can handle it. I really really do, particularly with all this that's happening to us right now, because, honestly, the full impact of a hurricane is not just the wind, it's its rain capability, how fast it's moving, how much rain is dropping, if anything. That's even worse. Give you an example In Asheville, a storm that occurs on average once in a thousand years is predicted to bring 11.4 inches of rain in three days, but during Helene, the airport's weather station recorded nearly 14 inches of rain during that duration. 14 inches of rain.
Speaker 2:Now, the National Hurricane Center does have some measurement of how much water is coming, but they don't really talk about that unless it's really really really, really, really bad, and I think they need to. And then they talked about the four ratings marginal, slight, moderate and high risk, and I would love to see that as part of wind speed, when you're talking about category along with extreme rainfall risk. I think that is a fantastic combination and they're going to get better with their prediction, starting in 2026, with more current data. That includes climate change. Their current data does not. When they're forecasting this by 2026, it will. But yeah, it's the water folks, not the wind. We have come to the end of our visit. Be sure to join me again right here next time. This has been the Tech Mobility Show.
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Speaker 2:For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have just the one for you. Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Tech Mobility Topics is a podcast where I upload topic-specific videos each week, shorter than a full show. These bite-sized programs are just the thing, particularly if you're interested in a particular topic covered on the weekly radio show. From Apple Podcasts to iHeartRadio and many podcast platforms in between, we got you covered. Just enter TechMobility topics in the search bar. Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place to be, and we're no exception. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the TechMobility show. Several times a week, I post to TikTok several of the topics that I cover on my weekly radio show. It's another way to keep up on mobility technology news and information. I've built quite a library of short videos for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe. That's the Tech Mobility Show on TikTok. Check it out. To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings of the Tech Mobility Show by visiting techmobilityshow. That's techmobilityshow. That's techmobilityshow. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobilityshow.
Speaker 2:Do you listen to podcasts? Seems that most people do. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. If you've missed any of our weekly episodes on the radio, our podcast is a great way to listen. You can find the TechMobility podcast just about anywhere. You can enjoy podcasts. Be sure to follow us from Apple Podcasts, iheartradio and many platforms in between. We are there. Just enter the TechMobility podcast in the search bar, wherever you listen to podcasts.
