Innovation

Detroit residents participate in early ADS stakeholder engagement sessions at Durfee Innovation Society (August 30, 2022). Photo by Ford Next LLC.

City council approves plans for autonomous shuttle service for elderly, Detroiters with disabilities

“Accessible self-driving shuttles for people with disabilities is a game changer,” says Detroit's Director of Disability Affairs, Christopher Samp. “A person with a disability will be able to use this service to simply go directly to their destination. Some individuals with a disability who are not able to obtain a driving license can reclaim their independence with the ability to travel with self-driving cars.”

Latest in Innovation
"Waters of a Lower Register" by artist Allison Janae Hamilton at Dlectricity. Knight-funded project from Midtown Detroit, Inc.'s recent Cultural Center digital strategy.
Knight Foundation offers $250K in grants for Detroit artists leveraging technology in their work

"When we invest in music and museums, in poetry and performances, we are investing in the fiber that strengthens our communities," says Victoria J. Rogers, vice president of arts at Knight Foundation.

The Michigan Mobility Funding Platform is intended to accelerate investment in mobility and electrification statewide.
These Detroit mobility startups just received $200K in grants to support high-tech projects

“With the support of MEDC, PlugZen is committed to making sure Metro Detroit communities have access to affordable EV charging and a stake in the future of the EV infrastructure they depend on,"​​ says Kwabena "Q" Johnson, president at PlugZen.

Meet 3 women shaping Detroit’s hip-hop renaissance

"Don't feel like it's not a space for you, because there is," advises Lauren "Lo" McGrier, who manages popular music venue El Club, as well as Detroit hip-hop talent. "You deserve to be in that room just as much as that other person..." 

TechTown's Detroit on the Move: Celebrating the Evolution of Black Mobility is a free, one-day conference scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16.
Free one-day conference to celebrate the legacy – and future – of Black mobility entrepreneurs

“Our Black History Month conference will provide networking opportunities for rising entrepreneurs, which is an important step in solidifying Detroit as the epicenter of mobility and electrification," says Angeline Lawrence, entrepreneurial education director at TechTown Detroit.

Paris Allen, Michale Coffey, James Turner
Q&A with James C. Turner: Detroit filmmaker shares ‘Noble Intentions’ for a thriving film community

With the powerful Detroit coming-of-age crime drama "Noble Intentions" (starring Obba Babatunde, Aaron D. Spears, and Lori Hayes) now available on streaming services, we check in with the filmmaker about why he thinks the city is the perfect place to tell unique stories.  

2023: What our journalists are watching in Detroit

We are pretty proud of the award-winning journalists and photographers who keep the pulse of the city and report on what's next. Here's their take on the year ahead. 

Bridging the digital divide: Solar-powered Wi-Fi stations in Islandview to receive key upgrades

“With this money, we can execute community projects that center on community needs and make visible efforts to reach toward one another to ensure no one in Islandview is left behind,” says Detroit Community Technology Project Communications and Culture Manager Leon Hister.

Wayne State University chemical engineering student Renee O’Neill
Mi STEM Forward Program Leads the Way for Student Success

Michigan is leading the way in diverse mobility technologies. The University Research Corridor is an alliance of the state’s three leading research institutions, dedicated to driving the regional economy. Through the Michigan STEM Forward program, students are connecting with STEM-focused internships at some of the state’s leading innovative companies.   

Street art festival aims to establish Detroit as a destination for augmented reality murals

“I’m super excited to go into this digital art world, it’s the next level of art,” says artist El Cappy, whose “WARM” mural can be found on the side of The Scott development in Brush Park. “It’s definitely going to be the next big thing.”

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