Why the Off-Road Industry Is Ripe for Innovation: Insights with Stacey Stewart
18 March 2025
At Potential, we’re lucky to have some of the best minds in the industry helping us push the boundaries of what’s possible. One of those minds is Stacey Stewart, an engineering leader with over 20 years at Polaris under his belt and Potential's strategic advisor. We recently sat down with him to chat about his experience, why the powersports industry moves at a breakneck pace, and why he believes our approach is uniquely positioned to transform off-road vehicles.
Watch the full interview to hear Stacey’s thoughts on why now is the perfect time for innovation in powersports and what makes Potential stand out.
Built for Powersports, Not Just Adapted
One of the biggest mistakes in powersports tech is trying to force automotive solutions onto off-road vehicles. It rarely translates well because powersports OEMs have timelines, risk profiles, and product goals different from those of their automotive counterparts.
“Typically, automotive suppliers want to sell the same technology to a powersports company,” Stacey explains. “But powersports and automotive are fundamentally different. Potential is actually paying attention to how the powersports companies operate.”
Instead of retrofitting old ideas, we’re building from the ground up, making sure our technology fits seamlessly into how powersports OEMs design, build, and sell vehicles, on their timelines, not automotive’s.
Powersports Moves Fast. So Do We.
If you've ever worked in the powersports industry, you know it's a different world from automotive. Because the volumes are lower and the risk tolerance is higher pushing new tech into powersports often happens quicker.
“Powersports companies have shorter product cycles, and they’re more willing to take risks than the auto industry,” Stacey points out. “They have a different mindset when it comes to adopting new technology.”
This space thrives on innovation, and the shorter timelines and higher risk tolerance make it the perfect environment to develop and prove our advanced off-road systems.
The Right Time for a Big Leap
For years, off-road vehicles have needed a smarter way to handle tough terrain. Now, thanks to advances in computing and AI, real-time decision-making is finally possible.
“The ability to examine a situation, make decisions for the vehicle, and even reconfigure it on the fly, that’s the performance advantage,” Stacey says. “It’ll make the rider a better rider than they actually are.”
This capability extends beyond suspension alone. Our Terrain Intelligence system can inform everything from power distribution to vehicle stability, radically improving off-road performance and overall ride experience.
A Competitive Edge OEMs Can’t Ignore
At the end of the day, powersports is about performance. Riders want the best machines, and OEMs need to stay ahead of the competition.
“This isn’t just about adding new features—it’s about making vehicles perform better than anything else on the market,” Stacey says. “Every year, manufacturers need to raise the bar. And Potential is helping them do it.”
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