Test & Pilot
Test and develop your technology in Michigan
PlanetM Mobility Grants
Separated into two categories – testing and pilots – the PlanetM grants are helping mobility companies test their technologies in Michigan or at Michigan's state-of-the-art testing facilities.
PlanetM Mobility Grants are separated into two categories – Testing Grants and Pilot Grants. The PlanetM Testing Grant accelerates innovation by providing mobility companies the opportunity to access Michigan advanced, state-of-the-art testing facilities. Awarded PlanetM Testing Grant funds help reduce the cost associated with testing at these facilities and allow mobility companies to better focus their resources on enhancing and proving out their technologies, while deepening ties to Michigan's mobility ecosystem.
The PlanetM Pilot Grant supports global mobility companies in deploying their technologies throughout Michigan in partnership with Michigan communities. Awarded PlanetM Pilot Grant funds ultimately make it easier, safer and more affordable for people and goods to move around.
In March of 2020, PlanetM has transitioned the PlanetM Pilot Grant funds to the COVID-19 Mobility Solutions Grant to provide funding to mobility solutions that address the crucial challenges presented by the spread of COVID-19 within the state of Michigan.
PlanetM Startup Grants Informational Session
The PlanetM Startup Grant Informational Session and Webinar took place on December 11, 2018 and welcomed representatives from PlanetM, Michigan Department of Transportation, American Center for Mobility, Mcity, Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center, Derq and NextEnergy. These experts shared insights and details about the program, application process, and how the grants can help accelerate your path to commercialization.
In 2020, at least 32 PlanetM-facilitated mobility pilots will be underway in Michigan. Find out more about each challenge below.
The $8 Million Michigan Mobility Challenge is a grant initiative seeded with an $8 million legislative appropriation to address core mobility gaps for seniors, persons with disabilities and veterans across the state. The Challenge is a collaborative effort that is led by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and PlanetM with collaboration from four other state agencies. A total of 13 projects in communities of varying sizes throughout Michigan have been funded.
Formerly the City of Tomorrow Challenge, PlanetM, Ford, Mobile GR, City of Grand Rapids and The Right Place awarded Chicago-based Kaizen Health a grant to modernize and streamline access to transportation in partnership with providers, payers, self-insured employers and municipalities.
Ford, PlanetM and the City of Detroit launched the City:One Challenge, a collaborative project offering local residents and businesses the opportunity to suggest ideas and pilots to solve mobility problems and help improve the quality of life for people living, working and visiting the community surrounding the historic Michigan Central Station in Corktown.
In addition to Technology Activation Challenges, PlanetM is also facilitating a number of mobility city pilots throughout Michigan. Find out more about each city pilot below.
Project Kinetic is a unique collaboration between the public (City of Detroit and PlanetM), private (General Motors, Lear, DTE Energy, Quicken Community Fund, Bedrock Detroit and Boston Consulting Group) and philanthropy (New Economy Initiative) sectors. Representatives from each of the partnering organizations worked hand-in-hand for 12 weeks to brainstorm more than 120 innovative solutions to tackle some of the most pressing mobility challenges facing Detroit.
PlanetM, Ann Arbor SPARK, Ford & Deloitte will deploy pilots, including an enhanced simulation pilot that will allow for scenario-planning to better understand the use and impact of new and emerging mobility modes.
Nine Michigan companies, as well as the city of Grand Rapids and PlanetM, formed a unique coalition placing May Mobility autonomous vehicles on city streets. The coalition – a first of its kind – brings together enterprise and infrastructure to gather and analyze critical information with the goal of understanding the usage of autonomous vehicles in a city environment. The fleet will operate complementarily to the City’s existing DASH transportation fleet. Learn more about May Mobility here.
