Westwood AI Awarded Grant to Participate in FLITE Program

Westwood AI, a Grand Rapids–based technology company building AI-driven autonomous inspection systems, is helping shape the future of aviation in the Greater Grand Rapids region through its selection into the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) program, a grant and pilot-testing initiative led by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority.

The company was selected as part of FLITE’s ninth cohort, receiving grant funding and the opportunity to pilot its technology in a live airport environment at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Westwood AI’s platform combines advanced drone data capture with an AI-powered analysis pipeline and automated workflows to deliver highly repeatable, accurate infrastructure insights. Designed for flexibility across infrastructure sectors, the system enables organizations to move from manual inspections to scalable, data-driven decision-making.

About the FLITE Program

FLITE is a first-of-its-kind aviation innovation program that supports companies developing new air travel technologies and services. Through a combination of grant funding and real-world testing opportunities, FLITE allows participating companies to test their solutions directly within airport operations, bridging the gap between innovation and implementation.

The program is made possible through partnerships with Avflight Grand Rapids, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines, and the West Michigan Aviation Academy. Since its launch, FLITE has supported more than 40 projects and awarded over $1.5 million in grant funding across nine rounds.

Westwood AI’s Path to FLITE

Westwood AI’s selection into FLITE was the result of persistence, iteration, and collaboration. After not receiving funding during its initial application, the company was encouraged to reapply with guidance and support from the program and regional partners.

The feedback process helped Westwood AI refine both its technical deployment model and its value proposition for airport operators. By incorporating input from regional aviation stakeholders and economic development partners, the team strengthened its alignment with real-world operational needs. The second application reflected a more focused approach to compliance mapping, runway-specific workflows, and integration into active airport environments, ultimately resulting in acceptance into the ninth cohort.

“Once we started to grow a network with places like The Right Place, what we found was a prime environment, especially here in Grand Rapids, to connect like businesses, like mine, to legacy industries that haven’t been touched yet by the services we offer,” said Dakoyta Greenman, Founder and CEO of Westwood AI.

That momentum ultimately opened the door to pilot testing in an operational airport setting.

The Pilot Project: Runway Ranger

As part of FLITE, Westwood AI will deploy its Runway Ranger airfield operations tool to test how AI-enabled autonomous systems can improve runway safety, infrastructure readiness, and maintenance best practices.

Runway Ranger is designed to streamline inspection cycles by combining autonomous flight operations with AI-based defect detection. Compared to traditional manual inspections, the system can significantly reduce inspection time while increasing detection precision and documentation consistency. The platform can identify early-stage deterioration, including surface cracking, divots, and lighting irregularities, and organize findings into standardized reporting formats aligned with FAA Part 139-related compliance categories.

This level of automation supports more proactive maintenance planning, improved audit readiness, and long-term cost management for airport operators, helping infrastructure tams shift from reactive repairs to preventative strategies.

“We provide all the automation to supplement how we use the drone in each situation,” Greenman explains. “When we go to an airport, we’ll fly over and collect the information, and then the Ranger has the data that is relevant to whatever the customer needs to find out. Cracks, divots, lighting, you name it.”

The pilot will also allow the company to demonstrate how its repeatable process can integrate seamlessly into active airport operations.

“The same process I would take with commercial buildings is the same process I would take with runways. Our process has endless applications and use cases, and we can apply it to things like the FLITE program.”

Looking Ahead

While the FLITE pilot represents an important milestone, it is only the beginning for Runway Ranger.

Westwood AI envisions scaling the platform to additional regional and national airports, expanding its capabilities across adjacent infrastructure sectors, and continuing to develop AI automation tools that address broader aviation and transportation system needs. By demonstrating the power of repeatable, AI-driven inspections in a live airport environment, the company is positioning itself to support a more data-informed, resilient, and efficient future for aviation and infrastructure nationwide.

Strengthening Michigan’s Aviation and Technology Ecosystem

From navigating the application process to aligning the project with program goals, our team, alongside other programs in the region, worked with Westwood AI to help secure FLITE funding and prepare for pilot deployment.

This support reflects our broader commitment to helping innovative companies access the resources they need to grow while continuing to position the Greater Grand Rapids Region as a hub for technology and diverse business solutions.