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Michigan Mobility and Electrification Report mid September

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Governor Whitmer Announces Recipients of Michigan Mobility Funding Platform Grants

This past week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the five recipient companies of the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grant funding at Kettering University‘s GM Mobility Research Center in Flint. More than $444K in funding was awarded to MUVE, Airspace Link, KUHMUTE, GreenRoute, and Michigan Flyer to deploy mobility pilots in Flint, East Lansing, Detroit, Southeast Michigan, and Washtenaw County.

“These five companies will help bring Michigan closer to our goal of providing sustainable, equitable, and accessible transportation options for all residents, and I’m confident this technology will have a lasting positive impact on our communities,” said Governor Whitmer.

The first round of the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grants builds on the success of a previous MEDC mobility initiative that focuses on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions that improve environmental sustainability, alleviate mobility barriers, increase access to affordable and reliable transportation options, and modernize existing transportation systems.

READ FULL RELEASE HERE

Lt. Governor Gilchrist II Announces Last-Mile Delivery Pilot in Corktown
 
 

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced Detroit has been selected as one of four cities to pilot a last-mile delivery technology from Kiwibot. The pilot aims to provide safe delivery solutions for small business owners and increase access to goods for Detroit residents in response to the rising demand for e-commerce due to the pandemic.

“This pilot with Kiwibot builds on our commitment to provide our small businesses with innovative resources to grow and thrive, while providing residents with affordable, equitable access to critical goods like food and medicine,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.

The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification is partnering with the City of Detroit, Corktown Business Association, Michigan Central and Newlab on the pilot with Kiwibot to deploy sidewalk, last-mile delivery robots in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan’s Three Major Research Universities Lead Nation in Developing Mobility Talent
 
 

Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC), consisting of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, leads the nation in preparing students for careers in the mobility industry following graduation.

According to the report from URC, the three universities accounted for 14,824 (2019-2020) graduates from 87 majors entering the mobility industry. The URC also accounted for $542.4M in automotive R&D funding between 2015-2019.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listen: OFME Launches New Podcast – “The Future Of”- Available Now!
 
 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification announced the launch of a new four-episode podcast, “The Future Of” hosted by Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. “The Future Of” focuses on how the future of mobility will impact communities, small businesses, and other aspects of daily life, and how the state of Michigan is leading efforts to help shape it.

Each episode will feature industry experts offering unique and insightful perspectives on topics ranging from the future of commuting, electric and autonomous vehicles, how airports will adapt in the changing environment and what our main streets will look like in the future. Episodes will air on Cumulus Media channels throughout the state as well as thegreatvoice.com and Spotify.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Insider: The Future of Mobility with OFME, Uber, Cruise – Full Video
 
 

Business Insider hosted its event The Future of Mobility: Data Driving Innovation which included conversations journalists, and leaders from the transportation, government, and technology sectors.

The event’s ‘Smart Cities and Urban Mobility’ panel included Michigan Chief Mobility Officer, Trevor Pawl, Uber‘s Global Head of Cities and Transportation Policy, Shin-pei Tsay, and Cruise‘s Vice President of Product, Oliver Cameron. Together the trio discussed their own definitions of ‘Smart Cities’ and how collaboration amongst sectors is vital to making our cities smarter.

 
 
WATCH FULL EVENT HERE
 
 
 
 
 
Michigan Mobility Funding Platform: Rolling Applications Now Open
 
 

The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have partnered to launch the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform aimed at providing vital grant funding to mobility and electrification companies of all sizes looking to deploy their technology in Michigan.

The funding platform is designed to accelerate investment in solutions that create safer, more equitable and environmental conscious transportation for all Michiganders, as well as fostering mobility and electrification companies with high trajectories in Michigan and want to play a key role in the state’s mobility ecosystem. Grants are focused in three primary areas:

Sustainable Futures: Improve environmental sustainability by encouraging electric vehicle adoption and the buildout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Equitable Futures: Alleviate mobility barriers and increase access to affordable and reliable transportation options

Multimodal Transportation: Modernize existing transportation systems and keep Michigan at the forefront across all connected and autonomous transportation modes

 
 
 

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