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French Firm Navya Chooses Mcity To Test Autonomous ARMA Shuttle

French company Navya unveiled it ARMA electric, autonomous shuttle Friday at Mcity in Ann Arbor, giving the state another feather in its cap as it competes to become the autonomous capital of the world.

Also Friday, Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation into law making Michigan the first state in the nation to establish comprehensive regulations for the testing, use and eventual sale of autonomous vehicle technology.

Snyder Signs Autonomous Vehicles
Gov. Rick Snyder, joined by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, MEDC CEO Steve Arwood, MDOT Director Kirk T. Steudle, legislators, and auto industry leaders, signs autonomous vehicle legislation into law. (credit: MEDC)

"Michigan is the global center for automotive technology and development, having transformed the way the world moves for more than 100 years," Snyder said. "By establishing guidelines and standards for self-driving vehicles, we're continuing that tradition of excellence in a way that protects the public's safety while at the same time allows the mobility industry to grow without overly burdensome regulations."

Mcity is a testing and proving grounds for autonomous vehicles which opened a year ago in Ann Arbor and run by UM.

It's part of the effort to help Michigan stand out from Silicon Valley, Pittsburgh, China and Japan, as they vie to become the autonomous capital.

There's so much more going on which will matter to you and your family in the autonomous future.

Which is why CBS 62 is proud to present its latest "Eye on the Future" special "Giving Up the Wheel, a Look at our Autonomous Future."

Leaders at the forefront will explain how Detroit and our state are dealing with the transformational changes in this riveting 30-minute special which airs Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.

The CBS 62 Emmy-winning "Eye on the Future" team of Carol Cain, Senior Producer/Host, and Paul Pytlowany, Chief Videographer/Editor, travel the state and talk to leaders from automotive, academia, and politics about this critical topic impacting our state's largest industry.

The CBS 62 crew takes viewers along as  they ride in Navya's ARMA shuttle at Mcity.

And they ride in an autonomous car along I-75 as it makes lane changes – all under control of a computer.

And they ride in a Model T—the first car mass produced by Henry Ford which gave rise to city's nickname -- the Motor City.

"There are so many developments in the quickly changing conversation around mobility," said Brian Watson, CBS 62/CW50 VP Station Manager.

"We are helping to keep viewers informed about the autonomous revolution unfolding before our eyes," Watson added.

Among those appearing in "Giving Up the Wheel, a Look at Our Autonomous Future:"

Gov. Rick Snyder
Bill Ford
Mary Barra
Sam Slaughter, owner, Sellers Auto Group
Joseph Richardson Jr., AAA Michigan President
John Maddox, CEO, American Center For Mobility
Steve Arwood, CEO, MEDC
Huei Peng, Director, University of Michigan Mobility Transformation Center
Anya Babbitt, CEO, SPLT
Ted Serbinski, Managing Director, Techstars Mobility

Watch "Giving Up the Wheel, a Look at our Autonomous Future" 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 on CBS 62.

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