Advanced air mobility (AAM) is an innovative concept that aims to transform transportation by integrating new, highly automated aircraft into existing airspace. These aircraft are designed to move people and cargo between places previously underserved by traditional transportation methods. AAM envisions a future where air travel is more accessible, efficient, and sustainable, offering a potential solution to traffic congestion and environmental concerns.
To facilitate the advancement of emerging aviation technologies in Michigan, the Office of Aeronautics is promoting safe and efficient standards for new aviation facilities, advocating for policy changes to streamline operations, and serving as an educational leader in the AAM space. Our goal is to create sustainability within our communities by encouraging emerging technologies to benefit all citizens, promote mobility, and spur economic growth.
The AAM Activation Fund aims to create a centralized pipeline of projects that have the potential to validate technical and economic feasibility of key AAM use cases, generate critical data that can be used to inform policy making, and accelerate AAM readiness and growth in Michigan.
More informationThese projects are helping Michigan achieve our AAM goals.
Explore Round 1 AAM Activation Fund projects.
CVS will integrate Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) to address critical challenges in healthcare and emergency services within the community of Troy, Michigan. This project will enable rapid, middle-mile and last-mile delivery of time-sensitive medication, such as specialty infusions, and biologics, delivering directly from specialty pharmacy to retail pharmacy locations. Additionally, drones will be equipped with life-saving tools, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and Narcan kits to respond to critical emergencies in under 4 minutes.
Jack Demmer Automotive Group, in partnership with Airspace Link, Blueflite, Centrepolis Accelerator, and DroneUp, will develop SkyParts Network, specializing in drone infrastructure for automotive logistics, focusing on-demand delivery of car parts using drones. The transportation route will deliver from distribution centers to Jack Demmer Ford dealership locations in Metro Detroit, with future project expanding to deliver directly to vehicles in need of roadside assistance.
University of Michigan is establishing M-Air, an initiative that will create a BVLOS UAS corridor interconnecting the University of Michigan with the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR) at Michigan Central. The new infrastructure will include an open-source digital twin, live air traffic integration, and data engines to monitor and execute multiple use-cases focusing on uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), urban air mobility (UAM), and advanced air mobility (AAM).
Continuation from the previous AAM Activation Fund, Traverse Connect will collaborate with Munson Healthcare, blueflite, DroneUp, and Central Michigan University’s Rural Health Equity Institute to integrate drone logistics into northern Michigan’s regional healthcare operations. The drone operation will focus on medical cargo deliveries between three Munson Healthcare facilities, beginning with Visual-Line-of-Sight test flights and progressing towards Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight.
