Michigan is looking to be a leading voice for the future of transportation. The state has opened the American Center for Mobility at the former General Motors Willow Run plant, signed legislation into law allowing for autonomous vehicle testing on public roads and has welcomed tech giants with open arms.
Moving forward, Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder, has now appointed some big names to the Michigan Council of Future Mobility. The state’s official website announced the 21-member council will be responsible for recommending changes to state policy to ensure Michigan continues to be the world leader in automated, driverless, and connected vehicle technology and be housed within the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Multiple facets of the automotive industry are represented on the council, and that includes hometown hero, General Motors. The Detroit-based automaker will be represented by Gary Smyth, executive director of Global R&D Laboratories for General Motors Company, Global Research and Development.
Smyth joins fellow engineers from Toyota, Fiat-Chrysler and Ford on the council to help shape autonomous driving policy for the future.
Michigan stated the first round of policy changes and updates will come no later than March 31, 2017. Following changes and potential updates will be recommended on an annual basis here on out, unless the council moves to convene more frequently, according to the announcement.
GM will begin manufacturing its latest autonomous vehicle prototypes in Michigan at the Orion assembly plant and begin testing those vehicles this year.
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