Detroit Smart Parking Lab expands to Include Drone Testing and Rooftop Flight Space

The initiative reflects Michigan’s commitment to leveraging its mobility ecosystem to support Advanced Air Mobility growth

DETROIT, Sept. 25, 2025 -- Today, the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) announced a $1.5M investment to help establish a rooftop drone testing space at the Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL), funded in-part through the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM), with additional support from the State of Michigan and Bedrock Detroit.

The new space will host startups and other innovators to test drone technologies, accelerating commercial and public adoption and further strengthening Michigan’s national leadership in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector. This investment aligns with Michigan’s broader strategy, driven by its AAM Initiative, to employ the state’s robust mobility workforce, manufacturing base, and infrastructure assets to advance the deployment of AAM technologies.

The rooftop drone space will operate within the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region, a designated area that offers airspace and infrastructure access for the safe testing of new AAM applications. The DSPL testing site’s location within this region, as well as the City of Detroit’s Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ), will provide companies with streamlined permitting and regulatory pathways, making it one of the most accessible and secure urban drone test sites in the country.

“The new DSPL rooftop drone space reflects Michigan’s approach to scaling the emerging AAM sector by applying our deep automotive expertise,” said Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson, with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “DSPL has already proven to be a catalyst for innovation in automated mobility and logistics, and we’re eager to see what new solutions emerge from this expanded test site. We’re also excited to identify new companies that can utilize DSPL and showcase to Michigan and the world the transformative potential of drone technologies.”

The GEM funding was made possible by a $52.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Leading the “Testing and Proving” pillar of the GEM initiative, OFME is leveraging the EDA funding to support testing in controlled and/or simulated environments. Test sites supported include the DSPL, American Center for Mobility, Kettering University, GM Mobility Research Center, and MCity at the University of Michigan. Funding is being used to improve these assets to increase access to state-of-the-art testing technologies, as exemplified by the rooftop drone project at DSPL.

Launched in 2021 and located at the Bedrock Detroit-owned Assembly Garage, DSPL has served as the nation’s first real-world testing site for emerging parking, mobility, and electric vehicle charging technologies. Innovators from around the world have used the site to pilot solutions that enhance urban mobility. DSPL is sponsored by Bedrock Detroit, OFME, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and Ford Motor Company, and is operated by NextEnergy.

“The addition of rooftop drone cargo delivery testing expands DSPL’s role as Detroit’s launchpad for next-generation mobility solutions,” said Kevin Mull, Bedrock Sr. Director of Innovation and Strategy, and Co-founder of the DSPL. “By leveraging our location in the TIZ and AAIR, and our deep industry partnerships, we’re providing an unparalleled setting for aerial innovation that supports both Michigan’s economic growth and the nation’s emerging UAS industry.”

Jim Saber, President and CEO of NextEnergy, offered, “The addition of aerial testing at DSPL is a testament to Michigan’s ever-evolving mobility ecosystem. Initially known as a space to test and deploy parking technologies, DSPL is expanding to support the new innovations and investments that make the Detroit region a leader in technology. Through our daily operations work and strategic, collaborative partnerships, NextEnergy is excited to support and witness a new chapter of mobility innovation that encourages technological advancement and bolsters the economy right in our backyard.”

About the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME)

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. Michigan's competitive advantages make the state a place where mobility solutions are born and where companies find long-term success and support.

About Bedrock

Bedrock is an award-winning real estate developer focused on comprehensive city building initiatives in Detroit and Cleveland. Its work includes creating iconic cityscapes, rehabilitating historic properties and making space for the community—all with the philosophy of operating for more than profit.

Since 2011, Bedrock has invested and committed more than $7.5 billion to develop and restore more than 140 properties, totaling over 21 million square feet of office, retail, residential, hospitality, industrial, data centers and parking. In 2024, Bedrock was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.

For additional information about Bedrock, please visit BedrockDetroit.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

About the Global Epicenter of Mobility

The Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) is a signature program led by the Detroit Regional Partnership that is designed to create a smart, secure, sustainable, and inclusive advanced-mobility industry in Southeast Michigan, made possible by a four-year U.S. E.D.A. Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant award.