Podcasts – Page 12 – RPM News Weekly

Toyota Highlander Limited Offers No Limits To Enjoyment

4-07-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Even though COVID-19 has put restrictions on extensive test driving, Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis still managed to give the 2020 Toyota Highlander Limited a satisfactory workout. Enough so that, with all of its elegance and serenity, yet commanding V6 performance, the Highlander left him wishing he had more places to go. No matter, listen in for a run down of its many features.

Also in this week’s episode, there’s technology news about companies such as Tesla and Husky Corporation stepping forward with new ways to manufacture much needed ventilators to assist COVID-19 patients struggling with breathing. Plus, the Mayo Clinic has put autonomous vehicles in service to shuttle corona virus tests.

The program wraps ups this week with a feature about a new elastic hearing implant that conforms to the curved surface of the auditory nerve utilizing a technique based on the Japanese paper cutting art of Kirigami.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Toyota Highlander

photos courtesy of Toyota Media
XLE and Platinum trims featured in the above images

Features Of The Toyota Highlander Limited As Tested

3.5-liter V6 Engine
295 Horsepower ; 263 lb.-ft. of Torque
All Wheel Drive
8-speed Automatic Transmission
Leather Interior
Seats 8 Passengers
Multi-Terrain Select Control
Pedestrian Detection
Radar Cruise Control
Blind Spot Detection
Parking Assist
Lane Departure Alert
LED Headlights / Taillights
20 City / 27 Highway / 23 Combined MPG
JBL Audio System
12.3-inch Touchscreen
$48, 483 As Driven

RAM 1500 & Subaru Legacy Tout Safety First

3-31-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

This week’s edition of Tech Talk opens with news of tech adaptations from New Balance and Bauer Hockey to fight the Corona virus pandemic. Good news for sure. Commentator Rick DeMeis then pluralizes the Ride Of The Week feature, giving us insights into both the RAM 15500 Laramie Crew Cab pickup and the Subaru Legacy Premium edition. One might be inclined to think that these two vehicles couldn’t more different considering the RAM 1500 boasts a hefty 5.7-liter V8 HEMI powerplant while the Legacy does quite well with it’s reliable 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. But where they have something more in common than four wheels is in their each earning a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Stay tuned for more Automotive News, too, with a report from the University of California-Riverside about an EV battery-saving algorithm, and there’s a brief update on Elon Musk’s Starship adventures and a $20K drone competition from NASA. A mention of a PSA video with Moe Howard, which we include below, might help relieve some stress yet be informative. Then, to finish off this edition of the podcast, there’s news of Bell Helicopter developing a new system to replace the tail rotor of a helicopter.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Tech Adaptations To Fight Corona Virus

New Balance Masks
Shoe manufacturer volunteers to make face masks.

Bauer Hockey Face Shields
Filling orders for medical and emergency personnel becomes top priority.

Ride of the Week #1:

2020 RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab

photos courtesy of FCA Media

Ride of the Week #2:

2020 Subaru Legacy Premium

photos courtesy of Subaru Media

Automotive News:

U Cal Riverside EV Battery Charging Algorithm

Musk Minute:

Starship Test Anticipated

In Other Tech News

NASA Langley Drone Competition

PSA featuring Moe Howard

Bell EDAT Four Electric Motor Tail Rotor Helicopter

COVID-19 Stalls Global Auto Events

RPM News Podcast 3-15-20

Keeping the conversation informative yet upbeat in this very challenging period of time for everyone, RPM commentators Rich Taber and Peter Ciani open the discussion with updates on how the corona virus has altered 2020 auto events around the globe. The dialogue then turns to their recent experiences with a run of vehicles from Hyundai. From there, an electric snowblower purchase melts into a bit of ruminating on the EV landscape. Things wrap up with a rundown of developments across RPM News channels. Have a listen and jump into the discussion by leaving a comment.

Segment Locations On The Scrub Bar

00:00 Introduction
01:20 Auto Events Postponed/Cancelled
14:50 Hyundai Elantra Sport
24:38 Hyundai Kona
30:35 Going Electric
35:45 Does Tesla Have An Edge?
42:23 RPM News Channel Developments
47:50 Hyundai Venue – Stay Tuned

Hyundai Elantra Sport

Hyundai Kona

FIA Formula E

The New York International Auto Show

Wrangler Rubicon Heeds Call Of The Off-Road

3-03-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Built to get to four people to some of the most extreme places on the planet, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon gives Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis a full immersion into its symphony of bells and whistles. Whether one plans to go off-road into the snowy wilderness or sun bathe in a dose of early spring weather while driving with the panels off, this is one 4X4 that doesn’t come up short.
But don’t turn off the audio, yet. There’s more automotive news with highlights from a NEMPA event featuring the redesigned Nissan Titan, a new study from iseecars.com, the weekly Musk Minute and advancements in battery technology and autonomous vehicle intelligence from Rensselaer Poly Tech and MIT, respectively.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.