U-Mich Mobility Center Adds 27 Affiliate Sponsors

The University of Michigan's new Mobility Transformation Center has added 27 supplier company affiliates to its sponsorship list.

The center is working with the Michigan Dept. of Transportation to build a 32-acre test facilty dubbed Mcity in Ann Arbor, Mich. The site, which will open in July, will be used to evaluate connected and self-driving vehicle technologies in a simulated urban setting. MTC also is coordinating three on-road fleet tests of advanced connectivity systems in southeastern Michigan.

The initial group of supplier affiliates each has pledged $150,000 to MTC over three years. The fee gives them access to on- and off-road test programs and the ability to participate in select center working groups and research projects. Among the affiliates are BorgWarner, Calspan, Changan Automobile, Dura Automotive, Faurecia, Hitachi, Nexteer, Renesas, Sumitomo Electric and TRW.

The group joins MTC's 14 founding companies, each of whom are investing $1 million in the center over three years.