The TechMobility Podcast
Welcome to The TechMobility Podcast, your ultimate source for authentic insights, news, and perspectives at the nexus of mobility and technology. We're all about REAL FACTS, REAL OPINIONS, and REAL TALK! From personal privacy to space hotels, if it moves or moves you, we're discussing it! Our weekly episodes venture beyond the conventional, offering a unique, unfiltered take on the topics that matter. We're not afraid to color outside the lines, and we believe you'll appreciate our bold approach!
The TechMobility Podcast
Luxury on Wheels: Acura TLX Type S Review, Honda's Bold EV Plans, and Innovative Modular Cabins
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode!
Ever wondered how a luxury sedan can transform your driving experience? Buckle up as I take you through an exhilarating review of the Acura TLX Type S, a car that's as fun to drive as it is to look at. I'll walk you through its standout features, from the powerful 3-liter twin-scroll turbo V6 engine to its sophisticated suspension system. There are also some quirks you'll want to know about before you take this beauty for a spin.
But that's not all—we're diving into Honda's ambitious $64 billion bet on electric vehicles. Find out how their strategic partnership with General Motors is setting the stage for a future dominated by sustainable mobility. We'll discuss Honda's meticulous plans to roll out a new series of EVs and their goal to reach a 5% sales return by 2030. This chapter is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of electric cars and Honda's role in it.
Lastly, prepare to be inspired by the story of Ben Stenson, who transformed a historic woolen mill in the Berkshires into a hub for luxurious tiny homes. Learn how Ben's innovative modular cabin project is blending local craftsmanship with sustainability, creating a unique franchise model that's set to revolutionize the hospitality industry. From Elon Musk's ambitious AI plans to high-design tiny homes, this episode is packed with insights and stories that you won't want to miss.
Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!
it's time for the TechMobility Show with Ken Chester. Ken is a veteran journalist who doesn't always color between the lines, so here he, the host with the electrified personality Ken Chester.
Speaker 2:Real facts, real opinions, real talk. Time again for The Tech Mobility Show, your program for news, information and perspective at the intersection of mobility and technology. I'm Ken Chester and, as always, we've got plenty to get to, so let's get started On the docket. A review of the super fun Acura TLX Type S sedan. Honda doubles down with its EV investment and high-design tiny homes. To add your voice to the conversation, be it to share an opinion, ask a question or even to suggest a topic for future discussion, call or text the Tech Mobility hotline, that number 872-222-9793. Or you can email the show. Talk at techmobilityshow, and that is talk at techmobilityshow. Be sure to check us out on social media and catch the program wherever you. Listen to podcasts From the Tech Mobility News Desk.
Speaker 2:I want to talk about Elon Musk. No, I'm not talking about Tesla. No, I'm not talking about SpaceX. And no, I'm not even talking about The Boring Company. Oh. No, I want to talk about his latest venture called XAI, in case you didn't know it, this company which is working with AI. They plan to build a gigafactory of compute by the fall of next year using 100,000 NVIDIA's H100 GPUs. Let that sink in for a minute. Let me explain what I just said. Now, elon Musk loves using that term gigafactory. Whether he's building cars or whether he's building this or that, it's always a gigafactory. But in this case, it is the real deal.
Speaker 2:We've talked about AI. Probably you're probably sick of hearing about AI, but whether or not it's with us to stay, one thing that you may not have realized about AI it is a power hog. It takes a lot of electricity to manipulate AI, particularly in these big factories where they're computing, running large language models and just crunching data. And that's really what AI does it gathers, it crunches, it manipulates data, a lot of data. Nvidia's H100 is not their leading chip. It's up there, but it's not the leading, leading one, and it's a method to Elon's madness. These are chips that are available now and with the amount that he needs, they're good enough. If he waited for the most recent chip, which would give him additional capacity, he would not be able to get it in the volume that he wants, because, of course, everybody wants the newest, the fastest. So he couldn't wait for the H200, or he couldn't wait for the fancy Blackwell GPUs. Nuh-uh, he's rolling with what he's got, and that is this startup.
Speaker 2:This XAI, plans to build a massive supercomputer to enhance its AI chatbot, grok and in case you didn't know what Grok was, it is his attempted AI that if you belong to X, which used to be called Twitter, you could actually use Grok and ask Grok about things. Interesting side note I did just that once. I asked Grok to tell me about my company, and it did a fair job. I asked it to tell me about my previous my immediately previous company. It did an okay job. Then I asked Rock to tell me about my first company that I started over 30 years ago, and it gave me this beautiful and complete and full description of how the company was founded, what it was doing, how it advanced in the future, who it teamed up with and what it's doing now. It was beautiful, it was impressive. It was completely and utterly 100% false. It wrote all of this stuff. All of it was wrong, all of it. So, yeah, he's got some work to do, but it takes a lot of power to do that.
Speaker 2:This gigafactory of compute, which is what he calls it, is projected to be ready again by fall of next year and might involve a collaboration with Oracle. With this development, elon Musk aims to significantly surpass rival GPU clusters, both in size and capabilities. This 100,000 of the NVIDIA's H100 GPUs are based on the Hopper architecture, making it at least four times larger than the largest existing GPU clusters, according to the information. Largest existing GPU clusters. According to the information, nvidia's H100 GPUs are highly sought after in the AI data-centered chip market, although strong demand made them difficult to obtain last year. But these are not the range-topping NVIDIA's GPUs. They once were with the green company about to ship its H200 compute GPUs for HI and HPC applications and is preparing to ship its Blackwell-based B100 and B200 GPUs in the second half of the year.
Speaker 2:Now this piece wonders and it says it's unclear why XAI decided to essentially use a previous generation technology for its 2025 supercomputer. But this substantial hardware investment must reflect the scale of XAI's ambitions. That's easy for me to explain. This stuff's available now and is going to be at lower price, and he can get it. He can always upgrade. If he can get next to good in the volume that he wants. Suddenly, because everybody's chasing the new bright thing, then he can lock in a contract with NVIDIA for these. Nvidia continues to make money and he gets the quantity he wants. He doesn't have to fight everybody else, which means he can get bigger, faster, stronger, longer. That's common sense.
Speaker 2:Xai seeks to compete directly with AI giants like OpenAI and Google. Musk, who also co-founded OpenAI and I didn't know that positions XAI as a formidable challenger in AI space, which is exactly why he needs the upcoming computer. The Grok 2 model required around 20,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs for training and future iterations, such as Grok 3, which will need as many as 100,000 GPUs, according to Musk, a five-time increase. Oracle would not confirm the collaboration when approached, so it kind of leaves open XPEX's partnership and the project open to speculation. Nonetheless, musk's recent presentation of investors underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI technology through substantial infrastructure investment and strategic partnerships.
Speaker 2:People, AI is here to stay. You can make peace with it, learn how to use it or be a hater, but chances are, if you are using pretty much any office software, email software or anything, you're using some version of AI right now, whether you want to or not. And scrolling along on this AI tip, F ord is using factory AI to lift quality control results. Ford's had a problem with quality control recently, so they're spending money to have AI and put it into factories to perfect and resolve problems, either before they happen or resolve them quickly after they're detected, meaning again money. The more accurate and the more advanced things are, the lower cost, the lower warranty cost, the higher quality and the performance Ford does in all the surveys and Ford needed to spend the money. They give an example of a particular seal in an oil pump and how AI, using AI, would make sure that those pumps and those seals are properly placed and properly installed every single time. They estimate that at least 35 out of every and I forget how many were installed wrong. By eliminating that, that's 35 warranty claims they wouldn't have. Actually, what they said is the factory was installing an average of 35 pumps a month in its transmission with these defects.
Speaker 2:Today, this AI system is employed at 325 stations in 24 plants around the world. It's been programmed to perform the inspections on 463 types of manufacturing operations, from confirming the correct fitment of squish tubes in an oil pump to inspecting body panels such as hoods for warping. Ford is using it to validate battery installation and ensure secure wiring harness electrical connections. The system is even being used to detect when a part of a door latch mechanism the striker is missing. Okay, it's being used to verify the vehicles not only receive the proper badges and decals, but the decals are affixed in the exact same place every time. I didn't realize that was a problem in a Ford plant. Last year, in all of Ford's plants it performed more than 60 million inspections.
Speaker 2:Automakers can use AI in many ways. On the production lines. Ai uses photos, sound and vibration to root out defects, and it can review raw analytical data to identify assembly line bottlenecks. Ai is going to save money, people, and it's going to help them to build a better product. Every job, every time, every day, and they're going to continue to do it, and this is where we're going. This is the advantages of AI. It's all that information in usable form that they can use to measure against performance, and by being able to do that, they can find out when things deviate from where they're supposed to be. The Acura TLX Type S is the driver's car you've been waiting for. My review is next. You are listening to The Tech Mobility Show.
Speaker 3:Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and platforms for meetings, webinars and staying connected? Look no further than AONMeetingscom, the all-in-one browser-based platform that does it all. With AONmeetings, you can effortlessly communicate with clients, host virtual meetings and webinars and stay in touch with family and friends all in one place and for one price. Here's the best part you can enjoy a 30-day free trial. It's time to simplify your life and boost your productivity. Free trial it's time to simplify your life and boost your productivity AONmeetingscom where innovation meets connection.
Speaker 2:Get started today and revolutionize the way you communicate. Social media is the main place to be these days, and we are no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. 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. 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, 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. 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.
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 Tech Mobility Topics in the search bar wherever you listen to podcasts.
Speaker 4:Most people have something they're willing to pay a premium for. For some it's art, for some it's entertainment, for others it's travel. Acura. Some things are worth the price.
Speaker 2:Yeah, acura, infinity, were the two brands chasing Lexus in the early 1990s as the Japanese stepped up and all issued or all started luxury brands For Toyota, it was Lexus. For Honda, it was Acura. For Nissan, it was Acura for Nissan, it was Infinity. And they wanted to get all of these esoteric commercials about things that had nothing to do with the car. And this lightly has stuff to do with the car, but notice, it did not mention a model and it didn't mention anything about the performance of the car or even what model it was talking about, which, by the way, it was the Acura Legend, because this was a TV commercial. But the problem is, as they were trying to carve out a business case, americans were like who are you and what is this? And huh, infinity had it about the worst. Acura had a moment, but kind of seemed to work their way out of it. Lexus never had a doubt. They came, hit the ground running and they made sure everybody knew who they were, what they were about and who they were going after. And, as they say, the rest is history. So let's come to modern day. So let's come to modern day.
Speaker 2:According to the automaker, the Acura TLX Type S is the quickest, best handling all-oil drive sedan in the brand's 35-year history For 2024,. The luxury sports sedan delivers an even more exhilarating drive, with improved throttle response in the Sport Plus Drive mode and additional tech features, including a 10.5-inch head-up display and surround view camera. The Acura TLX is a four-door what it calls entry-level luxury sedan, which, at the same time, is considered the flagship sedan for the brand. Ok whatever, and it was introduced to the automakers lineup in 2014. Replacing both the TL and TSX models, the TLX is the mechanical sibling to the Honda Accord, designed at its Los Angeles design studio. The production version of the car was unveiled at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, manufactured at Honda's Marysville Ohio production facility. Sales of the new sedan started in August of that year. Sedan started in August of that year With the debut of the second generation TLX. For the 2021 model year, acura reintroduced the Type S variant after a decade-long hiatus.
Speaker 2:Available in technology, a-spec and S-type models, the Acura TLX has something for everybody. For the purposes of this review, however, my observations will focus on just the Type S model, powered by a 3-liter gasoline twin-scroll turbo V6 Prime mover, which makes 355 horsepower and 354 foot-pounds of torque. Torque is communicated to the drive wheels via 10-speed automatic transmission with sequential sport-shift paddle shifters. The automaker's iconic super handling all-wheel drive is standard on the Type S EPA fuel economy is 19 city 25. Highway. Cargo capacity is 13.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.
Speaker 2:The second generation TLX is built on its own new platform using a front double wishbone suspension with forged aluminum, lower control arms mounted to a cast aluminum damper towers and an aluminum subframe. To increase front suspension rigidity, a steel tubular strut bar connects with the front damper towers, together with two additional bars tying each tower to the cowl in a triangular arrangement. There's also a front subframe lower tie bar. All this attention to the control hardware makes for a fun time behind the wheel at speed. Here's what I liked about the vehicle.
Speaker 2:The Acura TLX Type S is a prolific road car, a high-speed highway campaigner. Not just the ride for those who love to drive, just the ride. Yeah, I have trouble talking. I'm so excited about this car, but it's just the ride for those who love to drive, where the trip itself is what it's about and not necessarily the destination. The sophisticated control hardware results in rock-solid handling and controlled speed, inspiring driver confidence. The Type S is ideally balanced, responsive to all driver inputs without overreacting. It feels planted and high-speed safe. The driver has three dynamic driving modes Normal, sport and Custom to further tailor a specific driving experience on demand. The beefy Pirelli Centurado P7 20-inch tires work their magic to keep the sedan connected to the road surface.
Speaker 2:Inside the passenger cabin, displays, controls and switchgear are generally user-friendly. The cabin is electronics-friendly too, with a wireless phone charger up front and sufficient USB ports for front and rear passengers. Seating is comfortable throughout the space, with both driver and front passenger seats able to fully recline. Front seating also includes both heated and ventilated modes. Rear legroom is decent, while the cargo area is roomy. A center rear armrest with molded dual cup holders, along with LCD lighting, makes the inside of a TLX a very accommodating place.
Speaker 2:Here's what I didn't like about the vehicle. In the midst of all this goodness, I found the entertainment center to be a bit fussy. To use. The Bluetooth interface with my Android phone was not the best, and although there was a well for a spare tire, my test car didn't have one. The dual releases for the split rear seat were located in the trunk, something I haven't seen since the 1980s. And then finally and this is weird the functionality for the split folding rear seat is limited by the type S cross base in the opening. So here's the bottom line, in spite of my stuttering, because I'm so excited about this car.
Speaker 2:The 2024 Acura TLX Type S is the best example of a sedan that seamlessly and effortlessly combines luxury and performance. And I did have to stutter to say that You're going to love it. I guarantee it. And if you love to drive, let me tell you something you owe yourself a test drive in this car. Trust me, once around the Type S and you'll never be the same. The base manufacturer suggested retail price for the 2024 Acura TLX Type S Sedan starts from $57,000. Destination charges add $1,895. Msrp is tested. 2024 Acura TLX Type S Sedan with the following extra cost options EP2, vehicle protection, all season mats, folding cargo tray and trunk tray. Total cost of the options $1,973. Total MSRP, including options and destination charges, came to $60,768. I'm going to tell you that is money well spent If you love to drive, if you enjoy a car that is almost intuitive and is instinctive behind the wheel at speed, no matter whether you're in the twisties or the long straightaways, it don't matter.
Speaker 2:You want this car. It is a joy to drive. It is a wonder and unfortunately it is becoming a rarer and rarer opportunity as automakers continue to move away from sedans to EVs and SUVs and crossovers and pickup trucks. If you enjoy driving a car and you enjoy a performance car that is going to coddle you in luxury, then trust me, you want this one and I wouldn't dally, because it's a wonderful car, but it's not one they make a lot of, so your chances of finding the one you want on the lot you might have to look, but it's worth a trip to the dealer. Ev sales may be down now, but Honda is doubling its investment in the technology.
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 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 no exception. Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Host 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 TechM obility show on Tiktok. Check it out.
Speaker 2:When it comes to the sales of EVs and the auto industry's commitment to the technology, don't believe everything you hear. The automotive industry is a capital-intensive, long lead-time business that demands that industry leaders play the long game, and this is what Honda is doing. This is Topic B. You want to know why we had a recent spate of EV manufacturing failures, companies that went belly up. Well, let me give you an example. Let me start with this number $64 billion. $64 billion that is the amount of money Honda is committing in the next five years EV s new plants, new processes, new models, new procedures, new everything. 64 billion dollars. That is not money that they are currently spending on their existing businesses. This is brand new for where they're going, not where they are, and I want you to know that because they only Honda only made last year income, profit last year $7.2 billion.
Speaker 2:I did not stutter, I said $64 billion. I did not stutter, I said $64 billion. Now, if you were to add all this up, you're going to need if you were going to be an EV manufacturer, serious about being in the game and you wanted to build to scale, in other words, build enough of these where you are competitive and generating cashflow. You're looking at $60 to $100 billion and maybe 10 to 20 years investment, which means a 10, 20, 30 billion won't cut it Well, not absolutely cut it If you plan to be a player in this market.
Speaker 2:This is small Honda. This is successful small Honda. This is Honda who wades into a market, tiptoes into a market, at first by partnering with others. Honda will not have its own EV platform till the latter part of this decade, but right now you can buy a Honda EV, you can buy a Prologue. Right now, right this minute, you can walk into a Honda dealer and buy a Prologue. Here's the first stunning thing yeah, it's got Honda badges all around it.
Speaker 2:Honda didn't make it. Honda did not build that. General Motors did In relationship with Honda and they're going to build another one for Honda. The Prologue is actually made in Spring Hill, tennessee, by General Motors and they're coming out. Honda's coming out with another one that's going to be made in a Mexican plant with GM and I'm going to look that up so I can tell you exactly what it is. And we haven't even begun to talk about the Afila, which is being built by Sony Honda Mobility, which is going to be a standalone company, and we don't know where that's going to be built exactly. But that Acura XDX, that's the second model that's going to be built by GM too, in their Mexican plant, and both of those at this time use GM's Ultium battery electric platform.
Speaker 2:Honda has a history of doing that. Why? It gives them a low cost entry into the market. It gives them time to learn and it gives them time to take notes and find out what's working, what isn't. So when they spend their own money to bring out their own platform towards the end part of this decade, they'll be firing with all cylinders because of what they've already learned. Because, remember, these vehicles will be sold by the dealers to be trained on it. They'll have to learn how it goes together, any maintenance that happens. So, as the dealers are learning that and Honda engineers are learning that and they can. They can go to actual real world experience and also get feedback from what their dealers and their customers want as they engineer their own.
Speaker 2:Honda talked about having their EV business profitable. Japan's number two automaker, wants to reduce battery costs by 20% by 2030 and cut overall EV production costs by 35% by then. They expect to achieve profitability with a sales return of 5% at an annual volume of 2 million, at an annual volume of $2 million, and they figured to get there, they got to spend $64.3 billion to cover new assembly plants, battery factories, machinery and software, and this is double what Honda said they were going to spend just two years ago. If Honda feels they need to go this way, then you kind of understand what the new EV companies are up against as they try to scale up.
Speaker 2:Now, in addition to all of that, honda's reinventing everything, including a whole new series, which they call the Zero Series, which debuts in 2026, and it's going to be the linchpin of their strategy. The lead-off vehicles will be a midsize crossover, entry-level crossover and a wedge-shaped sedan, all of which they introduced at CES. There's four more coming after that at CES. There's four more coming after that 2027, a three-row large crossover. 2028, a compact crossover. 2029, a small crossover and here's a surprise 2030, a compact sedan, a sedan.
Speaker 2:And oh, all of these I mentioned are all electrics, not hybrids. These are all electrics, which is ironic because right now, like the rest of the industry, honda's making money hand over fist selling hybrids. Their hybrid business just gone through the roof. They're selling hybrids. That's what people want, that's what they're selling. Their hybrids and gasoline engine business is going to provide the capital they need in order to finance this new venture and they're going to continue to partner with folk because, again, $64.3 billion is what I said. And if that's not enough, they're introducing a parallel line specially designed for China and they want to introduce 10 of these EV nameplates in China by 2027 and have 100% of their China fleet be EVs by 2035.
Speaker 2:Like I said, don't believe everything that you read Just because the domestic business, american consumers, are taking a breather on EVs. Right now, the auto industry is a global one. Auto B&B manufacturers, regardless of where they're based, play on a global stage and they have to serve many different markets. And right now, the momentum is with EVs electric vehicles and they are spending the money, making the commitments and gearing up to do that. And, honestly, the American market's always been fickle. This is nothing new.
Speaker 2:I can give you case after case after case, almost by product line and manufacturer, where demand got soft for a while. Maybe they cut back for a minute and then it came roaring back, or it went in a different direction they weren't prepared for, or they came back for a vehicle but they went a different trim level that they had not forecast and they were scrambling to keep up. Can you believe that at one time Volkswagen four cylinder diesel were in such demand that Volkswagen had a three-year waiting list and it was going to take them two years to retool to get there to meet the demand? Yeah, it was a thing long before diesel gate. It was a thing.
Speaker 2:Honda's all in. They've doubled down. Evs are not going away, folks. So don't believe what you hear that, oh, EVs are dead. Oh, my God, the automakers are in trouble. Oh goodness, no, they're preparing to stay in business for the long haul. The long haul is electric vehicles and eliminating costs and re-imagining how they're coming together. Honda doubled down. That ought to tell you something, because Honda doesn't make missteps not often. Toyota's doubled down too. Hyundai same thing when it comes to upscale accommodations. A high-designed cabin is vying for your attention.
Speaker 2: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 techmobilityshow. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobilityshow. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobilityshow. 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.
Speaker 3:Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and platforms for meetings, webinars and staying connected? Look no further than AONMeetingscom, the all-in-one browser-based platform that does it all. With AONMeetings, you can effortlessly communicate with clients, host virtual meetings and webinars and stay in touch with family and friends all in one place and for one price. Here's the best part you can enjoy a 30-day free trial. It's time to simplify your life and boost your productivity. Aonmeetingscom, where innovation meets connection. Get started today and revolutionize the way you communicate.
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. 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.
Speaker 2:On your next vacation, would you consider a fancy, high-design cabin as opposed to a hotel? It is one man's quest to encourage you to do just that. It's an upscale take on a tiny home and this is Topic C. This is set in a favorite part of the country where I'm from, and it's set in Western Massachusetts, in the Berkshires, and I love the Berkshires. It's very rugged and if you live in Massachusetts, honestly they consider that the forgotten part of the state, which is really too bad because people go out there to Tanglewood, which is a fancy open air kind of venue where people go to hear great artists like James Taylor and the like that perform out there during the summer. In the fall, people go out there to North Adams and Williamstown and Pittsfield to look at the leaves and marvel at the beauty. About 150 years ago the Berkshires were full of textile mills and plants like that, and with the migration of the factories overseas it's fallen in relative disrepair. There is a lot of a bad in factories and I know this for a fact because I'm from Massachusetts and when I go home to see kinfolk in central Massachusetts I come up over the Berkshires out of Troy, new York, because I love the trip. It's called the Mohawk Trail. It's two lane for about 70 miles and it goes through North Adams and Williamstown, and Williamstown sounds familiar. It's home to Williams College and near Ivy League school, and it's also home to a dear friend of mine, an automotive journalist par excellence, sue Mead. Hey, sue, a little shout out to Sue there.
Speaker 2:The reason why we're having a conversation about the Berkshires is because I want you to meet a guy by the name of Ben Svenson. He was out there and he fell in love with the place so much so he bought and renovated a hotel, loved it so much, he moved his family there, and while he was there he found out just how depressed the economy was. And then he hit upon an idea. He had been. He's kind of a contractor by trade and dabbled in hotels and as a real estate developer. He had come across the concept of tiny homes. We've talked about tiny homes before. They're typically between 100 and 400 square feet in size. I can't even imagine 100 square feet, but okay.
Speaker 2:He was intrigued by the modularity and movability of these structures but he also thought they left a lot to be desired, like, for example, what if you wanted to sleep in a king size bed or want a full size shower. So over the last 20 years he had taken on a variety of projects. We talked about the motel. He turned around into Berkshires and he transferred that into something called Tourist, one of the hottest hotels in the area. Now he bought an old mill and these old mills are beautiful brick they're at least 100 plus years old the Blackington Mill, a decaying factory near the hotel, and he thought he'd make that a hotel.
Speaker 2:But re-imagining the tiny house as a more luxurious experience felt like a good next challenge. So he partnered with folks in the area Berkshire-based architects, engineers and workshops to build tiny home concepts. He finally this year, after a number of years of tinkering around, produced the prototype of his dream cabin the sleek wooden structure which is 280 square feet, has all the details you'd find in a high-end hotel, including a luxurious shower with skylight, two separate bedrooms, a patio, a kitchen with concrete countertops and custom-designed wood cabinetry. I did say 280 square feet Now for now, guests can't stay in it, but the hotel is organizing concerts and events in the cabin, the hotel. The goal is to invite other hotel owners the chance to explore them with the view of potentially ordering some for their own properties. Follow me, this is going somewhere. Through a licensing model, tourists would support other hotel owners who want to bring their tourist cabins to their existing property or build their own franchise hotel startup.
Speaker 2:Here's the good part. He fell in love with the Berkshires, like I said, realized that while people would come to the Williamstown Theater Festival or to Tanglewood or the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, which also has a college that my niece went to, or the Clark Art Institute, there was no place for somebody who wanted a stylish, modern hotel for sophisticated visitors that came from out of town to watch the plays. So that's where tours came from, out of town to watch the plays. So that's where tourists came from and it's in North Adams, minutes from Williamstown, yeah, literally five minutes along State Route 2. It's a 48-room hotel each which offers a view of nearby forests or the Hoosick River.
Speaker 2:The architecture is minimal, inspired by the work of landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, who designed the utopian community of Shea Ranch in California, and they used his design principles. He said you should only use local materials and leave them unfinished, because paint will eventually seep into the earth, and if you've ever been to the Berkshires of Vermont, that is totally up their alley, because they are all about ecology out there and it's beautiful. So here's what he did. He took this knowledge and he looked at the Blackington Woolen Mill, which was built originally in 1822, was closed in 1950.
Speaker 2:Far from becoming another hotel, he figured out that this example of tiny homes that he could use as a hotel experience could be built. He could build them modularly in that space in North Adams. The talent is there, the willingness is there, the workforce is there and he thought, through his franchise model, tourists would share the revenue that comes in from the guests building these cabins and having them transported around the country to those folks who want that experience, which would be way cool. What would happen to the woolen mill, you ask? The woolen mill would be converted into a site to actually build these modular cabins and have them shipped all over the country. And he felt, once he got up to scale, that he could keep the cost of them down about $200,000 a piece, which to me that seems a lot, but $200,000 a piece. And shippable, and being modular, you could add or reconfigure these any way you want to to add more space or less space, depending.
Speaker 2:It is a very Western Massachusetts and Vermont idea, so much so that honestly, to be honest with you, the next time I head that way I'm going to see if I can stay there and if I do I might actually post some stuff for tourists and see if maybe we can even get a tour of the woolen mill, because hopefully by then it will be making these. It will be quite a success story because they will have been able to do what hasn't happened in massachusetts, and particularly the western part of the state, in a long time bring new industry to an area that needs it and to capitalize on the existing craftsmanship and resilience of the area to build something that the rest of the nation, if not the rest of the world, could benefit. So I'm rooting for him and I'm rooting for tourist cabins and I want to stay in one, and I think once you've seen one, I think you're going to want to stay in one too. So rah rah to North Adams and Williamstown and we'll see what happens next, because, honestly, a little progress out there would be a good thing, and I'm all down for the good news. I really, really am. So yeah, western Massachusetts. We've come to the end of our visit. Be sure to join me again next time, right here.
Speaker 2:This has been The Tech Mobility Show.
Speaker 1:The Tech Mobility Show is a copywritten production of Tech Mobility Productions Incorporated. Any rebroadcast, retransmission or any other use is prohibited without the written consent of Tech Mobility Productions Incorporated.
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 Tech Mobility Topics in the search bar.
Speaker 2:Wherever you listen to podcasts, Social media, it's the place to be, where, 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. 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 at The Tech Mobility Show by visiting 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 Tech Mobility Podcast just about anywhere. You can enjoy podcasts. Be sure to follow us from Apple Podcasts, iHeartio and many platforms in between. We are there. Just enter The Tech Mobility Podcast in the search bar, wherever you listen to podcasts.
