MSU Attracts Autonomous Vehicle R&D Firm, Focus on Data Fusion and AI

The Michigan State University Foundation has announced Applied Research Associates Inc. (ARA) in Albuquerque has opened an innovation center within the University Corporate Research Park (UCRP) in Lansing. The opening marks the beginning of a research partnership with MSU’s College of Engineering.

The research will focus on autonomous vehicles, and the college and company will work together on object recognition, data fusion, control systems, and artificial intelligence for autonomous vehicles. ARA has more than 1,000 employees, most of whom have advanced degrees in engineering and the physical sciences.

“ARA is a perfect example of the catalyzing role we play in creating these types of collaborations,” says Jeff Smith, director of the UCRP. “Everyone benefits. These companies not only gain access to MSU’s world-renowned experts, they also get to tap into the community of talented students motivated to apply their knowledge and acquire real-world work experience.”

ARA was founded in 1979 and is an employee-owned scientific research and engineering company. Its research covers national defense, homeland security, aerospace, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing.

It also offers technical expertise in defense technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, civil engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental technologies, and blast testing and measurement. It provides engineering services and products for alternative fuels, as well.

The Michigan State University Foundation was established in 1973 as an independent nonprofit corporation. It fuels economic development initiatives through the commercialization of technologies invented by Michigan State University faculty, staff, and students.

The foundation also operates the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center, Michigan Biotechnology Institute, Red Cedar Ventures, Spartan Innovations, and the University Corporate Research Park.