The Michigan Business Network recently held its Mobility Luncheon where Director of Mcity, Huei Peng Ph.D gave a keynote speech on the current status of the mobility industry.

There is talk of the autonomous vehicle being on the verge of populating our streets. However, Huei Peng Ph.D begins with the forward statement, “automated is not autonomous.” During his keynote speech he describes five (0-5) levels of automation and most automated vehicles have barely entered into the first level (see slide 2). Huei continues with the multiple challenges that need to be addressed before truly arriving at a safe and reliable point for these vehicles to drive on public roads. This includes testing the vehicles in a controlled environment where they can be be carefully monitored.

Located in Ann Arbor, Mcity is a public-private partnership dedicated to leading the revolution in mobility. They currently are developing the foundations necessary for a commercially viable ecosystem of automated vehicles.