Texas Technology Task Force

Innovative Transportation

The Texas Technology Task Force advances the development of a high-performance transportation system, which will continue to position Texas as a leader in economic activity and technological innovation.

Upcoming Task Force meeting

The Road Ahead: Robotics Transforming Transportation

A photo of two men in orange safety vests and hard hats crouched beside a four legged walking robot on a stone ledge inside Inner Space Cavern. One man is holding what appears to be a remote operating device.

March 10, 2026

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST

TxDOT Stassney Campus - 6230 E. Stassney Ln., Austin, TX 78744

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Registration requested to attend in-person or virtually

Times shown are in Central Standard Time (CST).

8:30 AM | Welcome

Darran Anderson, TxDOT Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation

8:40 AM | Meeting Overview

Rose Guajardo, TxDOT TTTF Strategic Management Analyst

8:45 AM | Opening Briefing: Moving from Automation into Autonomy and toward Physical AI with Robotics

Building from the arc of robotics development, explore the state of pilot-ready and deployment-ready robotics technology, including its applications and potential, with an eye toward emerging technologies, the future state of robotics, and its implications for transportation infrastructure.

Speaker: Alex Rudin, MITRE

9:15 AM | Presentation Session: Pilot-Ready Robotics for Work Zones and Infrastructure Inspections

This session features presentations on pilot‑ready robotic systems that improve safety, efficiency, and data quality in work zones and infrastructure inspection by addressing current worker hazards.

Moderator: Steve Dellenback, Southwest Research Institute
Remarks: Sammy Salazar, TxDOT Occupational Safety Division Director

Speakers:

Gus Escobedo, TxDOT Emerging Technology Assessment Program (ETAP) Lead
Willie Semora, TxDOT Austin District Director of Construction
Anthony Garcia, TxDOT Bryan District Bridge Inspection Specialist
Matthew Bryant, TxDOT ITD Engineering Services Manager
Wyatt Newman, RoadPrintz

10:15 AM | Break

10:30 AM | Moderated Discussion: Moving Pilot-Ready Robotics Forward

This session consists of moderated discussion to further showcase technologies while exploring what is required for successful adoption and deployment.

Moderator: Steve Dellenback, Southwest Research Institute

Panelists:

Gus Escobedo, TxDOT Emerging Technology Assessment Program Lead
Willie Semora, TxDOT Austin District Direction of Construction
Anthony Garcia, TxDOT Bryan District Bridge Inspection Specialist
Matthew Bryant, TxDOT ITD Engineering Services Manager
Jason Acerbi, Boston Dynamics
Wyatt Newman, RoadPrintz

11:00 AM | Reflections

11:25 AM | Closing Remarks

Darran Anderson, TxDOT Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation

11:30 AM | Robotic Demonstrations (outside)

12:00 PM | Adjourn

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Meeting ID: 288 023 530 787 12

Passcode: sZ9As6dp

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+1 737-787-8607,,697565758# United States, Austin

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Phone conference ID: 697 565 758#

Meeting location and email contact

Email Texas Technology Task Force

TxDOT Stassney Headquarters - Auditorium
6230 E. Stassney Lane
Austin, TX 78744

Note: Parking is available in front of TxDOT's main building.

About the Texas Technology Task Force

The 83rd Texas Legislature (2013) issued a mandate to TxDOT to establish a technology task force to monitor and advise on emerging transportation technologies. The Texas Technology Task Force was formed following this mandate with a deliberate composition of subject matter experts across industry, research institutions, and public agencies with extensive knowledge in vehicle automation, telecommunications, big data, innovative funding and partnerships, transit, freight, long-range and strategic planning, and additional areas of expertise. Task Force membership is dynamic and undergoes periodic review to ensure that the right mix of expertise is included to capture perspectives on new technologies and innovative processes.

The Task Force has designed its activities to advance the mission of transformational technology discovery, stakeholder engagement, coordination, and planning with other state agencies and developing strategic recommendations for technology advancement. The Task Force activities are planned around its organizing principles of People, Portfolio, Plans, and Process.

The Task Force documents their work by submitting annual white papers on information regarding innovative technologies, policies, or programs. The 2022 Technology Utilization Plan (TUP) identifies opportunities for TxDOT to use advanced technology to reasonably meet existing and anticipated goals in the near and long term. This plan discusses leveraging Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the transportation sector. It also recommends that in the near-term TxDOT should "look for data procurement opportunities to encourage improved collaboration and innovation among public agencies”. The document recommends “leveraging data from connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and prioritizing cybersecurity to mitigate risks associated with the states data resources". The utilization plan acknowledges that AI can have a positive influence on safety, congestion, sustainability, access, and maintenance. More details about this information can be found on the 2022 Tech Utilization Plan.