Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), a Japan-based nonprofit focusing on next-generation mobility services, designated Indiana as its first Future Mobility District in the United States on Monday.
The designation means collaboration between the non-profit and the state to foster innovation and propel research and development in advanced mobility technologies.
“As Indiana’s pro-growth business climate continues to gain recognition around the world, we’re committed to embracing innovation and investing in emerging areas like advanced mobility in order to remain competitive and position our industries for long-term growth,” Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger said. “With the launch of the Indiana Future Mobility District, Indiana will be able to attract more diverse companies while leading in the development of mobility-enabled technologies. We’re grateful for our long-standing relationship with Toyota, which helped cultivate this exciting opportunity, and look forward to supporting TMF as it works to address some of the mobility challenges facing our communities.”
The Indiana Future Mobility District will launch with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Energy Systems Network (ESM) support. Together with TMF, the Mobility District designation will allow providers of new advanced mobility innovations and services to deploy in the state, focusing on validating interoperability and integration with the state’s existing transportation system.
TMF will collaborate with ESN’s network of industry and academic transportation stakeholders to increase opportunities for advanced mobility by fueling the testing of mobility-enabled technologies.
“We are excited to collaborate with two forward-thinking and committed organizations like ESN and the IEDC,” said Ryan Klem, director of programs at TMF. “ESN has a long history of supporting sustainable transportation projects in and around central Indiana with a focus on equity. Toyota as a company has a long-standing relationship with Indiana, and we as the Toyota Mobility Foundation, are delighted to have the opportunity to work together with local communities to help bring the latest innovations in mobility solutions to serve Hoosiers.”