{"podcast":{"title":"TechVibe Pittsburgh","slug":"techvibe-pittsburgh-7066476","podcast_index_feed_id":7066476,"rss_url":"https://feeds.libsyn.com/543637/rss","website_url":"https://sites.libsyn.com/543637","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/0/b/b/f/0bbfbb48a5c5597427a2322813b393ee/TechVibe_Pittsburgh-20240918-axy49m78a6.png","author":"Jonathan Kersting","episode_count":208,"summary":"Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get an inside look at the companies, people, and trends that are making Pittsburgh a worldwide center of technology innovation. Start by diving into Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem with a fan-favorite episode: \"Meet the New Head of CMU's Machine Learning Department.\" Don't miss out—click to listen now! TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore the Pittsburgh region's technology, entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. Tune in Sundays at 6 AM 10 100.1 FM AM 102…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-09T10:19:21.681359+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/techvibe-pittsburgh-7066476"},"episode":{"title":"Pittsburgh Drafts Innovation: Optimus Technologies Gives Diesel a Cleaner Second Act","slug":"pittsburgh-drafts-innovation-optimus-technologies-gives-diesel-a-cleaner-second-act","published_at":"2026-04-12T20:50:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/techvibe-pittsburgh-7066476/pittsburgh-drafts-innovation-optimus-technologies-gives-diesel-a-cleaner-second-act","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/techvibe-pittsburgh-7066476","url":"https://fc989b6d-a58a-4abc-a334-2e451691a749.libsyn.com/pittsburgh-drafts-innovation-optimus-technologies-gives-diesel-a-cleaner-second-act","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/fc989b6d-a58a-4abc-a334-2e451691a749/Draft_Optimus.mp3?dest-id=4686337","summary":"Diesel engines have powered the global economy for over a century. Optimus Technologies is making sure they can power the future, too. Based in Pittsburgh, Optimus has developed a system that allows existing diesel engines to run on renewable fuels — like biodiesel derived from used cooking oil or agricultural byproducts — without sacrificing performance. It's a deceptively elegant solution to a massive challenge. While electric vehicles dominate headlines, the reality is that heavy-duty transportation from freight trucks to municipal fleets still relies heavily on diesel. In fact, roughly 70% of freight in the U.S. moves by truck. Replacing that infrastructure overnight isn't feasible . Optimus offers a bridge. Its Vector System, a combination of hardware and software, can be installed on existing vehicles in just a couple of days. The system allows engines to seamlessly switch between traditional diesel and low-emission renewable fuels, giving fleet operators flexibility without operational risk. The company is already making an impact. Customers include major organizations like the City of Washington, D.C., which uses the technology across hundreds of vehicles, and PepsiCo, where Optimus systems are helping reduce emissions in commercial fleets. From garbage trucks to long-haul semis, the technology is proving its versatility in real-world conditions. Looking ahead, Optimus is expanding into public transit — a sector with high fuel consumption and significant emissions impact. With buses running nearly round -the-clock, the potential for environmental and cost savings is substantial . For founder Colin Huwyler , who began developing the technology as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, the journey has been long, but the timing is perfect. As industries…","meta_description":"Diesel engines have powered the global economy for over a century. Optimus Technologies is making sure they can power the future, too. Based in Pittsburgh…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":453,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/techvibe-pittsburgh-7066476/episodes/pittsburgh-drafts-innovation-optimus-technologies-gives-diesel-a-cleaner-second-act/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/techvibe-pittsburgh-7066476/pittsburgh-drafts-innovation-optimus-technologies-gives-diesel-a-cleaner-second-act.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}