Michigan’s New Aerospace Test Corridor Revolutionizes Air Mobility

M-Air is taking flight in Southeast Michigan as a bold new initiative from the University of Michigan to shape the future of air mobility. Building on the success of Mcity, U-M’s autonomous vehicle testbed, M-Air expands the frontier into the skies with a 40-mile real-world flight corridor stretching from Ann Arbor to Detroit’s Michigan Central. This living lab supports researchers and companies as they develop and test advanced drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Focused on beyond-line-of-sight operations and integration with ground robotics and crewed aviation, M-Air is backed by a White House executive order aimed at accelerating these transformative technologies. From disaster response to medical deliveries, M-Air is driving the next era of aviation — safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

Transcript

00:00:04 On-screen text: A newly designated airspace is being developed in SE Michigan to advance drones and electric air travel. It is a key feature of M-Air, a new initiative at the University of Michigan. M-Air is an expansion of U-M's autonomous vehicle testbed, Mcity, focusing on advanced air mobility. The new 40-mile-long corridor will run from U-M in Ann Arbor to Michigan Central in Detroit. M-Air will provide space and support for researchers and companies testing these aircraft in a real-world environment focusing on beyond-line-of-sight drone operation as well as vertical takeoff and landing for battery-powered aircraft. A White House executive order calling for the development of these capabilities helped accelerate M-Air. M-Air will drive research to improve drone capabilities for helping disaster relief, medical response and more. and improve how autonomous electric aircraft coexist with ground-based robotics and crewed aircraft.