MTRAC Advanced Transportation Grants Over $1.5M for Mobility and Transportation Research

In a significant development for the research community, the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub at the University of Michigan has allocated over $1.5 million to support 15 multidisciplinary research projects. These promising early-stage to mid-stage projects demonstrate high commercial potential in diverse areas, spanning offshore renewable energy, AI-driven fuel design software and virtual torque sensors for heavy-duty trucks.

Research Grant Recipients

Researchers from multiple campuses of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn), Oakland University, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University, will benefit from this one-year grant. The research funding aims to foster their attempts to commercialize their innovative research results, contributing positively to the mobility and transportation sectors.

Further, the grant-winning researchers are set to receive significant support for commercialization activities, such as industry partnerships, professional mentoring, and access to a venture capital advisory board.

MTRAC’s Mission and Impact

Administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and co-managed by Innovation Partnerships and Michigan Engineering, the MTRAC Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub seeks to facilitate the advancement of translational research with significant commercial potential. The goal is to inject innovative technological solutions into the transportation and mobility sectors.

“Over the past seven years, the MTRAC Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub has awarded more than $7.4 million to accelerate 72 innovative research projects with high commercial potential”, stated Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research-innovation partnerships and economic impact. The impact of this continuing support is reflected in the launch of 20 start-up companies that have collectively raised over $50 million in follow-on funding.

Research Projects Bagging the MTRAC Award

The awarded research projects includes digital device identification using digital fingerprinting, sensor reduction for large battery packs, multi-source offshore renewable energy, AI-driven fuel design software and many other innovative initiatives in the field of transportation and mobility. These research projects show a promising prospect of commercially viable products and services in the future.

Before securing the MTRAC grant, the projects underwent comprehensive scrutiny. Finalists had to present their proposals to an oversight committee, composed of experienced technologists, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and venture capitalists with proven track records in commercializing and investing in frontier technologies.

The Next Steps for MTRAC-Funded Projects

All projects that applied are set to receive invaluable feedback and mentorship.

Stefon Crawford of GM Ventures noted that MTRAC is a critical pathway for innovators, providing necessary coaching and funding to successfully commercialize their products and advance transportation technologies.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that these projects will continue to push boundaries and shape the future of mobility and transportation we inhabit. The MTRAC Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub celebrates its seventh year of funding, even as its support continues to catalyse advances in the transportation and mobility domains. Not only do we look forward to improved transportation solutions thanks to these innovations, but we also anticipate their positive impact on Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.