Solving The Hard In Hard-Tech Development: SEMA ETTN Panel Scales Prototype Realities At FutureTech Studio

SEMA's FutureTech Studio presentation and discussion panel on "Scaling From Prototype To Manufacturable Product" was
held Day 1 of the 2025 SEMA Show. Image Credit: SEMA News Editors (2025)

Solving The Hard In Hard-Tech Development: SEMA ETTN Panel Scales Prototype Realities At FutureTech Studio

In the heart of the SEMA Show's Emerging Trends and Technology Network studio, a panel titled "Solving The Hard In Hard-Tech Development" unpacked the gritty realities of hardware innovation on November 4, 2025. Moderated by Motivo CBO Michael Konig, the discussion featured Glīd founder and CEO Kevin A. Damoa, BOOSTane Octane Engineering's Ian Lehn, and Motivo CTO Damon Pipenberg. These veterans of automotive aftermarket and advanced mobility shared battle-tested insights on turning concepts into scalable realities, proving that hardware's hurdles demand more than engineering prowess - they require adaptability, grit, and a laser focus on mission.

Michael Konig kicked off by highlighting the diverse expertise at the table, from race fuels to off-grid power systems and autonomous heavy-haul vehicles. He noted hardware's reputation for being capital-intensive and slow to fund, yet the SEMA floor buzzed with proof that innovators persist. The panelists introduced themselves with credentials that spanned military service, SpaceX rocket transport innovations, sustainable overlanding tech, and decades in vehicle prototyping, setting the stage for a no-nonsense exchange on overcoming assumptions in product development.

Platforms from GLID revolutionize logistics by synchronizing road and rail utilizing autonomous vehicles and AI. GLID believes their solutions eliminate bottlenecks, cut carbon, and unlock underutilized infrastructure - delivering safer, smarter, and more resilient freight networks for commerce, communities, and defense. Image Credit: Dean Case via LinkedIn (2025)

GLID designed railway wheels and road wheels are included on every platform for ease in transition and transport flow.
Image Credit: Motivo via LinkedIn (2025)

Kevin Damoa recounted his SpaceX days, where Elon Musk's vision demanded transporting Falcon 9 rockets via ship instead of traditional roads. The rocket's slimmer 14-foot circumference - designed to clear bridges - required a transport apparatus that maintained pressurization, balanced dynamics over 74 feet, and complied with 49 CFR regulations. "You take a shot with the team, a lot of testing, and employ authority," Damoa said, emphasizing iterative design under emergent tech constraints. This project shattered road-only norms, blending industrial design with real-world rigor.

BOOSTane - Octane boosters work by increasing the gasoline’s octane rating through the introduction of high-octane components, which make the fuel more resistant to knocking and pre-ignition. They also contain detergents and stabilizers to help keep the fuel system clean and improve engine performance. Image Credit: BOOSTane FB/META Timeline (2025)

Ian Lehn drew from Forged Authority Off-Grid, where promoting extended off-grid adventures meant ditching noisy generators for wind turbines. In wind-rich but sun-scarce regions like the Ohio Valley, the challenge was a turbine with sufficient form factor for campsite power, yet transportable over rocks and quick to deploy without hogging space. "Break it down to parts, focus on each variable, then assemble the whole - like eating the whale one bite at a time," Lehn explained, illustrating how modular problem-solving yielded marketable iterations.

Motivo’s publicly acknowledged client base includes names like Faraday Future, Nissan, BMW, Eaton, and
Panasonic. Privately, they’re working with others in the automotive and electronics industries as well.
Image Credit: Motivo via Digital Trends (2017)

Damon Pipenberg shared Motivo's decade-old supercar prototype, where 3D-printed chassis nodes challenged steel-stamped norms. Early additive manufacturing spat out parts riddled with holes and cracks, but relentless testing evolved the tech. Today, that vehicle holds lap records, races competitively, and influences aerospace and defense. "From something no one believed would work to production reality," Pipenberg reflected, underscoring how prototyping validates disruptive processes.
Diving into resource-heavy prototyping, Lehn championed rapid iteration: "A good plan today beats a perfect one tomorrow." He advocated 3D printing ideas by lunch, then breaking them physically to reveal flaws early - especially for budget-constrained startups. Damoa stressed partnerships, integrating proven chassis and autonomy tech with Glīd's Raiden, a truck-train-forklift hybrid that hauls 20-foot containers onto rail tracks. "Partner with leaders to deploy a system that works right out of the gate and scales reliably," he advised.
Pipenberg pushed bench testing for risk reduction: "Test early, break things on the whiteboard or in CAD - changes get costlier with scale." At Motivo, failure in prototypes is celebrated if it informs fixes before mass production. This segued to manufacturing scaling, where Damoa highlighted mixed mediums like 3D-printed titanium meshes alongside traditional chassis for form-fit-function testing. Lehn warned against design paralysis from evolving tech: "Products evolve; build platforms that accept upgrades to avoid obsolescence."
Technology On Display In The FutureTech Studio: A Glimpse into the Next Era of Mobility at the 2025 SEMA Show >>> Pivotal Aero

Pivotal Aero Emergency Medical Services - Enabling rapid aerial response to medical emergencies, significantly reducing
time to care. Quickly access remote or congested areas with trained EMS Response Doctor or Technician where ground vehicles
are delayed. Image Credit: Stefan Pagnani, EVVTOL Tech Nation (2025)

Unlike most eVTOLs, the Helix doesn’t move its rotors to adjust its attitude. Instead, the entire airframe tilts upward for vertical takeoff and landing, and shifts to horizontal to cruise up to 32 kilometers (20 miles) at a software-limited 103-kilometer-per-hour (64 mile-per-hour) top speed. The design helps make the Helix less daunting for rookie pilots; a single by-wire joystick controls every aspect of flight. Karklin says pilots can spend their time hovering, cruising, or banking, rather than constantly monitoring instruments that include battery state of charge and navigation. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2025)

The panel pinpointed the "Optimism Gap" between engineering ideals and production ROI. Pipenberg noted small teams wearing multiple hats prevent tunnel vision, ensuring parts are makeable and fundable. Damoa invoked Mars missions: "Take bite-sized steps you can pay for, aligning engineering, procurement, and finance for revenue-generating products." Avoiding ultrafuturistic vacuums keeps ventures alive.
Team motivation amid long cycles hinged on mission alignment. Damoa recruits for character tied to unchanging goals: "Products evolve, but the mission drives acceptance of failures cascading into progress." Lehn reframed setbacks: "Learn from losses, spotlight what we gained early - better now than in mass production." Pipenberg encouraged expecting failure: "Hide flaws, and they become cancer later; test like racing to ensure race-day reliability."
Leaders' personal failure handling revealed resilience. Lehn builds calluses through small wins, like hiring passionate talent or cross-panel inspirations. Damoa measures in inches, leaning on faith, family, and military principles: "Protect your teammate, own everything - failure builds content, not constant happiness." Pipenberg, shaped by Formula SAE breakdowns, instills: "Hope it breaks first time; give space to fail and retry for true success."
Looking ahead five years, Lehn flagged external factors like tariffs, urging future-proof designs adaptable to legislation. Damoa eyed reindustrialization: "Pair human jobs with robotics smartly - regain manufacturing sexiness without displacement." Pipenberg saw AI and automation's hype as a double-edged sword: "Discern what works to stay ahead; rapid change is opportunity for competitive edge."

The future is human. AI and automation are tools, not replacements. The best builders use both. From Left to Right - Damon Pipenberg (Motivo), Ian Lehn (BOOSTane Octane Engineering), Kevin A. Damoa (Glīd), and as moderator Michael Konig (Motivo). Image Credit: Motivo via LinkedIn (2025)

Wrapping up, advice crystallized hard-tech wisdom. Damoa: "Find the problem that's actually a problem and solve it - that's paying rent for your place on Earth, creating generational value." Lehn added passion to weather dark times. Pipenberg kept it simple: "Build stuff you're interested in, break it with friends and customers, enjoy the process."
The session underscored adaptability over perfection in hardware. Every product faces new tech, rules, or realities - build for change.
Failure is design's ally; top teams break early, fix fast, and expose ugly truths before they metastasize.
Mission endures while products evolve; align teams to it for sustained motivation through walls and discards.
Scalable ROI trumps elegance - bridge the Optimism Gap with cross-functional hats and fundable steps.
The future remains human; AI and robots are tools, not replacements - pair them wisely with reinvigorated manufacturing. As Damoa encapsulated, solving real problems secures your legacy in this temporary world.
... notes from The EDJE





TAGS: #HardTech, #HardwareInnovation, #SEMA2025, #ETTN, #Prototyping, #ScalableROI, #MissionDriven, #Adaptability, #FailureIsDesign, #FutureIsHuman, #GlidRaiden, #BOOSTane, #MotivoEngineering, #AutomotiveAftermarket, #Reindustrialization, #TheEDJE

Mick Schumacher’s INDYCAR Test Nets A Strenuous Track Day At Indianapolis

Orientation to a test at IMS Road Course begins in earnest within the Pit Box of Rahal Letterman Lanigan with Mick Schumacher. Image Credit: Joe Skibinski via NICS (2025)

Mick Schumacher’s INDYCAR Test Nets A Strenuous Track Day At Indianapolis  

By Edmund Jenks ... notes from The EDJE

Mick Schumacher climbed into the No. 75 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as the sun hung low over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, casting long shadows across the reconfigured IMS road course. This was no sentimental pilgrimage, no passion play steeped in the legacy of his father, Michael Schumacher, who conquered this hallowed ground five times in Formula 1. No, this was a grueling, methodical track day - a full-throttle immersion into the raw, unfiltered demands of NTT INDYCAR Dallara machinery. 

For Mick, a driver with 43 Formula 1 starts and a current World Endurance Championship campaign, this test was a calculated exercise in data collection, not an emotional homecoming.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference

Monday, October 13, 2025 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Mick Schumacher - FULL Press Conference Above

Transcript With Edmund Jenks (click to launch video - 38.36 start time):

The EDJE: My interest is you're a professional driver. You don't just go out and just do a track day because it's fun. You're seriously considering INDYCAR. Is there anything about the variants of the types of racing that we have, whether it's -- I know you haven't done ovals, but we have short ovals, large ovals, you know, dedicated road courses, as well as street courses. Are there any races out there that interest you, any tracks that interest you, given that you are looking into this NTT INDYCAR SERIES approach?

MICK SCHUMACHER: There are great tracks out there. I think one of the big points, it is one of those places where you will find more old-school racetracks than new ones, and I think everybody kind of understands what I mean with that. I think that aspect is pretty fun.

Also, street circuits are usually very challenging, and they demand a lot from a racing driver. Yeah, I think there's a good mix from racetracks out there at the INDYCAR SERIES.

I don't want to talk too much about ovals. That's why I didn't kind of go there. Yeah, as I said earlier in this meeting, I am considering at some point maybe doing an oval just to see what it's about, whether that's going to be a short, mid, or long oval, I don't know. I didn't know there were those three different lengths to it.

But, yeah, I think, again, the series is a great series. It's a spec series, but still, there is some development you can do from team to team. So, yeah, racing seems fun. We'll see what opportunities it might have for me.

The EDJE: Finally, outside of the Indy 500, are there any specific races that you may have watched on television, and you go, Boy, I could myself in a car on that track? Are there any tracks that call to you?

MICK SCHUMACHER: I don't know how to really answer that, because I did watch a couple of tracks, but it's hard to really kind of feel that way if you haven't driven it.

I definitely am interested in seeing some other tracks out there. Today was good to be here to see this track. It was definitely a fun one. Racing, I'm sure, is a great pleasure here.

But, yeah, there's no real knowledge of mine that would say, okay, that one track is one that I would like to race on, for now.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

ENDS

Yard Of Bricks crossed as Mick Schumacher plys the same pavements seven-time Formula One World Champion, and father, Michael Schumacher won the United States Grand Prix five times on between 2000-07.Image Credit: Chris Jones via NICS (2025)

Schumacher’s day was a marathon of precision and adaptation. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan crew had a meticulously crafted run plan, and Mick executed it with the focus of a seasoned professional. Lap after lap, he wrestled with the nuances of the INDYCAR beast - its heavier steering, its aggressive tire behavior, its Aeroscreen-induced heat. “It feels very much like an F2 car,” he noted, drawing parallels to his championship-winning days, though the INDYCAR’s raw edge demanded a bolder approach. The Firestone tires, reminiscent of his F3 Hankook days, allowed him to push hard without the delicate conservation required in other series. This was no leisurely drive; it was a relentless pursuit of feedback and performance.

The preparation for this test was as intense as the day itself. Schumacher spent days embedded with the RLL team, poring over details in the workshop and logging hours in the Honda simulator. This wasn’t about soaking in the mystique of Indianapolis but about mastering the car’s quirks before he even turned a wheel. The simulator offered a taste of the INDYCAR’s handling, stripping away surprises and letting Mick focus on extracting data. “It was really important to see how a race weekend would run out,” he said, emphasizing the structured approach that defined the day. Every moment was about building a foundation, not chasing glory.

InstaGram image posted by Mick Schumacher showing the unique Aeroscreen entry into the cockpit of a
Dallara NTT INDYCAR platform. Image Credit: Mick Schumacher (2025)

The track itself was unforgiving, an old-school layout that punished mistakes with a trip into the grass. Schumacher relished the challenge, finding the circuit’s demands a fitting test for his skills. Comparisons to his Formula 1 experience were inevitable, but he dismissed nostalgia in favor of pragmatism. “I was focused on driving, doing my plan,” he said, shrugging off questions about his father’s legacy. The INDYCAR’s rough-and-tumble nature - less clinical than F1, with its spec-series ethos - required a different mindset. Mick adapted, noting the car’s looser rear end and the tactile connection provided by its heavier steering. This was a workout, not a reverie.

Challenges abounded, from decoding the team’s lingo - “stickers” for new tires left him briefly puzzled - to adjusting to the Aeroscreen’s stifling airflow. Yet Schumacher took it in stride, his focus unwavering. The physicality of the car, often hyped as a beast by other drivers, proved less daunting than expected. “I didn’t think it was that heavy,” he admitted, finding the steering’s feedback a source of connection rather than strain. The test wasn’t about heroics; it was about understanding the machine and its limits, a task Mick attacked with clinical efficiency.

For all the sweat and focus, the day wasn’t without its sparks of enjoyment. Schumacher’s love for open-wheel racing shone through, a nod to his father’s adage about Schumachers being fastest when they can see their wheels. The INDYCAR’s single-seater DNA appealed to him, its 17-race calendar a tantalizing prospect for a driver who thrives on competition. Yet he remained guarded about his future, weighing INDYCAR against other options for 2026. “It’s about me trying to figure out what I want to do,” he said, his decision-making process as deliberate as his laps. An oval test looms as a potential next step, but for now, Mick is content to analyze and reflect.

In the end, this was no romantic ode to racing’s past but a hard-fought day of work. Schumacher’s test was a masterclass in discipline, a driver fully immersed in the task at hand. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with its storied history, served as a backdrop, not a shrine. For Mick, the allure of INDYCAR lies in its driver-centric ethos, where talent behind the wheel still reigns supreme. As he packed up after a long debrief, the data gathered and lessons learned were the true trophies of the day - a strenuous track day, executed with purpose.

... notes from The EDJE

FEATURED ARTICLE >>>

TAGS: #MickSchumacher, #INDYCAR, #IndianapolisMotorSpeedway, #RahalLettermanLanigan, #TrackDay, #OpenWheel, #Formula1, #FirestoneTires, #Aeroscreen, #Racing, #TestDay, #Motorsport, #SchumacherLegacy, #IndyCarOnFOX, #MotorsportsJournal, #The EDJE

Willow Springs Reimagined: A Roaring Revival Of America’s Oldest Road Course

A timeless, yet weathered, welcome to Willow Springs International Raceway, established November 22, 1953, as it gears up for a new era with Willow Springs Reimagined. Image Credit: RoadracingWorld.com via FB/META (2025)

Willow Springs Reimagined: A Roaring Revival Of America’s Oldest Road Course

By Edmund Jenks - Motorsports Journal via Notes From The EDJE

Under a cloudless, yet blustery/windy, California sky, Willow Springs International Raceway roared back to life on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with a sold-out crowd of 5,000 enthusiasts converging to witness the dawn of a new era for America’s oldest road course. 

The line to get into Willow Springs International Raceway, just west of Rosamond off of the 14 Hwy., is about 4 miles long. Image Credit: Damon Rivetti via FB/META (2025)

The event, dubbed *Willow Springs Reimagined*, marked the first major spectacle since a new ownership group, led by CrossHarbor Capital Partners, acquired the historic track earlier this year. What unfolded was a high-octane celebration of car culture, blending iconic vehicles, all-star drivers, and a fresh vision for a beloved motorsport mecca.

Willow Springs Reimagined as on display from the planning committees of Singer and CrossHarbor Capital Partners. Note the addition of track configurations and pavement runs to compliment the Big Willow original configuration. This 3-d perspective was created orientated from the south looking toward the north. Image Credit: Larry Mason - FastLane Race School (2025)

This perspective of Willow Springs International Raceway's Big Willow track layout is from the northwest, looking southeast, under partly cloudy daytime conditions, consistent with Southern California's spring weather. Image Credit: RoadracingWorld.com via FB/META (2025)

The nine-turn “Big Willow” circuit pulsed with energy as racing legends and modern marvels took to the asphalt. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, Formula 1 titleholder Jenson Button, and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti headlined a B-Sedan Racing demonstration, a nod to the track’s storied 50-year history with the category. 

F1 driver and commentator Jenson Button (left) exchanges words in conversation with NASCAR 7-Time Champion and IndyCar competitor Jimmy Johnson (left-center in blue) while IndyCar and INDY500 Champion Dario Franchetti (center in white) listens in. Image Credit: German Angel via FB/META (2025)  

Let the rubber burn until it hurts (tap to launch video). jimmie7timejohnson via Instagram (2025)

Johnson, ever the showman, thrilled the crowd with a smoky burnout in his No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry along pit lane. Meanwhile, demonstrations from the Petersen Automotive Museum, Singer, Czinger, and others showcased a spectrum of automotive artistry, from vintage classics to cutting-edge hypercars.

Czinger in the raw showing off much of its 3D Printed infrastructures. 
Image Credit: Larry Mason - FastLane Race School (2025)

Czinger in the flesh showing off the aerodynamics of the outer skin that allowed a predecessor of this car set a class lap speed record at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Larry Mason - FastLane Race School (2025)

A closer look at some of the engineering and its 3D Printed manifestation - this is some serious and intricate design.
Image Credit: Larry Mason - FastLane Race School (2025)

Click for Images

A poignant highlight came when 19-year-old Lia Block piloted her late father Ken Block’s legendary Hoonitruck, its first public outing since his passing in 2023. The moment, charged with emotion, underscored the event’s deep ties to automotive heritage and family legacy. The crowd, hushed at first, erupted as the Hoonitruck’s tires screamed, a fitting tribute to a rally icon.

Pace Car used to lead out the squad of specially prepared Singer Porsche track cars complete with the new Willow Springs logo on the side. Image Credit: German Angel (2025)

Jarod DeAnda, the booming voice of Formula Drift, kept the energy high as emcee, while *The Smoking Tire* podcast, hosted by Matt Farah and Zack Klapmann, kicked off the day with a live recording that drew fans eager for insider tales from the automotive world. The paddock buzzed with curated displays, including life-sized Hot Wheels replicas of the 2001 Twin Mill and 2011 Bone Shaker, alongside Ken Block’s personal collection presented by the 43 Institute. Hoonigan’s Hoonipigasus Porsche and Micah Diaz’s Pro-Spec E46 added raw, tire-shredding spectacle, while DirtFish’s rally cars and displays from Porsche Santa Clarita, Shelby American, and ICON 4x4 filled the grounds with eye candy for every gearhead.

Race at the best tracks in California - whether you're starting your career or are already racing at an elite level - Ages: 5-17. F.A.T Karting Arrive and Drive - there’s no need to buy your own kart - just show up and race.

Willow Springs Karting Race Track newly established with all new electric-powered engines. The Karting facility is just west of the entrance and south of Turn 2 of the Big Willow track. Image Credit: Larry Mason FastLane Race School (2025)

Electric karts designed by F1 engineers. F.A.T. karts combine cutting-edge technology with expertise from the world’s top motorsport professionals. Image Credit: Larry Mason FastLane Race School (2025)

“The incredible turnout today proves the enthusiast culture is alive and well,” said Sam Byrne, co-founder of CrossHarbor Capital Partners and a voice for the ownership group. “We’re excited about the future here at Willow Springs. It’s all about reinvigorating the facility while leaning into its really cool past.” The ownership’s vision was palpable, with recent renovations enhancing the facility’s appeal while preserving its gritty, authentic charm.

Beyond the horsepower, the event carried a heart. A portion of ticket proceeds supported the East Kern Family Resource Center and Lost Angels Career Center, local nonprofits fostering community growth. Exclusive merchandise, including special-edition items from The Drivers Era and Lost Angels, added a collectible flair while raising funds and awareness.

The patina of this event was pure Southern California motor culture. Galpin Auto Sports captured the afternoon in this quick video posted at FB/META - Enjoy!

The main paddock overflowed with over 200 vehicles, from rare classics to supercars rarely seen outside private vaults or concours lawns. Harbinger’s innovative chassis designs shared space with FAT International’s curated gems, while a car show featuring 50-plus vehicles from collectors and influencers offered an up-close look at automotive history and innovation.

Click REELS displayed at end of video for mor impressions of Willow Springs Reimagined

As the sun dipped over the desert, Willow Springs Reimagined left no doubt: this wasn’t just a one-day thrill but the opening lap of a bold new chapter. With plans for more events already in motion - starting with another spectacle next month - the track is poised to reclaim its place as Southern California’s beating heart of car culture. For those who were there, the sound of engines and the smell of burning rubber will linger as a promise of more to come.

... notes from The EDJE

FEATURED ARTICLE >>>

FEATURED ARTICLE >>>

TAGS: Willow Springs, car culture, Big Willow, Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, Dario Franchitti, Lia Block, Hoonitruck, Hot Wheels, FastLane Race School, Tire, automotive, racing, Ken Block, charity, supercars, Larry Mason, FastLane Race School, The EDJE