Drone center in Fort Worth will offer research for students, companies, first responders

The University of Texas at Arlington is expanding its research capabilities in Fort Worth with an outdoor drone research institute that will provide opportunities for students, companies, the military and first responders.

The Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center will be at the UT Arlington Research Institute , 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S, Fort Worth. It is expected to be completed in January, according to a news release .

“A facility like this is necessary as more and more organizations move toward using autonomous vehicles,” said Kate C. Miller, vice president for research and innovation at UTA, in a statement. “Just this week, UTA and the city of Arlington are demonstrating air robot deliveries in east Arlington as part of an ongoing project with the U.S. Department of Energy.”

The outdoor drone research center will be a “netted structure” with lighting, cameras and censors. The center will allow for testing in all weather, which is necessary to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The center will use the research capabilities of the university’s Autonomous Systems Laboratory.

In August, the university announced plans to build UTA West in Parker County. The campus is projected to serve 10,000 students.