False starts and missteps define the auto industry’s initial attempts to build software-defined vehicles. In this panel discussion from Automotive News Congress, experts detailed the right way to prioritize software and unlock its transformative potential. The panel includes Bosch’s Stefan Buerkle, Intel Automotive’s Rebeca Delgado, Gentex CEO Steve Downing, General Motors’ Achim Pantfoerder and Ford Motor Co.’s Alex Purdy.

Shift brings two timely conversations this week. First, Austin Russell explores what it takes to industrialize lidar at a time of turbulence in the industry. Then, Jeff Allen, previews the Forth electric transportation conference as it moves to Detroit.

The director of the University of Michigan’s Law and Mobility Program argues against removing humans from self-driving vehicles and suggests the autonomous-vehicle industry can learn a lot from aviation on building trust.

The chair of the automated and connected vehicle practice at law firm Venable breaks down California’s new draft regulations regarding autonomous trucks. Further, he details the state of AV laws and regulations –- or absence thereof -- across the country.

The CEO of ChargerHelp weighs in on the industry’s inaccurate uptime calculation and what issues actually underlie charger unreliability.

The Guidehouse Insights principal analyst examines forces driving Ford Motor Co. to scale back its electric-vehicle plans, steady sales growth in the overall EV market, and why it’s hard for legacy automakers to get software right.

The administrator of the Federal Highway Administration details a new U.S. DOT plan for rolling out a long-simmering technology capable of saving thousands of lives on American roads. Further, he discusses the ways artificial intelligence and infrastructure can accelerate safety improvements and reduce the more than 40,000 traffic deaths that occur in the U.S. every year.

The founder and CEO of the multi-city EV festival details the impact of a shift from early adopters to mass-market consumers and identifies counterintuitive ways to drive adoption of electric vehicles.

The managing partner at FM Capital examines barriers to electric-vehicle proliferation. Further, he discusses investing in transportation-tech startups and the economic conditions ending the “order taking” era in the auto industry.

Although hydrogen may cost more initially, the FirstElement Fuel co-founder and chief business development officer argues hydrogen-powered trucks will be more efficient and viable than battery-electric counterparts at scale.