Project’s goals: Boost industry growth and technological advancements by developing statewide UAS commercialization strategy
A UND Research Institute of Autonomous Systems UAV is used to inspect a field. UND archival image.
GRAND FORKS, N.D., Feb. 28 — The University of North Dakota Center for Innovation is proud to announce three $50,000 awards — one to each of three companies, for $150,000 in total — for Project RuralReach, an initiative designed to harness unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology to revolutionize rural living, enhance economic resilience and support rural communities across North Dakota.
This exciting project is funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) — ARPA Economic Adjustment Assistance Program.
Project RuralReach will develop a statewide UAS commercialization strategy and economic impact study to enable further industry growth and technological advancements. The initiative will focus on three key areas through the completion of these use case tests:
• Rural Delivery – iSight, RPV Services has been chosen to complete the rural delivery and supply chain logistics use case in the Western Region of the state. The use case will test and gather data to allow for examination of infrastructure, technology and workforce needs to enable increased access to essential goods.
· Sustainable Power – The team of Botlink, Dunlevy Consulting, and Utah State University AggieAir, have been chosen to complete a project exploring sustainable power opportunities and conditions to extend the operational range of autonomous vehicles. This use case test will be completed in the Southeast region of North Dakota.
· Emergency Response – Censys Technologies has been chosen to complete a project focused on testing and examination of resources, technology and infrastructure needs to deploy UAS for disaster response, real-time situational awareness, and resource mobilization in crisis scenarios. This use case test will be completed in the Northeast region of North Dakota.
The project will be spearheaded by UND’s Center for Innovation (CFI), Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS) and the Institute for Policy and Business Analytics (IPBA) in partnership with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS), The Vantis System and the State of North Dakota. Together, these strategic partners will collaborate on technology commercialization, workforce development, and business use cases to ensure UAS solutions are effectively integrated into rural communities.
With vendors now in place, Project RuralReach is entering the implementation phase, with initial flight testing and operational trials scheduled to begin in the coming months. Ongoing updates on progress, industry partnerships, and public engagement opportunities will be shared.
About The UND Center for Innovation
The mission of the Center for Innovation is to advance the creation and development of innovative ideas, services, and businesses. The UND Center for Innovation focuses on commercialization of new ventures, operates an entrepreneurial incubator that provides space for innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers, and helps founders secure access to capital to ultimately encourage economic development in the state of North Dakota and the Northern Plains.
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