Following a national search, the American Center for Mobility (ACM) has named Michael Noblett as president and chief executive officer. Noblett moves to this role from Intel, where he served as global segment lead of automotive industry sales. He is recognized internationally for his expertise in automotive electronics and wireless communications, especially in relation to smart infrastructure and intelligent transportation, according to a release by ACM.
Mark Chaput, previously vice president of operations and construction has been promoted to chief operating officer, and Jeff Rupp, chief technical officer and chief safety officer, will complete the C-suite at ACM.
A joint project of the Michigan Department of Transportation, PlanetM, the University of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK, ACM is one of Michigan’s advanced mobility testing assets, and is designed specifically to support future mobility through testing, validation, product development, and self-certification of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.
Far more complex and mobility-centered than a traditional test track or automotive proving ground, ACM was designed from the ground up to support next-generation connected and autonomous vehicle testing.
As ACM continues its rapid growth, Noblett will manage the overall strategy and direction of the additional infrastructure added to the 500 acres of facility dedicated to testing, education, and product development. Most recently added are two garages that house 13 bays for vehicles and commercial trucks, a bicycle and pedestrian simulation corridor, and additional new testing environments. An Academic Consortium consisting of 23 educational facilities, also under the ACM umbrella, continues to support workforce development and study workforce trends in the mobility ecosystem.
ACM received a grant in September, 2018 from the U.S. Department of Energy to study a number of key aspects of mobility. Considered to be the first of its kind in the country, the research, according to the Ypsilanti Township-based facility, will focus on fuel-efficient platooning in mixed-traffic highway conditions, communication reliability in a variety of weather scenarios, as well as simulation validation.
“The interest from industry and demand for greater programing at ACM hasn’t slowed since the doors opened in December, 2017,” said Kirk Steudle, ACM’s interim CEO, in a statement. “As ACM moves into this new phase, I am confident Michael is the right leader to ensure forward movement and growth in the years to come.”
Noblett will transition to the position with the support of Steudle, and will fully assume the role of chief executive effective Feb. 25, 2019.
Pictures courtesy of American Center for Mobility.