Grand Rapids airport selects 6 tech companies to check cutting-edge journey options

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -Six firms will check air journey applied sciences and companies at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

The firms are receiving greater than $170,000 in complete grant funding as a part of the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship program, often called FLITE, officers stated.

GoodMaps, Kodiak Technologies, Pratt Miller, TractEasy, Westwood AI and Airtrek Robotics will check applied sciences starting from emergency alerts to autonomous baggage dealing with.

The airport made the Jan. 21 announcement in partnership with Avflight Grand Rapids, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines® and the West Michigan Aviation Academy.

“We’re excited to introduce the six dynamic companies who will begin testing their air travel solutions at the Ford International Airport,” stated Alex Peric, chief working officer of the Ford International Airport Authority, in line with a press launch.

“These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to innovation and progress for the future of aviation, and we look forward to another round of pilot-testing.”

The airport offered the under temporary descriptions of the businesses chosen for this spherical of FLITE:

• GoodMaps: Advances wayfinding and emergency alerts although AI indoor mapping to reinforce accessibility for vacationers.
• Kodiak Technologies: Develops electrical and hybrid-electric heavy-duty snow elimination gear to scale back emissions and strengthen airport operations.
• Pratt Miller: Provides superior engineering companies and options throughout mobility, protection, and motorsports, together with experience in automobile robotics.
• TractEasy: Provides operational options utilizing its autonomous tow tractor to enhance security and effectivity in airport floor operations.
• Westwood AI: Enhances autonomous operations by AI-enabled programs that help safety and demanding infrastructure.
• Airtrek Robotics: Advances aviation security and reliability by streamlining the bottom dealing with course of by robotics and AI.

“FLITE provides opportunities for us to test new and emerging technologies and gain early access to insights and knowledge,” stated Joseph Meszaros, vp of operations for Avflight.

He stated Avflight is happy to host Airtrek’s autonomous wingwalking expertise to conduct a proof-of-concept venture at their Grand Rapids location that’s geared toward evaluating its real-world efficiency.

FLITE has supported greater than 40 tasks, awarding over $1.5 million in complete grant funds throughout 9 rounds, in line with the discharge.

Through the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has offered grant funding to help FLITE firms to additional this system’s mission and drive developments in Michigan’s vibrant mobility and expertise sectors.

“As a Michigan-based company, we are committed to strengthening the region’s aviation and technology ecosystem through local partnerships, workforce development, and pathways for domestic manufacturing,” stated Dakoyta Greenman, founder and chief government officer of Westwood AI.

“This collaboration with FLITE reflects our broader commitment to delivering mission-ready autonomous solutions that are easy to adopt, cost-effective to operate, and built to meet the evolving needs of airports and commercial stakeholders across the country.”

See the Advance Local Guide to Disclosing Use of AI. Generative AI was used to prepare and construction this story primarily based on info offered by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority.