The Mobility Innovation Exchange “MIX” Summit, taking place on Sept. 17 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, is an annual conference bringing together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers to discuss emerging transportation technologies shaping Michigan’s future. Later that day, Centrepolis Accelerator will host its Demo Day, showcasing startups and technologies supported by the accelerator and OFME, including awardees of the Make It in Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program. The events will celebrate the kickoff of Mobility Week in Michigan.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
Location: M1 Concourse, 1 Concourse Drive, Pontiac, Michigan 48340
Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Mobility Talent Engine: Bridging Careers from Automotive to Advanced Mobility
Panel:
MODERATOR: SaMiya Carroll, Mobility Fellow
As Michigan’s industrial landscape evolves, how do we equip our workforce for the next generation of transportation? This panel explores how we are closing the skills gap by connecting the automotive workforce with high-growth opportunities in land, air, and water mobility. Join us to discuss how programs like Changing Lanes and the MI Mobility Fellows are transforming local talent into the architects of our clean energy and autonomous future.
Funding the Future: Investing in Michigan's Next Economy
The Future of Mobility is a Cultural Proving Ground
Keynote Speaker: Michael Thomas, PhD
This keynote explores how culture shapes technological innovation long before adoption, informing what problems we choose to solve, what we understand as natural and normal, and ultimately what kinds of futures we imagine. It argues that Michigan’s distinctive opportunity is to serve as a proving ground for the future of mobility: beyond testing whether new technologies work, but determining how they can be integrated into coherent, trustworthy systems at societal scale.
Powering the Corridor: Scaling Regional Innovation Hubs Across Michigan
Panel:
MODERATOR: Luke Polcyn, Fellow Council on Foreign Relations, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Michigan’s mobility leadership is not just centralized in Detroit—it is a statewide effort. This panel examines how regions across Michigan, from the West Coast to the Upper Peninsula, are leveraging local assets to build a cohesive "testbed" for innovation. Learn how regional smart zones and collaborative partnerships are creating the physical and digital infrastructure necessary to keep Michigan the #1 state for launching and scaling future mobility solutions.
Beyond the Assembly Line: Dual-Use Manufacturing for Commercial and Defense Success
Panel:
MODERATOR: Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan
Michigan’s advanced manufacturing heritage is the secret weapon for our future mobility sector. This discussion uncovers how our manufacturing base is transcending traditional automotive roles to power both commercial and defense-related applications. Discover how companies are leveraging Michigan’s expertise in AI-driven automation, lightweight materials, and robotics to solve complex problems in national security, logistics, and next-generation mobility.
