The University of Arkansas announced Tuesday it had been awarded a new planning grant that would support its vision for smart mobility initiatives.
The grant, from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, will last for eight months and support the university’s effort to implement pilot research studies into smart mobility solutions, as well plan on education and workforce development, and industry and peer benchmarking.
The university’s focus will be on autonomous, electrified, interconnected and shared mobility that moves goods and people and disrupts the traditional transportation sector, changing the way we travel, shop, work and build. Initiatives will include next-generation vehicles, unmanned aerial mobility, and artificial intelligence for smart mobility.
“As the emerging field of smart mobility progresses, it is critical to develop our comprehensive vision now to leverage our competitive edge in this rapidly evolving industry,” said Heather Nachtmann, professor of industrial engineering and associate dean of engineering. “We have all the critical components – strategic industry partners, an innovative ecosystem and world-renowned experts. This planning grant will enable the university to alleviate our existing capacity into a transformational vision to drive smart mobility workforce development and innovation.”
The university said it aims to be the pre-eminent university for smart mobility. With more than 50 faculty members specializing in supply chain and transportation education and research, the school said it is actively engaged with forming partnerships, both private and public, that will advance smart mobility.
“This grant will provide a roadmap for the university’s – and Arkansas’ – drive to be the epicenter of smart mobility,” said Mike Malone, vice chancellor for economic development. “These technologies have the potential to transform traditional supply chains and business models. By aligning our talent, resources and programs with public and industry partners we will establish our state as the hub for smart mobility business, innovation and workforce development.”