Central Ohio Matters
Central Ohio Matters is a podcast where host Michelle Gatchell discusses the issues shaping Central Ohio's future. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local leaders, visionaries, and changemakers driving progress in Central Ohio. These conversations provide insights into the challenges facing our communities and the solutions being developed to move them forward.
Central Ohio Matters covers government policies, healthcare challenges, housing and business developments, transportation solutions, education, and innovation. It is your guide to understanding and engaging with the pulse of Central Ohio.
You can listen to Central Ohio Matters on WVXG 95.1 FM (Marion and Morrow Counties) and WDLR 96.7 FM, 1270 AM (Delaware, Franklin, Marion, and Union Counties).
Also, find it on your favorite podcast streaming sites.
Central Ohio Matters
The Future of Mobility: How Central Ohio Is Leading the Way
The future of mobility is taking shape in Central Ohio, and it's happening faster than most people realize. A groundbreaking partnership between Lextant and the Marysville/Union County Port Authority is transforming the Automotive and Mobility Innovation Center (AMIC) into a hub for transportation innovation, drawing attention from companies worldwide.
Ohio's Beta District—stretching along the 33 corridor between Ohio State University and the Transportation Research Center—has quietly become a premier testing ground for autonomous vehicles, drone technologies, smart infrastructure, and connected transportation systems. The fiber-equipped corridor enables the real-world testing of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems. At the same time, Marysville itself has become a laboratory for smart city implementation, featuring connected intersections that communicate directly with passing vehicles.
What makes this initiative unique is its unwavering focus on human-centered design. As Chris Rockwell, CEO of Lextant, explains, all the AI and automation ultimately need to serve human needs. "Mobility is fundamentally about freedom and empowerment," he notes, emphasizing that technology must be designed to enhance human capabilities rather than fight against natural behaviors. This approach addresses the trust gap that has slowed adoption of autonomous features—people reject technology that feels ambiguous or unpredictable.
The Innovation Park is already home to companies developing life-saving technologies. Pairwave is creating drones for first responders, RMV is pioneering robotic roadway repair systems that keep maintenance workers safe, and Ease Logistics is advancing commercial truck platooning for improved fuel efficiency. These innovations don't just represent technological advancement; they're solving real problems and potentially saving lives.
Beyond creating a hub for established companies, AMIC serves as an incubator for startups and a talent development pipeline that's creating opportunities for engineers and innovators. The facility is open to the public for innovation workshops, design thinking sessions, and collaborative meetings, inviting broader community participation in shaping the future of transportation.
Want to see firsthand how mobility innovation is transforming our region? Visit the AMIC or Beta District websites to learn more about tours, events, and opportunities to engage with the technologies that will reshape how we move in the coming decades—all this and more on Central Ohio Matters. Don't forget to download, like, and share to help us grow.