M-air will establish Michigan as the leader in drone and advanced air mobility, leveraging the convergence of emerging electric, autonomous, and disruptive aircraft concepts.
Become an M-Air Founding Member
The U.S. government is moving rapidly to integrate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles into the national airspace.
So is Michigan. Industry must guide this transformation of mobility in the air.
If you are interested in becoming a founding member of M-air, or in joining Mcity to support M-air, please contact us.
THE M-AIR CONCEPT
Pursue frontier research
in system design, advanced battery propulsion, and fleet operations
Develop unique aerial testbeds
for evaluation and testing, including the Mcity Makerspace, new airspace skyway, and digital twin
Foster talent development
with student and startup
partnership programs
Develop a new regional skyway from the Mcity Test Facility to Detroit’s Michigan Central
Pursue Frontier Research
Engage with industry, government, and academia
- Help develop government funding proposals for applied research that aligns with M-air priorities: advanced aerial mobility, sustainable air transportation, digital engineering, resilient autonomous systems
- Guide initial research focus: autonomy in landing and emergency set-down, electric propulsion testbed, cellular networks, aircraft certification requirements
- Collaborate with Michigan Aerospace, U-M Battery Lab, U-M Robotics, U-M EV Center
Develop Unique Aerial Testbeds
Together with MDOT and Michigan Central, expand aerial capabilities
of the Mcity Makerspace and create a regional airspace skyway
- Add vertiport(s), drone port, hangar, workspaces, and charging stations to Mcity Test Facility
- Build uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) skyway between Ann Arbor and Detroit—from the Mcity Test Facility to the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region based at Michigan Central
- Develop digital twin of skyway for virtual testing and development
Foster Talent Development
Provide experiential learning and employment opportunities
- Launch Perot Jain TechLab Air & Space program for students
- Create intern opportunities with startups and M-air members
- Expand Michigander Scholars program
- Work with MEDC’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and Michigan Central to help launch and grow startups
M-AIR LEADERSHIP
“It is an exciting time in aerospace with the confluence of electric powertrain, distributed-propulsion-enabled new aircraft designs and autonomous operation. There is an enormous crossover of talent and technology between electric and automated vehicles and electric aircraft and drones.”
Venkat Viswanathan
M-air Director, U-M Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering
COLLABORATORS
M-air partners
M-air membership includes Mcity membership and access to Mcity members
M-air Founding Members will establish Michigan as the leader in aerial transportation innovation.
Based on the successful membership model of Mcity and synergy with the automotive sector, members will:
- Set initial research direction
- Provide input and use cases for hardware testbed and skyway build-out plans
- Partner with U-M faculty on current Federal grant opportunities, such as NASA University Leadership 2025 Initiative (ULI) and Executive orders for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Explore future engagements with Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
- Incubate, attract, and nurture startups
- Connect with next-generation student talent
- Pay standard Mcity membership fees after three years