{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"Elmo's Not Just a Muppet: Estonia's Remote Driving Solution","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/elmo-s-not-just-a-muppet-estonia-s-remote-driving-solution","audioUrl":"https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/246908/episodes/17376046-elmo-s-not-just-a-muppet-estonia-s-remote-driving-solution.mp3","description":"The future of transportation isn't what you think. While autonomous vehicles grab headlines, a different revolution is already happening – remote driving technology that puts humans behind virtual wheels, controlling vehicles from anywhere on earth.Speaking with Enn Lanoo, CEO of Estonia-based Elmo Remote Driving, we discovered a technology that's not just theoretical but actively deployed and road-legal since 2022. Unlike the still-developing autonomous systems, Elmo's technology creates a seamless connection between remote drivers and vehicles, with applications spanning car rentals, taxis, mining operations, and even defense sectors in conflict zones.What makes this technology particularly fascinating is its practical approach to solving real transportation problems. Imagine renting a car that arrives at your doorstep, driven remotely by an operator who then relinquishes control to you. When you're finished, you simply end your session, and a teledriver takes over again. For taxi services, companies can tap into global workforce pools, potentially transforming the economics of an industry perpetually challenged by driver shortages.The affordability is striking – retrofitting costs approximately 10% of a vehicle's value, working with both gasoline and electric vehicles. The only real limitation is manual transmissions, which would require robotic manipulation to operate remotely.Beyond the transportation industry insights, our show featured Jeff's fascinating exploration of rare muscle car colors – from the eye-catching Pink Panther Duster to the screaming Orbit Orange GTO that collectors now pursue with passion. And as Texas temperatures climb, Mars shared perfect swimming destinations across the state where you can cool off, from Austin's historic Deep Eddy Pool to the pristine Blue Hole in Wimberley.Want to learn more about how remote driving technology could transform your business or daily transportation? Visit elmoremote.com and discover how this Estonian innovation is changing the way we think about who's really behind the wheel.Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!---- ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time? In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy! Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.----- -----Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltimehttps://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTimeFor more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at info@inwheeltime.com"},"annotations":[{"startTime":39.689,"endTime":62.571,"type":"car","title":"Lancia Kappa","url":"/cars/lancia/kappa","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/1998_Lancia_Kappa_3.0_SP25.jpg","quote":"... once in this program for a few minutes with Nick Kappa and I apologize for that, but you know it never f...","canonicalId":"car:lancia:kappa","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1234.843,"endTime":1237.682,"type":"car","title":"Dacia Duster","url":"/cars/dacia/duster","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Dacia_Duster%2C_GIMS_2024%2C_Le_Grand-Saconnex_%28GIMS0126%29.jpg","quote":"...at codes they are, but here we go. 1970, plymouth Duster. We call this the Pink Panther, the 1970 Plymouth...","canonicalId":"car:dacia:duster","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}},{"startTime":1269.385,"endTime":1275.92,"type":"car","title":"Plymouth Cuda","url":"/cars/plymouth/cuda","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/1971_Plymouth_%27cuda_%2854411683667%29.jpg","quote":"... 1970. The next one on the block is a 70 Plymouth Cuda who figured In violet code FC7. Now in violet, al...","canonicalId":"car:plymouth:cuda","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Mustang Joe (CC0)"}},{"startTime":1305.64,"endTime":1312.446,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Chevelle","url":"/cars/chevrolet/chevelle","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/1970_Chevrolet_Chevelle_Malibu_4-dr%2C_front_left.jpg","quote":"I'd drive it. Next one 70, chevelle SS in Tuxedo Black, which is paint code 10. Tuxed...","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:chevelle","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)"}},{"startTime":1317.992,"endTime":1328.78,"type":"car","title":"Rolls-Royce Phantom","url":"/cars/rolls-royce/phantom","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/1936_Rolls-Royce_Phantom_III_Landaulet%2C_Classic-Gala_2025%2C_Schwetzingen_%2820250906-P1049456%29.jpg","quote":"...Chevelle. Gm's bright hues like Cranberry Red and Phantom Blue dominated the dealer lots, while fewer than ...","canonicalId":"car:rolls-royce:phantom","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}},{"startTime":1407.968,"endTime":1414.748,"type":"car","title":"Ford Fairlane","url":"/cars/ford/fairlane","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/1955_Ford_Fairlane_Victoria.jpg","quote":"That's nice. Another favorite of mine is a 66 Fairlane GT, ember Glow, code V. Ford's Ember Glow was one...","canonicalId":"car:ford:fairlane","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"User:Morven (CC BY-SA 3.0)"}},{"startTime":1444.202,"endTime":1451.362,"type":"car","title":"Pontiac Gto","url":"/cars/pontiac/gto","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/00_2510_Pontiac_GTO.jpg","quote":"...oduction line. And the last one is my favorite 70 Pontiac GTO in what Orbit Orange, code 5. Looks yellow 05.","canonicalId":"car:pontiac:gto","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"W. Bulach (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Michael Marrs","role":"host"},{"id":"s3","name":"Jeff Dziekan","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/elmo-s-not-just-a-muppet-estonia-s-remote-driving-solution/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}