Mcity operates the world’s first purpose-built proving ground for testing the performance and safety of connected and automated vehicles and technologies under controlled and realistic conditions.
Introducing Mcity 2.0
With a $5.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the Mcity Test Facility is evolving into a next-generation autonomous vehicle test track. Mcity is developing digital infrastructure that overlays the physical test facility and enables remote use. This will give researchers, many without testing resources, remote access to the Mcity Test Facility and will help create a more equitable playing field in mobility.
Designed for Early-Stage Research and Development
Testing new technologies in a safe, controlled environment is essential before deploying automated vehicles on public streets, roads, and highways. The Mcity Test Facility sits on a 32-acre site on U-M’s North Campus, with more than 16 acres of roads and traffic infrastructure. The full-scale outdoor laboratory simulates the broad range of complexities vehicles encounter in urban and suburban environments, and provides the connected infrastructure and operating system to serve as a smart city test bed.
Features include:
- State-of-the-art instrumentation and sensors throughout the facility include a control network to collect data about traffic activity using wireless, fiber optics, Ethernet, and a highly accurate real-time kinematic positioning system
- Patent-pending augmented reality testing technology allows physical test vehicles to interact with virtually connected vehicles in real time inside the facility
- Fully connected 5G network and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication throughout the facility
- Facility infrastructure and testing conditions can be controlled with our Mcity OS cloud-based software
- Multiple road surfaces, variety of road markings and crossing types (e.g. pedestrian, railroad)
- 1,000-foot straightaway, plus access ramps, curves, roundabout, traffic circle, and urban streets
- Traffic signals and traffic signs, plus building facades and simulated tree cover
- House and garage exterior with accessibility ramp for first-mile/last-mile testing, deliveries, and ride hailing
- Bridge deck, underpass, guardrails, barriers, and crash attenuators
- Onsite workstation and configurable open test areas
- Test vehicles and support available
Please note: Mcity is a closed facility. Due to safety and confidentiality concerns, access is limited to those involved in testing and research.
Mcity OS
Mcity OS makes it possible for researchers to create and execute complex, sophisticated, and easily repeatable test scenarios of connected vehicles, automated vehicles, and connected and automated vehicles – potentially saving testing time and costs, and accelerating product development.
Mcity OS runs on any internet-enabled device to control all the features of the Mcity Test Facility. This cloud-based open-source operating system gives users point-and-click control over interactions between vehicle and facility features and infrastructure. Mcity OS is built on our OCTANE API and SKYLINE app.
Mcity OS tools can be integrated at other test facilities and in real-world environments as we lead the transformation to CAVs, CV2X, and smart cities. Mcity OS is also available for use at other test facilities. The American Center for Mobility is the first facility to license Mcity OS.
To inquire about licensing, contact the University of Michigan’s Office of Technology Transfer.
