U.S. Senator Gary Peters Talks with MBN Founder Chris Holman at the 2017 Mackinac Policy Conference. They cover the uncertainty that is surfacing with our current presidency, an update on the autonomous vehicle, and defense contracting in Michigan.
Sen. Peters is focused on ensuring that Michigan remains at the forefront of new connected and self-driving vehicle technologies. Last year, Sen. Peters urgedSecretary Foxx to open a competition for Department of Transportation designated testing grounds, and brought Secretary Foxx, National Highway Transportation Safety Administrator Mark Rosekind and other key stakeholders in the Obama Administration to visit the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti. ACM was named as one of 10 federally-designated proving grounds by the Obama Administration in January of this year. ACM is the only purpose-built testing site, and it’s also located in close proximity to many of Michigan’s automotive R&D centers.
Earlier this year, Sen. Peters announced he is partnering with Commerce Committee Chairman Thune on legislation to help update existing motor vehicle standards to encompass self-driving vehicles.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Peters is also interested in the convergence of advanced technologies in the automotive and defense sectors, and how advances in mobility, automation and self-driving technologies will have transformative military applications as well. He brought Dr. Paul Rogers, the director of TARDEC, the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center based in Warren, MI, as his guest to President Trump’s address to Congress. TARDEC is also conducting real-world testing of V2I technologies on Michigan roads.
The Mackinac Policy Conference is an annual conference that brings together people from business, education, and politics to address some of Michigan’s toughest issues. This platform also allows for crucial networking opportunities as well as providing an excellent resource of insights and news.
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