Capitol News

Michigan State University announced a new partnership agreement with the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) to support MSU’s Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) team, PoliMOVE-MSU. The collaboration aims to provide students with experiential learning opportunities using connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies. Additionally, it will engage Michigan K-12 STEAM students in mobility initiatives through events, campus tours, and race event visits.

In December, MSU revealed its joint venture with Politecnico di Milano to compete in the IAC under the team name PoliMOVE-MSU. This marks the first time a Michigan-based team has entered the IAC racing series. The team's official involvement began at the Consumer Technology Association’s CES event on January 11 in Las Vegas, where they demonstrated an autonomous vehicle retrofitted for autonomous control.

The IAC features driverless Indy-style race cars capable of reaching speeds close to 200 mph. Launched in 2019, the challenge brings together academic institutions and public-private partnerships to innovate new generations of automated vehicle software.

“We are grateful to have the support of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and the state’s Chief Mobility Officer, Justine Johnson, as we embark on the future of autonomous racing,” said Judd Herzer, MSU Mobility director. “As a top-three focus area for MSU, MSU Mobility is dedicated to developing mobility talent and strengthening the workforce pipeline. The OFME’s partnership will help us add more students to our race team and provide them line-of-sight into unique careers in the mobility sector.”

The IAC platform allows MSU to showcase research efforts in areas such as vehicle lightweighting, electric vehicles, battery technology, and more. Students gain valuable experience preparing for careers in this evolving field.

“Michigan’s creativity, innovation and mobility leadership is globally renowned; we remain committed as ever to delivering on that leadership by creating opportunities for young people,” said Johnson. “Our partnership with MSU Mobility is one way we continue to remind the world that Michigan will drive the future of mobility — whether it’s by air, sea, land or racetrack.”

Recently, PoliMOVE-MSU participated in England's Goodwood Festival of Speed where they set an autonomous record by completing a hill climb in 66.37 seconds and achieving a top speed record of 179 kph during the challenge. Their next event is a head-to-head race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 6.

To engage with MSU’s IAC race team or become a supporter with premium access to racing events, contact David Bertram at 517-927-3525.