Orlando lands San Francisco autonomous vehicle summit for the first time

autonomous vehicles
It's a recognition of Orlando's newly acquired status as a leader in autonomous vehicle technology.

Orlando will host the 2019 Automated Vehicles Symposium next week July 15-18. It’s the first time the event will take place outside of San Francisco.

“Orlando is poised to become the global capital for autonomous vehicles. In 2018, our region was designated as one of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 10 autonomous vehicle proving grounds to test AV technology on behalf of the country,” said Orlando Economic Partnership President Tim Giuliani.

“This year marks the opening of SunTrax, America’s newest test track facility for autonomous vehicles testing and performance. We’re home to major R&D and manufacturing operations for Silicon Valley-based Luminar Technologies. Our region is the friendliest in the nation for autonomous vehicle technology and will soon offer a 5G network.” 

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International is hosting the symposium. The Transportation Research Board is co-sponsoring the event. 

Organizers expect the event to draw more than 1,000 autonomous vehicle thought leaders from companies like Toyota, Volvo, Nissan and Uber. 

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics. The group chose to relocate its symposium from San Francisco to draw on Central Florida’s new status as a leading testbed for autonomous vehicle technology.

One of the major reasons AUVSI chose Orlando is because we’re one of the few locations in the nation that allows live demos,” Giuliani said. “We are thrilled to welcome AUVSI to the region and demonstrate to them and the world that Orlando is driving the future of AV technology.”

Breakout sessions at the symposium will cover a wide variety of timely topics such as safety, mobility and energy, and environmental impacts of AVs. It will also feature expert-led sessions, 50 exhibiting companies and hundreds of opportunities for attendees to network with fellow industry professionals and colleagues.

“Thanks to our theme park expertise, our region has been piloting and sharing new technology with people for decades – and now we get to use that approach to socialize autonomous vehicles,” Giuliani said.

Sen. Jeff Brandes from St. Petersburg, a legislative leader in bringing autonomous vehicle technology to Florida, will be on hand for the event. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault will also attend. 

The symposium is located at the Orlando World Center Marriott at 8701 World Center Drive. 

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


One comment

  • Mary

    July 14, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    Tech gurus teamed up with top politicians and are stealing election and are using voter fraud to force tax payers to pay for improving roads for autonomous vehicles.

    It’s all a gimmick and this is one deception how election fraud is being used in Florida.

    Please move to paper voting to stop statewide election fraud.

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories