The latest round of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase 1 awards for 2022 were awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) this week, apportioning $2 million worth of contracts to 12 small businesses.
Following a solicitation, these award contracts go out to small businesses to assist research and commercialization of new transportation technologies, and to overcome roadblocks along the way. This year’s first round winners came from eight states, all putting forth applications adhering to the USDOT’s six innovation principles in some fashion: serving policy priorities, adapting and future proofing for the 21st century, supporting worker recruitment and training, sharing data and growing from experimentation, collaborating through public-private partnerships and promoting flexibility in the face of changing technology.
“These funds will encourage public private partnerships that share risk, foster purpose-driven innovation, and protect the interests of the public, workers, and communities. In order to create a safer and more resilient transportation system that is equitable and accessible to all, this program spurs the development and deployment of transformative technologies and research-based solutions,” Robert Hampshire, USDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, said. “This year’s topics all play an important role in addressing the Department’s goals and priorities, including safety, equity, and climate change. They focus on topics centered around infrastructure and materials; detection solutions for pipelines and hazardous material transport; and approaches to support transit, rail, vehicle, and passenger safety.”
Awardees included:
- Connected Wise LLC of Florida
- Aiwaysion Inc. of Massachusetts
- Innovative AI Technologies LLC of New Jersey
- Sciperio, Inc. of Florida
- Tranalytics, LLC of Massachusetts
- SPLUSM LLC of Florida
- Right Click Solutions Inc. of California
- ReVolt Battery Technology, Corp. of Texas
- MCET Technologies of Delaware
- Adelphi Technology, Inc. of California
- Intellisense Systems, Inc. of California
- Oceanit Laboratories, Inc. of Hawaii
This is the first of two phases in the contract award program, with a third phase recognized leading up to commercialization.