The Biggest Innovation Since the Model T

Since the first Model T rolled off the assembly line, Michigan has been the center of automotive innovation – building America’s middle class along with the cars and trucks that first connected people and places across this vast nation. Michigan’s rich auto tradition continues today with the development of self-driving vehicles that will save lives and transform the way we travel from Point A to Point B.

Our state is home to the highly-skilled engineers, manufacturers, suppliers and workers who are pioneering the next frontier in automotive manufacturing—self-driving vehicles. Michigan also is home to world class testing grounds – like the University of Michigan’s Mcity and the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti – that will help make sure these lifesaving technologies are ready for our roads.

In the U.S. Senate, I have made it a top priority to advance self-driving technologies and keep Michigan a world leader in automotive innovation. Self-driving vehicles will be on our roads sooner than we imagine, and the federal government should not stand in the way of this transformative technology. That is why I teamed up with Republican Senator John Thune (SD) to introduce a bill that will clear hurdles and support the testing and safe development of self-driving vehicles.

Watch Senator Thune and me discuss our new self-driving car bill

Technology moves faster than the federal government, and our American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act will provide the flexibility for manufacturers and researchers to carefully develop, test and validate self-driving vehicles on American roads. This will allow our state’s auto industry to design and manufacture self-driving vehicles right here at home, creating new job opportunities for Michigan workers and strengthening our economy.

We live in exciting times, constantly on the verge of new discoveries and revolutions in technology that will literally drive our future. I’m pleased to say that the AV START ACT was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, and is now awaiting consideration by the full Senate. I look forward to continuing my efforts to get this bill signed into law and ensure that Michigan will lead the way as we launch the next big thing in vehicle innovation.

Thanks for reading,