As Michigan strengthens its position as the global capital of mobility and a leader in the electrification revolution, the OFME works across state government, academia, and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies, and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses. Kathryn Snorrason was recently announced as Interim Chief Mobility Officer and head of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification with previous Chief Mobility Officer, Trevor Pawl, stepping down effective Jan. 27.

The Chief Mobility Officer position is currently posted on the Careers page of michiganbusiness.org and will be filled through a competitive hiring process in partnership between the Executive Office of the Governor, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the MEDC.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority has announced the third round of companies that will receive a total of $171,000 in grant funding through the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE). One of the first airport-based initiatives in the nation, FLITE provides funding to encourage the design, development, and pilot testing of new products and services in a live airport environment. The five companies that will receive grant funding through this next round include:

• Cyberworks Robotics: Retrofitting autonomous navigation technology for OEM products.
• Deaf AI: Training machines with artificial intelligence to use sign language to improve the experience of communicating with those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Renu Robotics: Revolutionizing the way aviation facilities conduct vegetation management with autonomous lawnmowers.
• Solartonic: Enhancing security resilience with autonomous smart solar-powered lighting and camera systems with reduced operating costs.
• UV Angel: Using first-of-its-kind software to reduce bacteria, viruses, and molds on frequently touched surfaces and in the air.

FLITE grants are made possible in partnership with the MEDC, Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines, Stantec GenerationAV, and the West Michigan Aviation Academy.

Applications for round four of FLITE are being accepted now through June 30, 2023, at michiganbusiness.org/mobility-funding.

Skyhook Solar has announced the successful launch of a Skyhook Solar Station to power MoGo Detroit’s new e-charging bikeshare station. The deployment is the first of its kind for MoGo’s ebikes, helping to advance Michigan’s vision for a vibrant, connected community with a range of mobility options. Funding for MoGo's Skyhook station was made possible through a $80,000 Michigan Mobility Funding Program grant from the MEDC.

• February 9: February Mobility Meetup
• February 16: Detroit on the Move: Celebrating the Evolution of Black Mobility
• February 24-March 5: Cleveland Auto Show
• March 6-7: Electric Vehicles Battery Tech USA
• March 14-16: SAE International AeroTech
• March 21-23: Automotive IQ Connected Vehicles USA
• April 4-5: Global Symposium on Mobility Innovation
• April 18-20: SAE International WCX
• May 9-11: Financial Times Live Future of the Car
• May 9-11: AutoSens in Detroit
• May 16-18: Autonomous Vehicles Silicon Valley
• June 7-8: AutoTech: Detroit
• June 28-30: Auto.AI
• September 13-24: Detroit Auto Show
• October: AutoTech: Electrification
• October 25-26: American Automotive Summit
• November 8-9: Reuters Automotive USA 2023

• Bamboo Detroit Mobility Founders Hour – Join a bimonthly, virtual meetup for founders and leaders of high growth mobility startups to connect, share resources, and meet special guest speakers
• 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
• MICHauto – Organization that promotes, retains, and grows Michigan’s signature industry as the state’s only automotive and mobility cluster association
• MICHauto Automobility Asset Map – Shows nearly 250 locations that are active contributors to the industry, including OEMs, assembly plants, suppliers, proving grounds, entrepreneur resources, mobility projects, universities, and transportation hubs.
• Michigan Mobility Funding Platform – Test site deployments and real-world deployments 
• Michigan STEM Forward Internships – A statewide partnership between the MEDC and Ann Arbor SPARK which aims to connect the brightest upcoming talent with innovative and growing companies throughout Michigan
• Michigan EGLE: Charge Up Michigan – Opportunity to apply for funding 
• Mobility Makers – Community of professionals dedicated to sustainable mobility
• MotorCites National Heritage Area Events – Details regarding the organization’s 25th anniversary celebration are coming soon!
• NAIAS Applications for Technology Startup Exhibitors – Applications are now open for technology startups to exhibit at the upcoming auto show this fall
• Ongoing Funding Opportunities through NextEnergy
• Plug and Play Tech Center Detroit powered by AmplifyD – Resources for startups looking to reach OEMs and Tier 1 Suppliers

U-M Alum Manny Martinez says it’s “breathtaking” to be a part of the Michigan Central Station transformation | University of Michigan
As a kid growing up in southwest Detroit, Manuel “Manny” Martinez spent many days playing paintball in the long-abandoned Michigan Central Station.

Today, the University of Michigan graduate is performing a key role in the $1 billion train station restoration being undertaken by Ford Motor Co. He’s the on-site project superintendent for Christman-Brinker, a construction company joint venture transforming the building into a major office center for Ford and other mobility-focused companies.

Meet the Ann Arbor autonomous vehicle company looking to shake things up | The Detroit News (subscription required) 
As some question the future of fully autonomous vehicles, an Ann Arbor-based AV company is pushing forward with a different strategy to increase mobility where needed.

May Mobility, backed by Toyota Motor Corp. and other big-name corporations, plans to take the safety driver out of its AVs this year and expand outside the three cities it’s currently operating in. Unlike other AV companies, May Mobility is focused on contracting with governments and businesses instead of going directly to consumers.

Auburn Hills’ Continental Announces Partnership to Advance AI Driving Tech | Dbusiness
Technology company Continental, with its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, announced during its press conference at CES 2023 in January a strategic partnership with Ambarella Inc., an edge artificial intelligence semiconductor company.

The two companies will jointly develop scalable, end-to-end software and hardware systems based on AI for assisted and automated driving. The partners now are combining Ambarella’s computer vision know-how, powerful system-on-chips, and software modules with Continental’s software and hardware expertise and broad portfolio of automotive system solutions.

Stellantis signs nickel sulphate deal for EV batteries | The Detroit News
The maker of Jeep SUVs, Ram pickup trucks, and other vehicles on Wednesday said it has signed a supply agreement to secure nickel sulphate for electric vehicle batteries.

Finland-based Terrafame Ltd. will begin supplying Stellantis NV the minerals in 2025 for the five-year term of the agreement. In a news release, the automaker said the deal "will cover a significant portion of the needs for sustainable regionally sourced nickel" in the company's pivot toward zero-emission vehicles.

Stay connected to the resources dedicated to Michigan’s evolution of transportation mobility and electrification by following @MobilityMI on Twitter and LinkedIn, and by visiting michiganbusiness.org/mobility. Keep up with the latest in mobility ecosystem development and mobility policy at the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) by visiting michiganbusiness.org/ofme.