Detroit going from Motor City to Drone City

Drone News Forum
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Detroit has always been known as the Motor City, but now it’s looking like it could be Drone City too. A project called the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR) launched back in 2023, and it’s aiming to make Detroit a leader in drone tech.

The idea is to bring in startups, create new jobs, and push drone policy forward. Companies like Newlab and Airspace Link are involved, and there’s even talk of drone corridors between Michigan and Canada.

There’s also a lot of community engagement, like Youth Drone Demo Days for kids. It’s all part of Michigan Central, a district full of mobility-focused projects, including Ford’s massive renovation of Michigan Central Station.

What do you all think? Could Detroit really become a major drone hub?

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Honestly, this is pretty cool. Detroit already has a history of innovation, so why not add drones to the mix?

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Jody said:
Honestly, this is pretty cool. Detroit already has a history of innovation, so why not add drones to the mix?

Yeah, and with Ford investing in Michigan Central, it seems like they’re serious about making Detroit a tech hub again.

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@Darby
Right? It’s nice to see Detroit getting recognized for more than just cars.

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Wait, what’s BVLOS? I saw it mentioned in the post but IDK what it means.

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Vega said:
Wait, what’s BVLOS? I saw it mentioned in the post but IDK what it means.

BVLOS = Beyond Visual Line of Sight. Basically means drones flying further than the pilot can see them. It’s a big deal for deliveries and infrastructure inspections.

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I like the idea, but do you think people in the city will actually be okay with drones flying everywhere?

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Zola said:
I like the idea, but do you think people in the city will actually be okay with drones flying everywhere?

Good question. They’ve been doing community events like Youth Drone Demo Days to get people on board. Plus, companies like Airspace Link are helping residents see when drones are flying near them.

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Does this mean we’ll start seeing more drone deliveries in Detroit?

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San said:
Does this mean we’ll start seeing more drone deliveries in Detroit?

That’s the goal. They’re testing drone deliveries for medical supplies and consumer goods, so it could become more common soon.

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Detroit trying to be a leader in drones sounds great, but how long is this project supposed to last?

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Bao said:
Detroit trying to be a leader in drones sounds great, but how long is this project supposed to last?

The initial project has a two-year timeline, but they’re planning for long-term impact. The goal is to turn Detroit into a long-term hub for drone tech, not just a short-term experiment.