Skip to main content

Michigan invites visits to Planet M

The Michigan booth here at ITS America 2016 San Jose introduces “Planet M,” a brand showcasing Michigan’s resources, leadership, partnerships and investments that make it the hub of mobility innovations. Visitors to the booth will learn how the state that put the world on wheels is leading the next generation of mobility.
June 14, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Kirk Steudle of the State of Michigan Department of Transportation

The Michigan booth here at ITS America 2016 San Jose introduces “8439 Planet M,” a brand showcasing Michigan’s resources, leadership, partnerships and investments that make it the hub of mobility innovations.

Visitors to the booth will learn how the state that put the world on wheels is leading the next generation of mobility.

As the line between technology and transportation continues to blur, Michigan aims to resume its role as a worldwide leader. Detroit automakers and other Michigan manufacturers are driving investments and partnerships that merge advanced manufacturing experience with innovative new technologies.

The 1688 Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation are investing in people, programs and projects that will transform the way manufacturers make vehicles and transportation agencies deliver services to meet the ever-changing needs of 21st century mobility.

Michigan is where big ideas in mobility are born as visitors to the booth will learn. Planet M represents Michigan’s legacy, its leadership and its future. And the state has much to offer. It is home to the largest deployment of freeway and surface street V2I technology in the United States. Michigan is also home to Mcity, a 32-acre connected and autonomous vehicle testing site that simulates urban and suburban environments.

In the final stages of approval, The American Centre for Mobility, a 335-
acre site, targeted to open in 2017, will provide additional testing and validation resources, including higher speeds and interaction with rail and flight.

Most recently, Michigan introduced a bipartisan package of bills that would allow self-driving cars to operate on any Michigan road and eliminate the need for a driver to be behind the wheel while in operation and also approved the creation of on-demand autonomous vehicle networks operated by manufacturers, for example General Motors and Lyft.

Related Content

  • February 11, 2015
    Mixed views on reintroduction of US Wi-Fi Innovation Act
    US Senators Marco Rubio and Cory Booker have reintroduced S. 424, the Wi-Fi Innovation Act, legislation to expand unlicensed spectrum use by requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test the feasibility of opening the upper 5 GHz band to unlicensed use. At a time when demand for spectrum is drastically increasing, the legislation aims to provide more of this valuable resource to the public to bolster innovation, spur economic development, and increase connectivity. According to Rubio,
  • January 25, 2021
    Tactile Mobility's virtual virtuous circle
    Virtual sensors will allow a safer driving experience and reduce road maintenance costs. Tactile Mobility’s Eitan Grosbard talks to David Arminas about what once seemed 'pure sci-fi'...
  • February 6, 2012
    ITS events vital forum for networking, calls to action
    Tom Kern, executive VP of ITS America, on why he believes events like the forthcoming ITS World Congress are so important for the industry
  • January 20, 2012
    ITS events vital forum for networking, calls to action
    Tom Kern, executive VP of ITS America, on why he believes events like the forthcoming ITS World Congress are so important for the industry. This October's World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems is coming home. Home to Orlando, that is. The first America's-based World Congress took place in Orlando in 1996 and now, 15 years later, the sixth Americas World Congress and 18th overall returns just in time to see how far Florida has come in the deployment of ITS technologies helping to make for safe, mob