American Center for Mobility

The American Center for Mobility (ACM) is a 500-acre (200 ha) vehicular automation research center and federally designated^[2] automated vehicle proving ground^[3] located in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan.

American Center for Mobility

The American Center for Mobility Offices
Established	December 2017; 6 years ago (2017-12)
Field of research	Vehicular automation
CEO	Reuben Sarkar [1]
Address	2701 Airport Dr
Location	Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, United States 42°14′17.5″N 83°33′15.8″W
ZIP code	48198
Website	www.acmwillowrun.org

History

Founded in December 2017 on the site of the Willow Run manufacturing complex,^[4] the American Center for Mobility began as a joint initiative of the State of Michigan, partnering with Ann Arbor SPARK, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the University of Michigan, and Ypsilanti Township as a way of accelerating autonomous vehicle research regionally and nationally.

Portions of the US Highway 12 alignment and ramps to the former manufacturing complex were repurposed for creation of a test track. Additional roadways and connections were constructed on the site of the complex.

Features

The test track includes a 700-foot (210 m) curved tunnel, 2.5-mile (4.0 km) highway loop, an off-road course, two double overpasses, along with various intersections and roundabouts. The track is branded as "Powered by Intertek" as Intertek serves as operations and maintenance partner.^[5]

In January of 2020 ACM opened its Technology Park, designed to serve as an incubation hub for startups and offices onsite for partners, as well as event and demonstration space.^[6]

In addition to the test track and research center in Ypsilanti, ACM also operates the Detroit Smart Parking Center in Detroit in partnership with Ford, Bedrock, and Bosch.^[7]

References

1. Bigelow, Pete (January 21, 2020). "American Center for Mobility names new CEO". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
2. "U.S. Department of Transportation Designates 10 Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds to Encourage Testing of New Technologies" (Press release). Washington, DC. United States Department of Transportation. January 19, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
3. Vanhulle, Lindsay (January 19, 2017). "American Center for Mobility named federal driverless car proving ground". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
4. Naughton, Nora (December 13, 2017). "American Center for Mobility opens at Willow Run". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
5. Shenouda, Stephanie (November 28, 2017). "American Center for Mobility Names Intertek as Operations, Maintenance Partner". DBusiness Magazine. Detroit. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
6. Lassa, Todd (January 23, 2020). "American Center for Mobility: Inside the Playground for Autonomous, Electric Vehicles". Motor Trend. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
7. Jacobson, Michelle (August 9, 2021). "Ford, Bedrock, Bosch to launch Detroit Smart Parking Lab". Today's Motor Vehicles. Valley View, Ohio. Retrieved October 20, 2021.