The open CAVs are based at Mcity, U-M’s simulated urban and suburban environment for testing automated and connected vehicles. While a handful of other institutions may offer similar research vehicles, U-M is the only one that also operates a high-tech, real-world testing facility. The combination will be “transformational,” said Carrie Morton, deputy director of U-M’s Mobility Transformation Center. MTC, which operates Mcity, is a public-private partnership that involves more than 60 industry partners. “By providing a platform for faculty, students, industry partners and startups to test connected and automated vehicle technologies, open CAVs will break down technology barriers and dramatically speed up innovation,” Morton said. “We’re democratizing access to automated vehicle technology for research and education.”