New Autonomous Mobility Vision for Michigan

Key project partners: Pratt and Miller Engineering, Comet Mobility, Robotic Research, Easterseals, Kevadiya, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University (WMU)

Description: New Autonomous Mobility Vision for Michigan involves building, testing and piloting two low-speed accessible automated electric shuttles on the campus of the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center. The VA hospital later backed out, and the project pilot was moved to WMU.

Award amount: $2,198,809

Current status: The project has been completed with a public demonstration and testing performed on WMU’s campus in Kalamazoo. This pilot received generally positive reaction from study group participants, despite weight and space constraints. Navigating an accessible autonomous vehicle in a high-traffic pedestrian area without excessive slowing or stopping is challenging. Refining vehicle response to pedestrians to reduce travel time while maintaining safety is an important consideration for future development.

Final report