Ann Arbor Spark Foundation

02/20/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Motmot Advances Autonomous Underwater Robotics at American Center for Mobility (ACM)

Motmot is advancing its Autonomous Underwater Robot (AUR) platform through a phased validation program within ACM's water distribution infrastructure.

Motmot's mission is to advance communities through smart infrastructure technology. The company equips municipalities with "eyes and ears" to help them take control of their underground assets. Its work is driven by curiosity, urgency, technical rigor, and a commitment to public service.

As aging water infrastructure continues to strain municipalities nationwide, Motmot focuses on delivering clarity through data. Its autonomous inspection robots provide a clear, objective view of system condition, turning complex underground environments into actionable insights. The goal is to support cities in making informed decisions around capital planning, repair prioritization, and long-term asset management.

Motmot's compact robotic systems are engineered for deployment through standard fire hydrants, enabling direct access to live water mains. This hydrant-based procedure allows for inspection without excavation or interruption of service, helping utilities maintain water flow while gaining system visibility.

To support continued technical refinement and commercial validation, Motmot selected ACM as a controlled, large-scale environment where testing can take place under real-world infrastructure conditions.

"For municipalities to trust new technology, it must be validated in realistic conditions," said Elliot Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Motmot. "ACM enables us to demonstrate our approach within a live water distribution system while continuing to strengthen reliability and deployment procedures."

By pairing advanced sensing technology with scalable hydrant-based access, Motmot is working to deliver intelligence and visibility solutions that support the people who keep cities running every day.

Companies interested in validating infrastructure technologies in a controlled environment can contact ACM to explore collaboration opportunities.

About MotmotMotmot develops autonomous underwater robotic systems designed to support inspection and assessment of municipal water infrastructure. Learn more at https://www.motmot.ai.

About the American Center for MobilityThe American Center for Mobility is a 500-acre proving ground and technology campus dedicated to advancing safe, sustainable, and secure mobility solutions. Learn more at https://www.acmwillowrun.org.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Don't miss an event, announcement, or job opportunity. Get news delivered to your inbox and stay informed about what is going on in tech, business, and talent in the greater Ann Arbor region.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Don't miss an event, announcement, or job opportunity. Get news delivered to your inbox and stay informed about what is going on in tech, business, and talent in the greater Ann Arbor region.

Subscribe

*indicates required
Email Address *

SPARK Newsletters

  • Events Newsletter
  • Job Seeker Newsletter
  • Fast Forward Newsletter
  • Mobility Newsletter
  • a2Tech360 Updates
  • SPARK Capital Newsletter
  • Business Development Insights
Ann Arbor Spark Foundation published this content on February 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 26, 2026 at 07:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]