Dec 12, 2016
Forward Thinking Policy
Governor Snyder signed widely-supported legislation that further Michigan’s future in the connected vehicle sector. From the Detroit News:
“Snyder chose the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn to sign the significant package of bills that will allow the public to buy and use fully self-driving cars when they are available. The laws also would allow ride-sharing services without drivers to be operated by auto manufacturers or by ride-hailing services such as Lyft or Uber.”
The new guidelines put Michigan in front of the nation regarding autonomous vehicle regulation and safety, and allow our industry to innovate with a clear understanding of how these technologies will merge onto Michigan’s roadways. As OEM’s and tech companies begin to partner on research and development, and eventually product and service, these new policies will make Michigan the destination for firms servicing any part of the emerging supply chain.
ACM Begins Construction
Just two weeks prior to the bill-signing, a new era of Michigan’s automotive history began: On November 21st, the American Center for Mobility (ACM) broke ground on construction of the 335-acre autonomous and connected vehicle testing site. The ACM property, located in Ypsilanti Township and directly adjacent to Willow Run Airport, was officially purchased on November 4, 2016. ACM is the western most anchor of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, which is heavily R&D oriented.
A rendering of a proposed test track at the new American Center for Mobility site. Photo courtesy of CrainsDetroit.com.
The ACM will serve the world’s leading OEM’s and tech giants, alongside start-up companies and entrepreneurs who all comprise the future of transportation. In addition to building out the roadways and tech infrastructure, the ACM will construct brick-and-motor buildings and homes to replicate the exact environments these vehicles will face upon deployment. Urban, suburban, and rural settings will be spread across the site, including a high-speed loop being developed using a currently under-utilized stretch of Michigan Avenue. There are four particularly important assets that make this location ideal for testing all possible variable road conditions, and the ACM will not have to invest a dollar in their critical presence: Michigan’s seasons.
A Perfect Partnership
Present at the groundbreaking were the partners and expert team that will guide Michigan’s role in the future of transportation. Leading the ACM team will be John Maddox, serving as President and CEO. Maddox has a long history in the automotive industry. He served as the Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety Research for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and spent 14 years with the Ford Motor Company as a senior research engineer. Along with Maddox will be Laurel Champion as the Chief Operating Officer. She is a co-founder of Ann Arbor SPARK and was formerly the general manager for Southeast Michigan for the MLive Media Group. Soraya Kim, the Chief Innovation Officer, comes to the American Center for Mobility from Quantum Innovations, LLC, where she served as the President and CEO. Andrew Smart, the Chief Technical Officer, has over 30 years of experience in program and management leadership.
The ACM is a joint initiative of the State of Michigan, founded in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the University of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan, and Ann Arbor SPARK. The ACM’s Board of Directors is chaired by Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Doug Rothwell, and includes top officials from the ACM’s founding partners.
