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DETROIT, the United States, Sept. 22-- Detroit, a motor city whose past reminds us of the American Dream, has seen revitalization after economic and demographic decline in recent decades. New constructions, innovative technologies, increasing population and advanced autonomous vehicle industry are accelerating Detroit's recovery, driving the state of Michigan to lead the way in next revolution of transportation in the United States. CENTER OF AUTOMATED VEHICLES Michigan leads the world in the development and integration of intelligent connected vehicles and was one of the first states to legalize self-driving vehicles on public roads. The state has long been a world-wide automotive hub, not just for manufacturing, but for research, engineering, design, and testing. Michigan is home to 27 assembly plants and more than 2,200 facilities that conduct automotive research, design, engineering, testing and validation, according to Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Currently, 73 percent of North American automotive research and development (R&D) takes place in Michigan and a total of 14 billion U.S. dollars are spent on R&D each year in the state, MEDC told Xinhua. In Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in Michigan, free service of driverless shuttles has been provided to the public since July by May Mobility, the Ann Arbor-based startup. The six-seat autonomous vehicles are staffed with an attendant and run at a top speed of 25 miles per hour, making a dozen stops along the 3.2-mile downtown bus route. | 
