Michigan to give $178k to mobility solutions
(The Center Square) – Michigan announced that three companies will receive $178,000 in total funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to deploy mobility projects.
The projects aim to deliver life-saving medications, maximize environmentally-conscious travel experiences, and create more walkable, bikeable and accessible streets.
“In Michigan, our vision for mobility extends beyond the traditional automobile. By innovating our mobility ecosystems, we’re not only enhancing the quality of life for our residents but also providing robust support to diverse industries,” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said in a statement. “This holistic approach is not just about transportation – it’s about driving economic vitality and ensuring a prosperous future for the entire state through collaboration with mobility innovators, such as today’s MMFP grant recipients.”
The funding will flow to three companies – $90,000 to Bedestrian in Dearborn, $8,000 to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor and $80,000 to Numina in Corktown, Detroit.
Bedestrian will deploy a robot in a cancer care clinic to securely deliver chemotherapy and other drugs from a specialty pharmacy lab, testing driverless delivery and the human-machine interaction required to load and retrieve goods.
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge will install street lights that can be individually turned on or off on demand to help maximize views of the International Dark Sky Park that the Lodge is located within, as well as improve customer sleep and attract more environmentally conscious guests to Northern Michigan.
Numina will deploy its sensor technology in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood to measure how all things – not just cars – move in streets to help urban planners design more walkable, bikeable and accessible streets.
The MMFP focuses on scaling mobility solutions that improve environmental sustainability by encouraging electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure buildout, increasing access to affordable and reliable transportation options, and modernizing existing transportation systems.
“Mobility isn’t just about planes, trains and automobiles. That’s why Michigan is thinking holistically about how people and goods move across the state, and pursuing opportunities to use mobility solutions as a catalyst to create better living experiences,” Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson said in a statement. “Through their innovative programs, this latest cohort of grant recipients will showcase how mobility technology can improve efficiencies in other critical sectors in our state, such as healthcare, travel and urban planning.”
The announcement represents the latest in a series of grants awarded through the MMFP.
