All Roads Lead to Orlando

Autonomous Vehicle Proving Ground

Orlando is a global hub, test bed and implementation proving grounds for autonomous vehicles. It’s one of the first regions to be designated a national AV proving-ground. It also has some of the nation’s friendliest AV legislation. Being the largest tourist destination in the world means Orlando has the infrastructure and scalability for a diverse set of test cases. Plus, Orlando’s competencies in simulation, aviation, defense and history in space exploration combined with specialized university research and a robust talent pipeline make this the ideal location to develop and test autonomous technologies.

Connect with an Expert

Abigail Wagner

Associate Director, Economic Development

407.902.2442

Florida is the State With the Best Regulatory Environment for Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, 2024
Orlando is the Largest Rental Car Market in the World

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
Over 4,000 Miles of Fiber Optic Communications Infrastructure

GeoTel, 2023
74 Million Annual Visitors

Visit Orlando, 2023

Known for the companIes we keep

Featured Autonomous Vehicle Technology Companies

80 percent of workers in Orlando are employed outside of the leisure and hospitality industry. We’re a little more innovative than you might think.

Luminar Technologies

Luminar is a sensor and software company delivering LiDAR for autonomous vehicles.

Beep/Navya

Founded by experienced fleet managers and technology entrepreneurs, beep delivers the next generation of services for passenger mobility. Beep is…

Siemens Energy

Siemens Energy generates and delivers power from numerous sources including the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and natural gas…

Voyage

Voyage is bringing a door-to-door self-driving taxi service to the 750 miles of road at The Villages. When fully operational,…

"With its world class mix of companies, research institutions and human capital that have decades of developing, manufacturing and selling photonic products, Orlando has a unique blend of expertise and talent."

– Scott Faris, Chief Business Officer at Luminar

Learn More See More Success Stories

The Nation’s friendliest state For Autonomous Vehicle Legislation

Florida is one of the friendliest places in the world for AV legislation. Orlando’s hospitality roots extend beyond welcoming tourists from all over the world to new technologies and companies.

Orlando began exploring AV technology in 2011 with the connected vehicle-affiliated testing bed along I-4. In 2012, the Florida Automated Vehicles program was established to lead the state in developing best safety practices and promote awareness for AVs and relevant technology. Statewide, House Bill 7027 was passed in 2016, which cleared the way for all forms of AV testing.

Signed in June 2019, House Bill 311 solidifies Florida’s AV friendly stance by designating the autonomous driving system the official operator of vehicle and provides that a human operator is not required to operate a fully autonomous vehicle. HB 311 embraces the future of transportation by removing barriers to the advancement of autonomous vehicles and establishing a statewide statutory framework.

http://www.suntraxfl.com/

SunTrax

A large, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies in safe and controlled environments.

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot1717

Kennedy Space Center

NASA Kennedy Space Center provides a controlled testing facility for AV that offers a contained environment with a vast roadway network and secure access.

https://www.fdot.gov/info/moreDOT/districts/dist5.shtm

Public Highways

Orlando has designated public highways, roadways and transit for autonomous vehicle testing.

https://www.cfxway.com/

Central Florida Expressway Authority

A privately owned highway network, includes Florida highways 408, 414, 417, 429, 451, 528, 429 and 453

The Theme here is success

Training Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

Orlando universities offer specialized programs and certifications related to autonomous technology, including University of Central Florida (UCF)’s Institute for Simulation and Training, Full Sail University’s Bachelor’s Degree in Simulation & Visualization and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s Simulation Science, Games and Animation Program.

Florida Polytechnic University
This entirely STEM degree based university located in Lakeland, Fla. is home to the Advanced Mobility Institute, a leader in autonomous vehicle research.

Full Sail University
Full Sail’s Simulation & Visualization Bachelor of Science degree program equips engineers working in the simulation and visualization industry with vital programming and critical thinking skills.

Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA)
A graduate video game design school offering an accredited master’s degree in interactive entertainment.

School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training
The UCF School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training is a global leader in Modeling and Simulation graduate education.

The College of Optics and Photonics
The UCF College of Optics and Photonics is a world leader in education, research, and industrial partnership.

Orange Technical College
The Modeling Simulation Production program prepares students for employment as Modeling and Simulation Technicians, Modeling and Simulation Programmers, and Modeling and Simulation Developers.

Connect with a Subject Matter Expert

Get in touch with Abigail Wagner, Director of Economic Development, for additional information including customized talent data and tailored space recommendations.

Call her today: 407.902.2442