{"id":1557,"date":"2021-10-28T11:52:01","date_gmt":"2021-10-28T11:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigancentral.com\/?p=1557"},"modified":"2021-10-28T11:52:01","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T11:52:01","slug":"ford-and-newlab-announce-startups-to-pilot-new-electric-vehicle-tech-in-mobility-innovation-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigancentral.com\/ford-and-newlab-announce-startups-to-pilot-new-electric-vehicle-tech-in-mobility-innovation-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Ford and Newlab Announce Startups to Pilot New Electric Vehicle Tech in Mobility Innovation Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ford Motor Company and Newlab<\/a>, a community of experts and innovators applying transformative technology to solve the world\u2019s biggest challenges, today announced the five startups that will participate in the inaugural cohort of the Mobility Studio \u2013 a new program focused on supporting the advancement of technologies, product collaborations and business models that drive a cleaner transportation future. The program lives within Michigan Central, a new mobility innovation district being developed by Ford. This is the second of two studios opening as part of the partnership announced in 2020 between Newlab and Michigan Central.<\/p>\n

As the U.S. looks to invest in infrastructure and build a more sustainable, energy-efficient economy, the electrification of transportation is critical. In its first year, the Mobility Studio will help the companies pilot the development of a range of transformative services and technologies to spur more widespread commercial adoption of electric vehicles. Combining Ford\u2019s storied excellence in advancing mobility solutions, especially its plans to bring electric vehicles at scale to customers, with Newlab\u2019s collaborative, transformative model of innovation, the Mobility Studio will convene an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, experts and investors to test new technologies in a \u201csandbox\u201d environment to help electrify commercial fleets across the U.S.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, Ford and Newlab are building upon our nation\u2019s goal of reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change by advancing commercial fleet electrification,\u201d said Matt Stover, director of charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company. \u201cAs Ford works to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and zero-emission transportation, the Mobility Studio is meeting the moment by identifying innovative solutions to enhance fleet management through connected data, integrate our vehicles into the energy ecosystem and advance urban charging for commercial fleets and support electric vehicle drivers at home. We are excited that we and our Ford Pro team can be linked to these potential solutions through Michigan Central \u2013 this is just the start of what this development can do not just for us, but for others working on the same challenges around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newlab and Ford selected the following companies from a competitive pool of global applicants to participate in the Mobility Studio\u2019s first cohort and help address major challenges faced by fleets as they consider transitioning to electric vehicles, such as connected fleet management, supporting drivers at home, multiuse charging hubs and vehicle-to-everything applications:<\/p>\n