Adam Cook
@motorcityadam.com
Engineer focused on robotics, control systems, system safety, manufacturing and simulation. Machinist. Purdue Engineering alum. Chicago ➡️ Detroit. Vegan. 🌱 He/Him. Father of Benny cat and Tiggy cat.
@7det.org Contributor.
@7det.org Contributor.
i am pretty sure my cats want something, but i don’t speak cat
September 17, 2025 at 1:41 AM
i am pretty sure my cats want something, but i don’t speak cat
I just had this realization the other day on a broader scope - of how Detroit-area automotive "journalists", whose word is considered sacrosanct here, fawned over the Tesla technical hype.
And how they will never be held accountable.
People like John McElroy that had this absurd take in 2021.
And how they will never be held accountable.
People like John McElroy that had this absurd take in 2021.
July 30, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I just had this realization the other day on a broader scope - of how Detroit-area automotive "journalists", whose word is considered sacrosanct here, fawned over the Tesla technical hype.
And how they will never be held accountable.
People like John McElroy that had this absurd take in 2021.
And how they will never be held accountable.
People like John McElroy that had this absurd take in 2021.
Does the EU know about this?
July 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Does the EU know about this?
Tesla: "What autonomous vehicle?"
July 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Tesla: "What autonomous vehicle?"
Clown ass administration.
July 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Clown ass administration.
@mcuban.bsky.social supporting, essentially, Musk’s white supremacist party is no surprise.
But it has been consistently annoying that left-leaning folks still get scammed by the Krassenstein Brothers.
When will people learn?
When will @rokhanna.bsky.social add his support I wonder?
But it has been consistently annoying that left-leaning folks still get scammed by the Krassenstein Brothers.
When will people learn?
When will @rokhanna.bsky.social add his support I wonder?
![Posting on X, Marc Cuban, a billionaire businessman and TV personality suggested he was interested in the party, sharing fireworks emojis then writing: "I work with [Center for Competitive Democracy]. They will help you get on ballots. That is their mission."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gsnueoi4ua5egujtacubm4tn/bafkreidlfub52tw2un4qowbtccbune47ghgzr5cgliytxjnvuxqeu7arfm@jpeg)
July 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
@mcuban.bsky.social supporting, essentially, Musk’s white supremacist party is no surprise.
But it has been consistently annoying that left-leaning folks still get scammed by the Krassenstein Brothers.
When will people learn?
When will @rokhanna.bsky.social add his support I wonder?
But it has been consistently annoying that left-leaning folks still get scammed by the Krassenstein Brothers.
When will people learn?
When will @rokhanna.bsky.social add his support I wonder?
🧵 This could be the dumbest thing that I have watched this year.
Where to even begin?
Let's start with... the wide open speculation on the performance of a black box that has had zero risk for Tesla to date.
Get an editor that understands *risk economics*.
Where to even begin?
Let's start with... the wide open speculation on the performance of a black box that has had zero risk for Tesla to date.
Get an editor that understands *risk economics*.
June 17, 2025 at 7:42 AM
🧵 This could be the dumbest thing that I have watched this year.
Where to even begin?
Let's start with... the wide open speculation on the performance of a black box that has had zero risk for Tesla to date.
Get an editor that understands *risk economics*.
Where to even begin?
Let's start with... the wide open speculation on the performance of a black box that has had zero risk for Tesla to date.
Get an editor that understands *risk economics*.
Rahm Emanuel only cares about one type of classroom - the predominantly white one.
That is his overtly-racist legacy from his time as Chicago mayor.
Oh, and fuck Slotkin. I hope she falls into a hole and never gets out.
Signed, a Detroiter.
That is his overtly-racist legacy from his time as Chicago mayor.
Oh, and fuck Slotkin. I hope she falls into a hole and never gets out.
Signed, a Detroiter.
June 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Rahm Emanuel only cares about one type of classroom - the predominantly white one.
That is his overtly-racist legacy from his time as Chicago mayor.
Oh, and fuck Slotkin. I hope she falls into a hole and never gets out.
Signed, a Detroiter.
That is his overtly-racist legacy from his time as Chicago mayor.
Oh, and fuck Slotkin. I hope she falls into a hole and never gets out.
Signed, a Detroiter.
Long 🧵
Here is my take, FWIW.
As to, presumably, the NHTSA requiring Tesla to adopt a Lidar sensor... probably never. The NHTSA is not structurally-equipped for that.
But, more importantly, it is not as simple as "requiring a sensor type" anyway.
These are safety-critical SYSTEMS.
A ✨System✨
Here is my take, FWIW.
As to, presumably, the NHTSA requiring Tesla to adopt a Lidar sensor... probably never. The NHTSA is not structurally-equipped for that.
But, more importantly, it is not as simple as "requiring a sensor type" anyway.
These are safety-critical SYSTEMS.
A ✨System✨
June 7, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Long 🧵
Here is my take, FWIW.
As to, presumably, the NHTSA requiring Tesla to adopt a Lidar sensor... probably never. The NHTSA is not structurally-equipped for that.
But, more importantly, it is not as simple as "requiring a sensor type" anyway.
These are safety-critical SYSTEMS.
A ✨System✨
Here is my take, FWIW.
As to, presumably, the NHTSA requiring Tesla to adopt a Lidar sensor... probably never. The NHTSA is not structurally-equipped for that.
But, more importantly, it is not as simple as "requiring a sensor type" anyway.
These are safety-critical SYSTEMS.
A ✨System✨
Seems like a good day to roll out this sticker on my laptop…
Just picked it up this weekend at Ferndale Pride.
Get yours at @detroitgt.com.
Just picked it up this weekend at Ferndale Pride.
Get yours at @detroitgt.com.
June 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Seems like a good day to roll out this sticker on my laptop…
Just picked it up this weekend at Ferndale Pride.
Get yours at @detroitgt.com.
Just picked it up this weekend at Ferndale Pride.
Get yours at @detroitgt.com.
I am willing to give the University of Michigan some time on this.
Apparently, the Board of Regents was pushing then-university president Santa Ono to stand up to Trump... but Ono was secretly a MAGA asshat.
Ono is now fucking off to the University of Florida.
And I wish him the very worst.
Apparently, the Board of Regents was pushing then-university president Santa Ono to stand up to Trump... but Ono was secretly a MAGA asshat.
Ono is now fucking off to the University of Florida.
And I wish him the very worst.
May 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I am willing to give the University of Michigan some time on this.
Apparently, the Board of Regents was pushing then-university president Santa Ono to stand up to Trump... but Ono was secretly a MAGA asshat.
Ono is now fucking off to the University of Florida.
And I wish him the very worst.
Apparently, the Board of Regents was pushing then-university president Santa Ono to stand up to Trump... but Ono was secretly a MAGA asshat.
Ono is now fucking off to the University of Florida.
And I wish him the very worst.
Wrong option for ALOT of work.
Complexity is a killer in the robotics space, folks.
A cost center that can get away from you REALLY quick.
I have seen it at many shops over the years.
And most humanoid robots (or the ones getting the most hype and funding these days) are extremely complex.
Complexity is a killer in the robotics space, folks.
A cost center that can get away from you REALLY quick.
I have seen it at many shops over the years.
And most humanoid robots (or the ones getting the most hype and funding these days) are extremely complex.
May 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Wrong option for ALOT of work.
Complexity is a killer in the robotics space, folks.
A cost center that can get away from you REALLY quick.
I have seen it at many shops over the years.
And most humanoid robots (or the ones getting the most hype and funding these days) are extremely complex.
Complexity is a killer in the robotics space, folks.
A cost center that can get away from you REALLY quick.
I have seen it at many shops over the years.
And most humanoid robots (or the ones getting the most hype and funding these days) are extremely complex.
I worked in these conditions as a mill hand in Northwest Indiana many moons ago.
I could have been in this photograph.
This is an exceptionally tough floor - sand casting.
Pipe hitting pipe. Pipe hitting kicker.
Dangerous and brutal.
Difficult to automate given the process and environment.
I could have been in this photograph.
This is an exceptionally tough floor - sand casting.
Pipe hitting pipe. Pipe hitting kicker.
Dangerous and brutal.
Difficult to automate given the process and environment.
May 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I worked in these conditions as a mill hand in Northwest Indiana many moons ago.
I could have been in this photograph.
This is an exceptionally tough floor - sand casting.
Pipe hitting pipe. Pipe hitting kicker.
Dangerous and brutal.
Difficult to automate given the process and environment.
I could have been in this photograph.
This is an exceptionally tough floor - sand casting.
Pipe hitting pipe. Pipe hitting kicker.
Dangerous and brutal.
Difficult to automate given the process and environment.
🧵 Good article in the WSJ (link at the end).
And a rare one in that it correctly hits on a major reality of why so much manufacturing left the US.
Few seemingly remember this.
But it was this, and NOT free trade agreements, that dissolved a ton of domestic manufacturing.
Still relevant today.
And a rare one in that it correctly hits on a major reality of why so much manufacturing left the US.
Few seemingly remember this.
But it was this, and NOT free trade agreements, that dissolved a ton of domestic manufacturing.
Still relevant today.
May 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
🧵 Good article in the WSJ (link at the end).
And a rare one in that it correctly hits on a major reality of why so much manufacturing left the US.
Few seemingly remember this.
But it was this, and NOT free trade agreements, that dissolved a ton of domestic manufacturing.
Still relevant today.
And a rare one in that it correctly hits on a major reality of why so much manufacturing left the US.
Few seemingly remember this.
But it was this, and NOT free trade agreements, that dissolved a ton of domestic manufacturing.
Still relevant today.
Here is another fact that many Michiganders never performed any introspection on - or even care to remember.
Michigan, the only Midwest state to give George Wallace the nod.
Observe the quote in the second screenshot.
Some things never change…
Michigan, the only Midwest state to give George Wallace the nod.
Observe the quote in the second screenshot.
Some things never change…
May 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Here is another fact that many Michiganders never performed any introspection on - or even care to remember.
Michigan, the only Midwest state to give George Wallace the nod.
Observe the quote in the second screenshot.
Some things never change…
Michigan, the only Midwest state to give George Wallace the nod.
Observe the quote in the second screenshot.
Some things never change…
A good rundown.
Key point that I have made time-and-time again: The BIG and DISQUALIFYING issue with Tesla's program is that Tesla is forcing a vehicle into a safety-critical system without listening the demands of the system.
That is why it feels forced.
Tesla cannot quantify the risk.
Key point that I have made time-and-time again: The BIG and DISQUALIFYING issue with Tesla's program is that Tesla is forcing a vehicle into a safety-critical system without listening the demands of the system.
That is why it feels forced.
Tesla cannot quantify the risk.
May 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A good rundown.
Key point that I have made time-and-time again: The BIG and DISQUALIFYING issue with Tesla's program is that Tesla is forcing a vehicle into a safety-critical system without listening the demands of the system.
That is why it feels forced.
Tesla cannot quantify the risk.
Key point that I have made time-and-time again: The BIG and DISQUALIFYING issue with Tesla's program is that Tesla is forcing a vehicle into a safety-critical system without listening the demands of the system.
That is why it feels forced.
Tesla cannot quantify the risk.
Lot of focus on the crypto scam side of this (which is true), but Andreessen is so far right that it once turned off Richard Hanania.
May 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Lot of focus on the crypto scam side of this (which is true), but Andreessen is so far right that it once turned off Richard Hanania.
When there is a 3-4 year backlog on transformers and a company *still* cannot make the numbers work due to tariffs - then, my guy, the policies ain’t working.
Never mind billionaire fat cats when it comes to union busting with union leaders this fucking stupid.
These dipshits bust themselves.
Never mind billionaire fat cats when it comes to union busting with union leaders this fucking stupid.
These dipshits bust themselves.
May 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
When there is a 3-4 year backlog on transformers and a company *still* cannot make the numbers work due to tariffs - then, my guy, the policies ain’t working.
Never mind billionaire fat cats when it comes to union busting with union leaders this fucking stupid.
These dipshits bust themselves.
Never mind billionaire fat cats when it comes to union busting with union leaders this fucking stupid.
These dipshits bust themselves.
Well, Persona's robots are not *capable* of this today.
For automated inspection, I think that legged robots make sense in some cases - and folks like Boston Robotics have apparently had market success with their Spot quadrupedal robot.
Particularly, so it seems with plant process inspections.
For automated inspection, I think that legged robots make sense in some cases - and folks like Boston Robotics have apparently had market success with their Spot quadrupedal robot.
Particularly, so it seems with plant process inspections.
May 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Well, Persona's robots are not *capable* of this today.
For automated inspection, I think that legged robots make sense in some cases - and folks like Boston Robotics have apparently had market success with their Spot quadrupedal robot.
Particularly, so it seems with plant process inspections.
For automated inspection, I think that legged robots make sense in some cases - and folks like Boston Robotics have apparently had market success with their Spot quadrupedal robot.
Particularly, so it seems with plant process inspections.
The teams involved with this project are already intended on designing "specialized welding equipment" for these humanoid robots.
If specially designing the welding equipment is on the table, then why not also the robot into something similarly domain-specific?
I would need to understand that.
If specially designing the welding equipment is on the table, then why not also the robot into something similarly domain-specific?
I would need to understand that.
May 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The teams involved with this project are already intended on designing "specialized welding equipment" for these humanoid robots.
If specially designing the welding equipment is on the table, then why not also the robot into something similarly domain-specific?
I would need to understand that.
If specially designing the welding equipment is on the table, then why not also the robot into something similarly domain-specific?
I would need to understand that.
🧵 Right.
Well, unless the vehicle needs additional sensors or a myriad of other design changes to accommodate the design intent for this “Ultra Cruise” - whatever it may be…
If it is not available on even a shipped vehicle, how does GM know that the system is sufficient?
So validation not done?
Well, unless the vehicle needs additional sensors or a myriad of other design changes to accommodate the design intent for this “Ultra Cruise” - whatever it may be…
If it is not available on even a shipped vehicle, how does GM know that the system is sufficient?
So validation not done?
May 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🧵 Right.
Well, unless the vehicle needs additional sensors or a myriad of other design changes to accommodate the design intent for this “Ultra Cruise” - whatever it may be…
If it is not available on even a shipped vehicle, how does GM know that the system is sufficient?
So validation not done?
Well, unless the vehicle needs additional sensors or a myriad of other design changes to accommodate the design intent for this “Ultra Cruise” - whatever it may be…
If it is not available on even a shipped vehicle, how does GM know that the system is sufficient?
So validation not done?
🧵 Yup.
I generally have no interest in Ezra Klein’s podcast or writings, but this popped up on my TikTok and Ken Rogoff hit the nail right on the head here.
Re: The “loss” of American manufacturing jobs.
And I am a big supporter of US #manufacturing - but not in the way that it was.
I generally have no interest in Ezra Klein’s podcast or writings, but this popped up on my TikTok and Ken Rogoff hit the nail right on the head here.
Re: The “loss” of American manufacturing jobs.
And I am a big supporter of US #manufacturing - but not in the way that it was.
May 4, 2025 at 1:47 AM
🧵 Yup.
I generally have no interest in Ezra Klein’s podcast or writings, but this popped up on my TikTok and Ken Rogoff hit the nail right on the head here.
Re: The “loss” of American manufacturing jobs.
And I am a big supporter of US #manufacturing - but not in the way that it was.
I generally have no interest in Ezra Klein’s podcast or writings, but this popped up on my TikTok and Ken Rogoff hit the nail right on the head here.
Re: The “loss” of American manufacturing jobs.
And I am a big supporter of US #manufacturing - but not in the way that it was.