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Washtenaw County's Autonomous Vehicle Facilities On Display At The Detroit International Auto Show

The 2018 North American International Auto Show is hosting its media days in Detroit, and this is the role Washtenaw County is playing at the show.

Joe Wiesenfelder is executive editor for Cars.com.  He says autonomous vehicles continue to be one of the hottest topics at the auto show, especially after the American Center for Mobility opened in Ypsilanti Township last month.  

The site will serve as a testing facility for autonomous vehicles and technology.  Wiesenfelder revealed that, next year, the center will be used to test drive vehicles that will be in the running for the car, utility, and truck of the year award.  

"And some of these features, especially the more aggressive ones like pedestrian avoidance technology, can't be done with real pedestrians--at least none that I know. So, having the ability to test for that kind of stuff is critical for safety and effectiveness."

Wiesenfelder added that the University of Michigan's Mcity autonomous vehicle testing facility will also help lead the way for the developing technology.  The auto show will be open to the public from January 20th-28th. 

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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu

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