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Governor Whitmer launches air corridor for drones in Michigan and Ontario

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that Michigan and Ontario are collaborating on a “first-of-its kind technology initiative” involving unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones.

This effort involves studying the feasibility of a commercial drone skyway in three proposed areas, including an international connection between Michigan and Ontario, southeast Michigan, and any other suitable location in the state.

Through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC), the State of Michigan, with support from the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Government of Ontario, through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), will explore whether small drones can be flown beyond the line of sight of a pilot and be used in operations like just-in-time delivery, medical transport, or other small-scale deployment of UAS. [Read more…] about Governor Whitmer launches air corridor for drones in Michigan and Ontario

Michigan Governor Whitmer awards substantial grants to accelerate mobility and electric vehicle investments in the state

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was joined by state, local and university officials at Kettering University’s GM Mobility Research Center in Flint to announce the first round of Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grants.

Five mobility companies – MUVE, Airspace Link, Kuhmute, GreenRoute and Michigan Flyer – received more than $444,000 in funding to deploy mobility pilots in Michigan that alleviate mobility barriers and help accelerate electric vehicle adoption.

Governor Whitmer said: “These grants are securing a foundation for mobility companies across the state that builds on our reputation as a global leader in testing and deployment of future mobility solutions, but also create a runway to future growth and jobs right here in Michigan. [Read more…] about Michigan Governor Whitmer awards substantial grants to accelerate mobility and electric vehicle investments in the state

CapStone invests $10 million in Perrone Robotics

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CapStone Holdings, a business incubator and investment group, has made a $10 million equity investment in Perrone Robotics, a provider of fully autonomous vehicle systems. 

Perrone delivers autonomous mobility through what it says is “the world’s first and only patented general purpose robotics operating system and autonomous vehicle retrofit kit” (TONY).

TONY embeds inside any vehicle for any job, to provide an “artificial driver” solution that brings full autonomy in a safety certifiable framework for the right vehicle platform. [Read more…] about CapStone invests $10 million in Perrone Robotics

Epson signs up Industrial Control as distributor in Michigan

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Epson Robots has signed up Industrial Control, a provider of factory automation solutions, products, and training, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions in the state of Michigan.

Epson says Industrial Control’s wealth of knowledge and experience gained through long-standing relationships with machine builders, combined with Epson Robots’ technology, will help manufacturers “reach today’s challenging factory automation objectives”.

Mark Ermatinger, CEO of Industrial Control, says: “Customers are asking for smarter, pre-engineered, and turn-key solutions to help reduce risks and save time. [Read more…] about Epson signs up Industrial Control as distributor in Michigan

Locomation completes autonomous truck test involving three states

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Locomation, a startup company providing autonomous trucking technology, has completed an on-road test that involved three different states in America.

The pilot program is intended to showcase autonomous trucking technology for the SmartBelt Coalition (SBC), a collaboration of five transportation agencies and seven research and academic institutions, located throughout Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Over the course of one week, two Locomation trucks performed three separate interstate routes under close observation from representatives of all involved organizations. [Read more…] about Locomation completes autonomous truck test involving three states

Michigan university scientists’ new solar panels could eventually lead to self-powering skyscrapers

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Imagine if all the glass we see on the sides of skyscrapers and other buildings were actually solar cells in disguise, collecting energy from the sun and helping to power the building and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. 

That is the dream of many scientists who are working on the technology. Essentially, they want to replace the silicon material that glass is made out of with material that is more suitable for capturing solar energy.

While green energy has made great strides in recent years – with Germans as a nation recently using more electricity from alternative sources than traditional gas- and oil-based power – there’s still a long way to go. [Read more…] about Michigan university scientists’ new solar panels could eventually lead to self-powering skyscrapers

Michigan to redesign road network to accommodate driverless cars

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The State of Michigan is planning to redesign its road network to accommodate driverless cars, according to a report on CNN.

Authorities in the state refer back to the area’s history as the home of some of the world’s largest automotive companies and factories.

The city of Detroit, Michigan used to known as “Motor City” in decades gone by, inspiring the name of the famous record label “Motown”, which launched the careers and made global stars of singers such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, and Michael Jackson. [Read more…] about Michigan to redesign road network to accommodate driverless cars

Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

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Drivers of electric vehicles will have more locations to recharge their vehicle’s batteries as they travel across Michigan because of $1.7 million in grants awarded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The EGLE made the funding available for direct current fast chargers located along well-traveled routes. It says this will “make it more convenient for drivers to reach their destinations”.

EGLE says it is committed to the future of mobility through investment in infrastructure that is needed to support EVs and it has identified “optimal charger locations” across Michigan. [Read more…] about Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

Pratt Miller and partners demo disinfecting robot at Grand Rapids airport

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Pratt Miller Mobility has demonstrated its Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting (LAAD) Vehicle at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The robot is the result of a Pratt Miller’s partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and PlanetM, and the demo was conducted in front of key stakeholders and members of the press.

The partner companies say the LAAD robot is “the first-of-its-kind” to be introduced in the US, as it is a connected, electric and autonomous disinfecting robot that dispenses FDA-approved disinfecting materials through a multi-head electrostatic sprayer array. [Read more…] about Pratt Miller and partners demo disinfecting robot at Grand Rapids airport

Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

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PlanetM, the State of Michigan’s mobility initiative, is awarding a round of its technology activation grant program to companies addressing the challenges presented by the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

Five companies received more than $280,000 in funding to aid in the development and deployment of solutions that address the mobility challenges Covid-19 presents in Michigan.

The five companies are:

  1. GHSP;
  2. Gatik;
  3. Penske Vehicle Services;
  4. RCO Engineering; and
  5. Pratt Miller.

The mobility challenges include contactless automated delivery within the statewide retail supply chain, disinfecting technologies in West Michigan and barriers to protect transit workers in Detroit. [Read more…] about Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan