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| American Center for Mobility | |
|---|---|
| Name | American Center for Mobility |
| Established | 2017 |
| Location | Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, United States |
| Type | Proving Ground |
American Center for Mobility is a purpose-built testing and validation facility for connected, automated, electric, and mobility technologies located in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. The center functions as a public-private partnership testing ecosystem that supports safety validation, systems integration, and commercialization for automotive and technology companies. It operates a configurable proving ground with simulation, data, and standards activities intended to accelerate deployment of advanced mobility systems.
The center was announced in 2016 following initiatives by Michigan Economic Development Corporation and State of Michigan economic policy to retain automotive engineering programs. Construction began after selection of a site adjacent to Willow Run Air Force Station and near Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, leveraging regional assets such as University of Michigan research programs, Oakland University partnerships, and legacy infrastructure from Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Formal opening ceremonies in 2017 included representatives from U.S. Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders such as Toyota, Honda, Bosch, and Denso. Subsequent milestones included expansion of test lanes, certification programs with Underwriters Laboratories, and collaboration agreements with academic institutions including Michigan State University and Kettering University.
The site includes multiple configurable assets: a 2-mile high-speed loop, multiple-diameter roundabouts, intersection grids, and a software-defined urban test village suitable for scenarios derived from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration guidelines. Instrumentation comprises roadside units compatible with Dedicated Short-Range Communications and 5G NR base stations for cellular vehicle-to-everything trials linked to telematics platforms by AT&T, Verizon Communications, and Qualcomm. Sensor suites support lidar units from Velodyne Lidar, radar systems from Continental AG, and camera systems by Bosch Mobility. Data acquisition and replay infrastructure interoperates with simulation stacks from National Instruments, scenario generation from CARLA (simulator), and model-in-the-loop tools used by Siemens and Autodesk. Environmental chambers, battery test racks influenced by standards from Underwriters Laboratories, and vehicle dynamometers complement on-road verification used by tier suppliers like Magna International.
Programs emphasize validation of Level 3 autonomous driving and Level 4 autonomous driving use cases, cybersecurity assessments aligned with SAE International recommendations, and human factors research drawing on methodologies from Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Test protocols address interoperability with SAE J2735 messaging, IEEE 802.11p connectivity, and standards developed by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Research collaborations include scenario catalog development with universities such as Purdue University, vehicle-to-infrastructure trials with municipal partners like City of Ann Arbor, and safety assurance projects with agencies including National Transportation Safety Board. Educational and workforce training programs are conducted in concert with Washtenaw Community College and industry consortia such as Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative.
The center operates through strategic partnerships with automotive manufacturers including BMW (BMW Group), Nissan, Hyundai Motor Company, and suppliers such as Aptiv and ZF Friedrichshafen. Technology partners include Google, Intel Corporation (notably Mobileye initiatives), Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services for cloud-based data services. Collaborative projects have involved standards bodies like ISO, SAE International, and IEEE Standards Association as well as regional economic development organizations such as Ann Arbor SPARK and Detroit Regional Chamber. Multinational testing programs have engaged global research enterprises like Fraunhofer Society and TÜV SÜD for certification and cross-validation activities.
Governance is structured as a public-private partnership with oversight by a board drawn from stakeholders including state appointees from Michigan Economic Development Corporation and industry executives from firms such as Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Initial funding combined state appropriations authorized by the Michigan Legislature and capital commitments from corporate partners including Lear Corporation and Delphi Technologies. Ongoing revenue streams derive from fee-for-service testing, sponsored research agreements with entities like National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and grants from federal sources such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and innovation programs tied to Economic Development Administration initiatives.
The facility aims to accelerate commercialization and regional competitiveness in the mobility sector by providing testing capacity that reduces time-to-market for suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, and startups such as Cruise (company) and Waymo. Economic impact assessments reference job creation linked to suppliers like Aisin Seiki and workforce development through partnerships with institutions including Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College. The center contributes to standards harmonization efforts affecting regulatory pathways involving National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rulemaking and supports pilot deployments in municipalities such as City of Detroit and City of Ann Arbor, influencing investment flows from venture capital firms and corporate R&D centers including Google X and Toyota Research Institute.
Category:Automotive test tracks Category:Research institutes in Michigan Category:Ypsilanti Township, Michigan