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‘Creating an Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem’ webinar set for June 10

At 1 p.m. June 10, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), in partnership with the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI), is presenting “Creating an Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem in Virginia,” a webinar focused on how Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia are creating an autonomous vehicle (AV) ecosystem in Virginia.

The event will address where we are today and what we need to do to make the dream of a network of fully autonomous vehicles a reality in Virginia. Click here to register and hear from leading autonomous-vehicle experts who are paving the way to a connected-vehicle future.

First panel: Sensing, Perception and the Connected Corridor

One of the main challenges facing AV technology is how vehicles can sense and perceive the environment around them. This panel will focus on how technology is being deployed to enable vehicles to function safely in even the most complicated scenarios. Learn from a pioneering company in AV technology, VDOT, a smart city sensor company and an on-demand platform on how these technologies can work together on public roads.

Moderated by Jacqueline Beckwith, Manager of Advocacy and Government Relations, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, panelists will be:

Second Panel: On Demand Services for First- and Last-Mile Connections

Managing the first-mile/last-mile is critical in successful implementations of AV tech. Learn from experts in the field and technology providers on how they are making it work.

Moderated by Christopher Roberts, president and co-founder of the DC Autonomous Vehicles Association, panelists will be:

Case study: “Relay”

The Case Study on “Relay,” will focus on the autonomous shuttle that is operating from the Mosaic District to the Dunn Loring Metrorail Station. DEI and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will walk through how, in a public-private partnership, Fairfax County was able to be the first jurisdiction in Virginia to bring an autonomous shuttle to public roads. Presenters will be:

  • Eta Nahapetian, manager, smart community innovation and strategy, Fairfax County DEI
  • Dale Castellow, consultant, Fairfax County DEI
  • Sarah Husain, transportation planner III, FCDOT

In addition, the welcome remarks will be given by: John Gustavo Blair, assistant director, National Business Investment, FCEDA; and Eta Nahapetian, manager, smart community innovation and strategy, Fairfax County DEI.

Opening remarks will be given by Alex Iams, executive vice president of the FCEDA, and Tracy Tynan, director of the Virginia Unmanned Systems Center, Center for Innovative Technology (CIT). Fairfax County Supervisor John W. Foust (Dranesville District) will provide closing remarks.

“The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority is proud to collaborate with the Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives to showcase this area of innovation,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA. “Viewers of this webinar will be able to garner insight into how Fairfax County and private- and public-sector innovators are creating an autonomous vehicle ecosystem.”

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains business investment offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

The FCEDA is a member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, which promotes and markets Northern Virginia outside the region and conducts activities and events to build the regional business community. Other members of NOVA EDA are the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Arlington County, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development.

June 2, 2021