Unmanned Technology Lives Here
See Your Work in Motion at Torc Robotics
Companies in the Roanoke-Blacksburg region of Virginia are creating an autonomous vehicle ecosystem that will transform the industry and the future of transportation. With a testbed for experimenting with infrastructure to support commercialization and product development, this thriving sector is driving regional technology growth.
Together with a low cost of living, easy access to air, train, and interstate transportation, and innovative public school systems, the Roanoke-Blacksburg region is an ideal base for high-tech companies and their employees.
Location, Location, Location. The region is located an easy 4 hours by car or train to Washington, D.C., and 3 hours to Charlotte or Richmond.
Academic Resources. 25 colleges and universities are located within an hour’s drive, including Virginia Tech, Radford University, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke College, Hollins University, Washington & Lee University, and Virginia Military Institute.
National Impact. It started with the Smart Road right here in Southwest Virginia, and extends to household names in the industry, such as Torc Robotics, part of the Daimler Trucks family. These notable, local companies are helping the nation get where it needs to be with increased efficiency and safety.
By the Numbers
10th: Virginia’s research spending in areas relevant to automotive manufacturing
$400 million: Investment from Virginia universities in automotive research
4: Major automotive research centers – Federal Highway Administration Highway Research Center; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Vehicle Research Center; Racing College of Virginia; Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI)
In the News
- Thomas: Virginia Autonomous Driving Firm Invests $8.5 Million in Second Facility, Expects to Triple Workforce
- Institute’s Sharing the Road with Trucks Program puts research into practice
- Fairfax County Times: Self-driving trucks hit Virginia highways
- Area Development: Torc Robotics Expands Self Driving Vehicle Software Development at Montgomery County, Virginia Campus
- TORC collaborates with Applied Intuition to Accelerate Development & Validation of Autonomous Trucks
Tour the Region’s Highlights
Adventure, Culture & a Tech Sector
Located in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the Roanoke-Blacksburg region bustles with outdoor adventures for all enthusiasts, diverse cultural and artistic amenities, academic universities with international reputations, and a burgeoning research, healthcare, and technology community.
Easy Living
Outside Adventure. Explore incredible natural offerings such as the Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Smith Mountain Lake, Huckleberry Trail, Blue Ridge Mountains, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, and the scenic New River.
Arts & Entertainment. Take advantage of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Mill Mountain Theater, Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, Taubman Museum of Art, award-winning farmer’s markets, Mill Mountain Zoo, Science Museum of Western Virginia, NCAA, and semiprofessional athletic events.
Enviable Climate. Enjoy an average January low of 27.2 F and an average July high of 87.0 F. Our average annual rainfall is 41.0 inches. The average commute time is 21.4 minutes, compared to the national average of 25.7 minutes.
The Future of Innovation
Experience the Roanoke-Blacksburg region of Virginia. With a central East Coast location, you can be here in a matter of hours. (There’s even an airport adjacent to the Torc location at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.) Come see for yourself. You’ll love building the future of innovation right here.
