The University of Michigan Transportation Institute’s (UMTRI) connected vehicle safety program has contracted two mobility suppliers – Iteris and Continental – to deploy their Vantage Fusion hybrid video and radar traffic detection technology at more than 20 signalized intersections in Ann Arbor.

The three-year, $20 million project seeks to demonstrate significant safety benefits of vehicle-to-everything (V2X)-enabled detection systems.

“One of the most promising aspects of this project is that we will be able to pave the way for a national connected and automated vehicle deployment,” said Henry Liu, research professor at UMTRI, and director at the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT) and Mcity.

Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) and mobility solutions company MUVE have launched GO MUVE, a mobile app aiming to bridge gaps in transportation across the county. The application features on-demand bookings, fixed route scheduling, dispatch mapping, and driver in-bus real-time information updates.

“By collaborating with MUVE, we can now support our community’s options for e-reservations on both door-to-door and accessible fixed route transit,” WAVE’s Executive Director Julia Roberts said in a release.

Users can do the following with the app:

• Specify accessibility needs for themselves or their loved ones, for a safe and affordable mobility experience.
• Easily book on-demand or schedule accessible trips, with door-to-door, arm-to-arm assistance from drivers trained for sensitivity awareness and able to assist users of all abilities.
• Be part of community events and social inclusion initiatives.
• Tag accessible locations and help their communities.

“Working in conjunction with WAVE, we’ve been able to create an elevated mobility standard for Washtenaw County that improves access, reliability, and inclusivity in transportation solutions for people of all abilities,” MUVE Co-Founder and Technology Lead Anthony W. Shannon said in a release.

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) has announced the expansion of the Detroit Service Training Center, which is used to train technicians in electric powertrain service, battery maintenance, and full truck repair.

The Detroit Service Training Center is one of three corporate truck service training centers located in/adjacent to DTNA manufacturing plants.

Courses in both diesel and electric vehicles are available at the facility and offered to the nearly 10,000 technicians who support 770 Detroit distribution and service locations. Onsite trainers instruct technicians on basic truck maintenance and repairs, to platform-specific advanced diagnostic training on the newest Freightliner and Western Star trucks.

The Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have partnered to launch the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) aimed at providing vital grant funding to mobility and electrification companies of all sizes looking to deploy their technology in Michigan. Grants are focused on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions across three key areas of focus:

• Sustainable Futures: Improve environmental sustainability by encouraging EV adoption and the buildout of EV 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

For Michigan-based entities working to address a mobility/electrification challenge or solution providers looking to find a Michigan-based partner, additional Interest Forms are also now available to support those both seeking and providing solutions through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform.

OFME, along with Newlab, MDOT, NextEnergy, and Silicon Foundry will host a virtual informational session on the MMFP on Thursday, May 5 at 1 p.m. ET. Companies interested in applying for MMFP support will learn about the grant opportunity, receive tips and best practices for submitting an application, and connect with other companies and Michigan partners to explore collaborations.

Additionally, more information about eligibility for testing environments and real-world deployments, and past grant recipients is available at the landing page here. The current rolling application period ends June 30, 2022.

See below a sample of how a round of recently awarded MMFP test site grants will be deployed by recipients:

• ChargeGo received $16,500 in funding to conduct testing at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) to support its Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Certification.
• Ann Arbor-based !important received $16,000 towards working with car manufacturers, telecom companies, and government officials to improve road safety for all at the ACM.
• Nostrum Energy, also based in Ann Arbor, has been awarded a $7,000 grant to test innovations in fuel performance and efficiency at ACM.
• Remora, a Livonia-based developer of carbon capture technologies for semi-trucks, received $18,000 towards testing its solutions at ACM.
• Grand Blanc-based CNXMotion was awarded $25,000 to further develop vehicle hardware and software components at the Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center.

Join MICHauto and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), in partnership with Plug and Play Detroit, for a Mobility Meetup at The Factory at Corktown on Thursday, April 28 at 5 p.m. ET. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with mobility companies and partner organizations, as well as hear remarks from Mark de la Vergne, vice president of project development for Cavnue.

Space is limited! Register today at this link (using event password “meetup“), or contact Devon O’Reilly at 313-402-0371 for more information.

• DriveElectric.gov – Information on all federal EV-related news and opportunities
• DOE Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding Opportunities – The latest notices and RFP opportunities for programs related to clean energy and lower carbon emissions
• H2 Matchmaker – An online resource to help hydrogen suppliers and users identify stakeholders across the supply chain
• Michigan Mobility Funding Platform – Test site deployments and real-world deployments
• Plug and Play Tech Center Detroit powered by AmplifyD – Resources for startups looking to reach OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers
• Michigan EGLE: Charge Up Michigan – Opportunity to apply for funding
• Mobility Makers – Community of professionals dedicated to sustainable mobility
• Ongoing Funding Opportunities through NextEnergy