Chris Holman talks with the newly appointed Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan, Trevor Pawl. This interview covers Governor Whitmer's plans for the new position, the scope of the role as Chief Mobility Officer, and the current status of PlanetM.
Watch full interview below!
In the interview, Chris congratulates Trevor on the new position of Chief Mobility Officer for the state of Michigan. While not a direct report, the newly appointed position is a dotted-line to the governor. MEDC as well as LEO have ownership stakes along with MDOT and EGLE.
Trevor shares Governor Whitmer plans on developing a stronger MI economy. Part of the plan is to unify efforts of the wide-ranging mobility under one common vision to compete globally. Which will change the way the mobility industry moves over the next 2-3 decades.
Trevor emphasizes on how mobility is wide-reaching beyond the auto industry. There are drones, autonomous logistics, and trains that are all intended to speed up the pace of the economy. In light of COVID-19 they are seeing supply chains becoming more regional, such as seen with PPE. PlanetM shifts in the new arrangement, as they will double-down on projects that worked, like assisting the elderly in the U.P., projects assisting in Detroit, and helping start-ups.
Trevor sees them working with MICHauto, and other organizations across the state, however, mobility is shifting from basic robotaxi efforts and mindset to the movement of goods, trucking, smart-infrastructure, what you can do with roads to help make longer time decisions, and making things safer for the decade to come.