AI, Trade Agreements and the Economics Behind Mobility with Kristin Dziczek, Senior Policy Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Overhead camshafts (OHC) are an engine design where the camshaft(s) sit in the cylinder head instead of lower in the engine block. That layout can improve how precisely the engine controls valve timing, which helps performance and efficiency. Many modern engines use OHC because it supports higher revving and more advanced valve control.

A crankshaft is the rotating shaft inside an engine that converts the up-and-down motion of the pistons into rotational motion. It’s central to how an engine produces usable power to drive the wheels. When people talk about “crankshaft” tech, they’re usually referring to strength, bearing design, and how smoothly it can spin at high RPM.

Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled remotely or autonomously, often using onboard sensors and GPS. In mobility policy discussions, drones usually come up as a potential new way to move people or deliver goods. The relevance is that the same AI, connectivity, and safety engineering themes can carry over from cars to air mobility.

“Mobility industry” is a broader framing than “automotive industry,” covering all the ways people and goods move—cars, public transit, logistics, and increasingly drones and other connected systems. The concept matters because it changes what counts as competition and innovation: not just new car models, but new transportation services and infrastructure. That’s why the speaker ties together electrification, self-driving, and drones under one umbrella.

“Drive themselves” points to autonomous driving systems—software and sensors that can control steering, acceleration, and braking without continuous human input. In automotive terms, this is typically discussed as levels of automation, from driver assistance to fully autonomous operation. The big mobility implication is that vehicles can be used differently (and potentially more efficiently) than conventional cars.

“Electric powered” refers to vehicles that use electric motors for propulsion, typically via a battery and power electronics. In mobility discussions, this usually means battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and sometimes plug-in hybrids, depending on context. The key shift is that propulsion and energy management are handled electrically rather than by an internal-combustion engine.

Electrification rates describe how quickly transportation is shifting from gasoline/diesel to electric power (usually measured by EV sales share, EV adoption, or charging infrastructure growth). Policy and economics discussions often focus on whether that transition is happening fast enough to meet environmental and energy goals. The phrase implies a measurable pace, not just the existence of EV technology.

Ford is a legacy automaker that the host credits with creating a “Skunkworks” effort in California. The point is that established automakers are trying to break from older processes to develop new manufacturing and EV strategies.

GM is General Motors, a major legacy automaker. In this segment, it’s mentioned as an example of a traditional automaker trying to change how it builds cars and software.

“Skunkworks” refers to a small, semi-independent team set up to develop new technology quickly, often outside normal corporate processes. In the segment, it’s used to describe Ford’s attempt to rethink car manufacturing to reduce EV costs.

EV stands for electric vehicle—cars (and sometimes trucks) powered primarily by electric motors and batteries. The host connects EV development to manufacturing cost reduction and to how legacy automakers are reorganizing software and product development.

VTOL means vertical takeoff or landing, describing aircraft that can lift off and land vertically instead of needing a runway. The host frames VTOL as potentially “revolutionary” for mobility, while noting manufacturers may prefer the technical term over “drones.”

Last mile delivery is the final step of getting goods from a local hub to the customer’s doorstep. The segment treats it as a key “new mobility” use case where small vehicles and automation can reduce delivery friction and cost.

Electric scooters are small, battery-powered personal mobility devices used for short trips, often in cities. In this segment, they’re cited as part of “new mobility” options that move people and goods differently than traditional cars.

E-bikes are bicycles with an electric motor that assists pedaling, typically using a rechargeable battery. The host mentions them as a growing category of “pedal vehicles” that can make commuting easier without relying on a car.

In automotive and mobility contexts, autonomy refers to vehicles or robots operating with minimal or no human control. The host connects autonomy to real-world delivery experiments using small autonomous vehicles that navigate sidewalks.

Ann Arbor is a city in Michigan where the host says autonomous delivery vehicles have already been demonstrated. It’s used as an example of real-world testing for new mobility tech.

Domino’s is a pizza delivery brand used here as an example of a company experimenting with autonomous delivery. The host is describing a delivery setup where small autonomous vehicles drive around to deliver orders.

The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV from Ford, designed for everyday driving with a comfortable ride and practical interior space. It often comes up in discussions about mainstream SUVs because it targets buyers who want something bigger than a compact SUV but not as large as a full-size model. In a podcast, it may be mentioned as part of the broader conversation about how different automakers position their “family” vehicles and feature sets.