In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Christen Courville, President and COO of SNAAP Transportation about the future of autonomous, sustainable urban transit. Christen breaks down why SNAAP prioritizes personal over public, how its modular track doubles as energy infrastructure, and why a franchise model may be key to localized transportation solutions. We also tackle skepticism around self-driving tech, the socioeconomic barriers traditional systems overlook, and what it will take to scale bold transit ideas in a cautious market.Key Points:<ul><li>Human-Centered Design: SNAAP pods are designed for individual riders, reflecting how most people actually commute today. This approach keeps the system lightweight, scalable, and optimized for personal convenience.</li><li>Chattanooga Testing Site: SNAAP has built a full-scale test track at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Advanced Vehicle Test Facility. This real-world demo site allows the team to refine the technology before wider rollout.</li><li>Autonomous, But Safer: Unlike autonomous cars navigating complex roads, SNAAP pods operate on a controlled, elevated passive track. This closed system eliminates many common hazards, making autonomy safer and more reliable.</li><li>Christen Courville, President and COO of <a href="https://ridesnaap.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SNAAP</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christen-courville/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eioKJv8yc_0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SNAAP™ Transportation: The Future Is Now, Take It For A Ride</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of <a href="https://technica.inc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Technica Communications</a>, and Founder of <a href="https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women in Cleantech and Sustainability</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaannpinkerton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li></ul> 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…&nbsp;&nbsp;Visit our <a href="https://earthlingspodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a> for more episodes!Sign up to our <a href="https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter</a> for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!&nbsp;We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">survey.</a> Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our <a href="https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Life at 3C episode</a> on our websiteThanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our <a href="http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon Page</a>.Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:&nbsp;<ul><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Follow us on our<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Facebook Page</a></li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a>&nbsp;</li></ul> Thanks to <a href="https://resourcelabs.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Resource Labs</a> for having us on the network!

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#121: Personal Shuttles and Big Solutions for Sustainable Transportation with SNAAP

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