Michigan AAM Mobility Challenges: Building Toward a Connected Statewide Future

Why collaboration and understanding matter more than ever.

Michigan has launched one of the nation’s most comprehensive programs aimed at accelerating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) deployment across public agencies and industries. The Michigan AAM Mobility Challenges, led by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) in partnership with multiple state departments, are designed to bring real-world demonstrations to life — connecting aviation innovation to the state’s transportation, environmental, and economic priorities.

Unsplash. (2022, November 3). A male engineer controlling drone spraying fertilizer and pesticide over farmland, high-technology innovations and smart farming [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/photos/yV7_JmUq78Q

A Statewide Call for Innovation

This first-of-its-kind initiative includes five agency-led challenges under a shared goal: advancing Michigan’s readiness for emerging aviation technologies while strengthening interagency collaboration.

Participating agencies include:

• Michigan State Police (MSP) – Public safety and drone detection

• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) – Environmental monitoring

• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) – Agricultural logistics

• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) – Transportation corridors and infrastructure integration

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – Mobility ecosystem and commercialization

Together, these challenges form a $2 million statewide pilot program, with each agency expected to fund one award ranging from $300K to $400K.

How the Program Works

• One funded pilot per agency

• 6–12 month demonstration periods

• Flexible matching (cash, in-kind, or SBIR)

• Strong preference for public-private partnerships

• Open eligibility for companies, universities, and nonprofit collaborators

  
  

The goal is not just to deploy technology — but to validate scalable solutions that can inform future state policy and infrastructure planning. Projects that demonstrate measurable success will be well-positioned for expansion through additional OFME or federal programs.

“Michigan’s advanced air mobility industry is an important, growing part of our economy. With the launch of the new AAM Statewide Mobility Challenges, we’re bringing together several state departments and innovators to solve real-world problems from public safety to environmental protection using uncrewed aerial drones.” — Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan.

Spotlight: The MSP Challenge

The current open challenge, led by the Michigan State Police, seeks technologies for ground-based drone detection to enhance safety near critical infrastructure, correctional facilities, and large public gatherings.

• Drone monitoring for crowd and event management

• Emergency response coordination

• Data-sharing pilots between state and local agencies

  
  

According to the MSP FAQ, the department intends to transition from mobile pilots to fixed infrastructure in later phases — ultimately creating a statewide detection network aligned with Michigan’s Mobility 2.0 plan.

While MSP is the first to launch, the remaining challenges are expected to open in early 2026, focusing on areas like environmental resilience, agricultural efficiency, and corridor readiness.

Shared Themes Across All Challenges

• Data-sharing and situational awareness are core to each.

• Cross-agency coordination is encouraged, including shared pilots between departments.

• Private-sector engagement is prioritized — from OEMs to startups and research institutions.

• Each project must serve a real-world state or municipal use case, not just proof-of-concept.

Ultimately, these challenges are meant to weave together a statewide network of test sites, partners, and data pipelines supporting Michigan’s evolution into a connected AAM ecosystem.

Why It Matters

Thelenwood Consulting’s Michigan AAM Readiness Index Survey shows that while airports and municipalities across the state are enthusiastic about AAM, foundational knowledge remains low — with an average readiness score of 24 percent. This underscores why programs like the Mobility Challenges are critical: they translate policy into opportunity, giving stakeholders a framework for participation, partnership, and progress.

“Understanding how these programs connect is the first step toward meaningful engagement.” — Aaron Thelenwood, Founder, Thelenwood Consulting

Key Program Details

• Total Funding: $2 million (approx. $300–$400K per award)

• Number of Agencies: 5 (MSP, EGLE, MDARD, MDOT, MEDC)

• Match Requirement: Flexible — cash, in-kind, or SBIR eligible

• Timeline: MSP Challenge open as of October 2025; others to follow in 2026

• Contact: OFMEMobilityChallenges@nextenergy.org

• Website: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/ofme/aam-statewide-mobility-challenges/

Thelenwood Consulting’s Role

Thelenwood Consulting supports airports, agencies, and innovators in:

• Identifying alignment opportunities across challenges

• Building partnerships and pilot frameworks

• Positioning projects for long-term scalability

  
  

As the state builds momentum toward a connected AAM ecosystem, understanding remains the foundation — and Thelenwood Consulting is helping to turn that understanding into action.

Source: Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Michigan State Police AAM Challenge FAQ (2025). Thelenwood Consulting Analysis.