Technology Transfer
At the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT), technology transfer is a cornerstone of our mission to significantly advance the evolution of U.S. next-generation transportation systems. We see it as the vital process of translating pioneering research in safety, mobility, cybersecurity, and fairness into tangible, real-world applications. Our primary goal is to ensure that innovative discoveries and knowledge generated within CCAT and our partner network move beyond the laboratory to create practical benefits through prototypes, field tests, widespread implementation, and the development of informed policies.
Our Approach
CCAT champions a collaborative and proactive approach to technology transfer. We believe in deeply engaging our stakeholders—including Region 5 state Departments of Transportation, local governments, and the Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) industry—from the earliest stages of research through to deployment. This continuous dialogue and partnership ensure our work is directly responsive to real-world challenges and opportunities, maximizing the potential for practical application.
Located at the focal point of the U.S. auto industry, CCAT leverages its unique regional position and strong partnerships to effectively bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical deployment. We are committed to ensuring our technology transfer activities not only advance transportation systems but also contribute to the economic vitality of the region.
Tech In Action: Featured Projects
CCAT’s commitment to technology transfer is demonstrated through our innovative projects that are actively moving from research labs to real-world implementation. These featured initiatives showcase how our collaborative approach creates practical solutions for today’s transportation challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
PREACT: Reducing Motion Sickness for Today’s Passengers and Tomorrow’s Autonomous Vehicles
The Innovation: CCAT researchers developed PREACT (Predicting and Acting), a breakthrough technology that reduces motion sickness by nearly 50% without medication. The system uses real-time vehicle data to predict upcoming movements and provides haptic cues through the seat or actively tilts seats to prepare passengers’ bodies for turns, acceleration, and braking.
Technology Transfer in Action:
- Startup Formation: Motion Sync, founded in March 2025 through U-M Innovation Partnerships
- Industry Partnership: Active collaboration with a major auto manufacturer to explore vehicle integration
- Market-Ready Solutions: Two versions available—integrated systems for new vehicles and affordable retrofit options for existing cars
- User Validation: Tested with 150+ subjects at Mcity, with 80% wanting the technology in their next vehicle
Impact: This technology addresses a fundamental barrier to passenger comfort and the adoption of autonomous vehicles, potentially transforming how millions experience vehicle travel.
Smart Traffic Signals: Cutting Congestion with Connected Vehicle Data
The Innovation: CCAT researchers developed the world’s first large-scale cloud-based traffic signal optimization system that uses GPS data from just 6-10% of vehicles to reduce intersection delays by 20-30%. This probabilistic time-space diagram approach costs a fraction of traditional adaptive signal systems.
Technology Transfer in Action:
- Real-World Pilot: 18-month deployment across 34 intersections in Birmingham, Michigan
- Industry Collaboration: Partnership with General Motors for connected vehicle data
- Government Implementation: Direct collaboration with Road Commission for Oakland County
- Cost-Effective Solution: Dramatically reduces implementation costs compared to $50,000+ adaptive systems
Impact: This scalable technology provides municipalities nationwide with an affordable way to reduce congestion, cut emissions, and improve travel times using existing infrastructure.
SAFE TEST: Accelerating the Path to Safe Autonomous Vehicles
The Innovation: SAFE TEST (Safe AI Framework for Trustworthy Edge Scenario Tests) combines two CCAT-developed technologies—Augmented Reality Environment and Naturalistic and Adversarial Driving Environment (NADE)—to compress 5,000 real-world miles into just one test track mile.
Technology Transfer in Action:
- Facility Implementation: Deployed at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in 2021
- Industry Validation: Successfully demonstrated to automotive leaders including Toyota Research Institute
- Cost Reduction: Decreases testing costs by 50-100 times while accelerating development cycles
- Commercial Availability: Available for industry use through ACM partnerships
Impact: This technology fundamentally transforms how autonomous vehicles are tested and validated, dramatically accelerating their safe deployment while reducing development costs.
More Innovation on the Horizon
These featured projects represent just a sample of CCAT’s ongoing technology transfer initiatives. As our research portfolio continues to mature, we look forward to sharing additional success stories that demonstrate the real-world impact of our work in connected and automated transportation.
Key Technology Transfer Activities
CCAT employs a diverse range of activities to facilitate the effective transfer of knowledge and technology:
- Collaborative Research & Development: We actively partner with industry leaders and public agencies on research projects that are designed from inception with deployment pathways in mind.
- Demonstrations & Pilot Programs: CCAT supports and facilitates the real-world testing and showcasing of new transportation technologies to demonstrate their viability, benefits, and integration capabilities.
- Workshops, Seminars & Webinars: We organize and participate in various forums to share research findings, best practices, and emerging trends with a broad audience of practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
- Publications & Reports: Our research is disseminated through comprehensive technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and accessible summaries to ensure knowledge reaches those who can utilize it.
- Strategic Convenings & Conferences: CCAT brings together key leaders and experts from government, industry, and academia to foster dialogue, address critical transportation challenges, and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions.
- Workforce Development & Training Integration: Our technology transfer initiatives are closely linked with our education and workforce development programs, preparing students and upskilling professionals for the evolving needs of the transportation sector.
- Policy & Implementation Support: We strive to translate research insights into actionable guidance and recommendations that can inform policy decisions and support the implementation of new standards and practices by transportation agencies.
Partners in Progress
Effective technology transfer is inherently collaborative. CCAT’s success is built upon strong and diverse partnerships:
- Our Academic Consortium: Led by the University of Michigan, CCAT unites the expertise of prominent institutions: the University of Akron, Central State University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Northwestern University, Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Washtenaw Community College.
- Industry Leaders: We collaborate closely with the automotive industry, technology developers, service providers, and other private sector entities to align research with market needs and accelerate the path to commercialization and deployment.
- Government Agencies: Our vital partnerships with the U.S. Department of Transportation, state DOTs (particularly within Region 5), and local government agencies ensure our research addresses public priorities and supports the development of effective transportation policies and infrastructure.
Measuring Our Impact: Outputs, Outcomes, and Successes
CCAT is dedicated to delivering research that creates a measurable and positive impact on the transportation system. We assess the success of our technology transfer efforts by considering:
- Outputs: These are the tangible products of our research, including new or improved processes, practices, methodologies, technologies, software, and training materials.
- Outcomes: These occur when our outputs are translated into real-world changes, such as the adoption of a new technology by a transportation agency, a shift in operational practices, or the formulation of new policies based on research findings.
- Impacts: These are the broader, measurable benefits to society and the transportation system that result from these outcomes, such as enhanced safety, improved mobility and accessibility, strengthened cybersecurity, and greater transportation equity.
As our research projects mature and their findings are implemented, this section will feature success stories showcasing specific examples of CCAT’s contributions to advancing next-generation transportation. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our current research projects to learn about the innovative work underway.
Get Involved: Partner with CCAT
CCAT actively seeks collaboration with organizations and individuals who share our commitment to shaping the future of transportation. We invite you to partner with us to:
- Collaborate on innovative research and development projects.
- Participate in pilot programs and real-world technology demonstrations.
- Share your expertise and insights at our workshops, seminars, and conferences.
- Help identify critical research needs and challenges in the transportation sector.
- Support the deployment of proven solutions.
To explore partnership opportunities or learn more about how you can engage with CCAT’s technology transfer initiatives, please contact us.