Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025 • Brian Lopez : Contact

About 150 industry leaders, researchers from universities across Texas and community partners gathered Tuesday as The University of Texas at Arlington unveiled the Maverick Autonomous Vehicle Research Center—MAVRC—a cutting-edge outdoor netted drone facility set to accelerate autonomous technology research and strengthen Fort Worth’s role as the “Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas.”

Located at UTARI, UT Arlington’s research institute in Fort Worth, the 120-by-150-foot structure towers 40 feet high and is equipped with 26 motion-capture cameras, wireless internet and nighttime lighting. A connected 720-square-foot control and observation center allows researchers, students and industry partners to test advanced autonomous aerial vehicles in a controlled, FAA-compliant environment.

“Located in Fort Worth, the Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas, this state-of-the-art center positions our region at the forefront of autonomous systems research,” said Wayne Atchley, vice president for regional campuses. “MAVRC is not just a building; it is a hub where faculty, students and industry come together to solve real-world problems. It will be a catalyst for regional growth, preparing students for emerging careers, building strong industry partnerships and ensuring Fort Worth remains a leader in advanced air mobility.”

MAVRC will support a wide range of projects, from improving drones’ ability to navigate obstacles and carry payloads to testing surveillance and security systems to monitoring crops and the environment to inspecting bridges, power lines and supply chains—making it a versatile tool for innovation, public safety and real-world problem solving.

Related: UT Arlington Research Institute: A hidden gem solving real-world problems

“This is a partnership between the College of Engineering and UTARI,” said Peter Crouch, dean of the College of Engineering. “Given the complicated restrictions of flying unmanned aerial vehicles, this space will play a pivotal role in helping us innovate and advance the technology in a safe environment.”

Eileen Clements, interim executive director of UTARI, added that MAVRC will also serve industry and government partners.

“This is a perfect addition to UTARI, where we specialize in applying cutting-edge technologies to real-world engineering problems,” she said. “We are excited for all the new opportunities this facility will enable for UTA faculty, researchers and students, as well as our business partners in the North Texas community.”

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130^th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.