A new frontier in autonomous trucking technology has taken shape with the official inauguration of a 78,000-square-foot office and testing facility by Aurora, a key player in the industry. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday at Montana State University’s Innovation Campus, marking a significant investment in high-tech infrastructure and research capabilities.
The state-of-the-art facility spans two stories and is equipped with advanced lidar research and development laboratories, along with a sophisticated manufacturing space and a clean room. A dedicated garage for vehicle testing has also been included, as well as a cutting-edge lidar testing range established in partnership with Montana State University.
Lidar, which stands for light detection and ranging, is a technology utilising laser pulses to gauge the presence, shape, and distance of objects, essential for the functionality of autonomous vehicles. Aurora's new facility aims to bolster the evolution and testing of its proprietary lidar technology, which boasts the capacity to identify objects over 450 meters away. This advancement is crucial for developing the self-driving capabilities needed for autonomous trucking on highways.
The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham, Montana State University’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development Alison Harmon, and Aurora's co-founder and CEO Chris Urmson. Governor Gianforte commented, “Our state is made stronger when companies like Aurora choose to expand their business in Montana. From their investments in the Bozeman community, to inspiring the next generation of innovators, Montana is seeing rapid growth in industries like photonics thanks to job creators like Aurora.”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines also expressed his support, stating, “The grand opening of Aurora’s Bozeman facility is wonderful news for Montana. Investing in cutting-edge technology and the photonics sector will provide new jobs and an increasingly talented workforce in our state.” Mayor Cunningham added, “We’re delighted to see Aurora’s commitment to Bozeman. This ribbon-cutting event is also an affirmation of the collaborative approach that the city of Bozeman, the state of Montana, Montana State University and our business community take to foster an environment where innovative, high-tech businesses like Aurora can grow and thrive.”
Aurora's focus on Bozeman is not happenstance; the area has a long-established reputation in optics and photonics research. Montana State University, which is widely regarded as the state’s largest research institution, has advanced research capabilities through its Optical Technology Center and Spectrum Lab. These centres have significantly contributed to establishing one of the highest concentrations of laser optics companies in the region. The university's research expenditures reach $258 million, highlighting its role as a prominent player in high-tech research and education.
Furthermore, Montana State University was recently announced as a founding member of the Headwaters Regional Technology and Innovation Hub, a project that aims to create tech jobs across Montana, especially in the photonics and smart sensors sectors, supported by a $41 million federal grant.
Alison Harmon remarked on the significance of the Innovation Campus, stating, “Innovation Campus is a window to the future of the land-grant mission. It is a place for partnerships among researchers and industry, and it provides students with hands-on education and employment opportunities.”
Founded in 2017, Aurora has expanded its presence across seven cities, including the acquisition of Bozeman-based Blackmore in 2019. Blackmore is notable for its advancements in frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar and has strong ties to Montana State University.
The Innovation Campus, developed by Charter Realty & Development in partnership with the Montana State University Alumni Foundation, is slated to ultimately encompass over half a million square feet of technology and office space, reinforcing Bozeman's status as a burgeoning hub for innovation in the region.
Source: Noah Wire Services