Smart Driving Cars episode 404 with special guests from ITN America
About this episode
A deep dive into ITN America, a nonprofit transportation network focused on providing mobility for older adults and those with mobility challenges. Founder Catherine Freund and volunteer Marianne Sturtevant share their experiences, highlighting the importance of community-driven transportation and the social connections formed through rides. The discussion also touches on the role of technology in enhancing service efficiency and the unique rides that go beyond medical appointments, emphasizing the value of independence and quality of life for seniors.
ITN America has been providing mobility to older adults who need rides for thirty years. How? Founder and CEO Katherine Freund and volunteer Marian Sturtevant join Princeton's Alain Kornhauser and co-host Fred Fishkin for that plus the latest on Tesla, Waymo, Handy Rides and more.
Tesla
"...perhaps another headline for us to touch on here. Tesla is testing driverless robot taxis,..."
Tesla is a company that makes electric cars. They are known for being very advanced and are working on cars that can drive themselves without a driver.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company founded by Elon Musk and others. It is known for its innovative electric cars and advancements in autonomous driving technology.
driverless robot taxis
"...Tesla is testing driverless robot taxis,..."
Driverless robot taxis are cars that can drive themselves without anyone inside to control them. They use special technology to find their way around and pick up passengers.
Driverless robot taxis are autonomous vehicles designed to transport passengers without a human driver. They use advanced sensors and software to navigate and operate safely in various environments.
autopilot
"...the naming of auto, pilot and FSD misled customers or potential customers into believing vehicles were fully automated..."
Autopilot is a feature in Tesla cars that helps with driving, like keeping the car in its lane and adjusting speed. However, it still needs the driver to be alert and ready to take control.
Autopilot is a driver-assistance system developed by Tesla that provides features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, but it does not make the vehicle fully autonomous.
FSD
"...the naming of auto, pilot and FSD misled customers or potential customers into believing vehicles were fully automated..."
FSD means Full Self-Driving, which is a feature in Tesla cars that is supposed to allow them to drive themselves. However, drivers still need to pay attention and be ready to take control.
FSD stands for Full Self-Driving, a feature offered by Tesla that aims to enable fully autonomous driving capabilities, though it currently requires driver supervision.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.