Letters: Indiana’s impact on innovation

The Consumer Electronics Show 2025, commonly known as CES, wrapped up earlier this month in Las Vegas, and Indiana once again had a robust presence at the world’s largest technology showcase. For the fourth straight year, Indiana boasted an impressive delegation, highlighting our leadership in autonomous mobility and technology procurement before a global audience eager for innovation.

The Applied Research Institute played a pivotal role in this year’s CES, collaborating with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to bolster Indiana’s visibility on this prominent stage. ARI’s efforts were instrumental in forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones, underscoring our commitment to a growth-focused ecosystem that accelerates the commercialization of groundbreaking products and technologies. CES remains an unparalleled venue for these initiatives.

Building on a tradition established during Indiana’s inaugural CES appearance, the Indy Autonomous Challenge once again stood out as a marquee event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year’s event showcased the first-ever, multi-car simultaneous autonomous vehicle race. With participation from nine university teams worldwide, the Challenge showcased Indiana’s leadership in autonomous technology while reinforcing the state’s role in the global tech ecosystem. Indiana’s own teams from Purdue University and Indiana University stood out, making significant strides in the time trials and two-car passing phases of the competition.

Off the track, the Indiana Pavilion was a hot spot within Eureka Park, a vibrant area dedicated to startups. Here, eight innovative Indiana companies, including Ateios Systems and LEO Flight, showcased pioneering advancements in high-energy battery manufacturing, health analytics and even flying cars. Positioned strategically adjacent to the Startup Stage, Indiana’s Pavilion drew significant attention, fostering connections that promise to propel Indiana’s tech sector forward.

CES panel discussions featured ARI leaders and highlighted our novel programs like the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, which securely connects innovators with the Department of Defense so that our nation and allies can quickly deploy the most modern defense capabilities.

The Friends of Indiana reception, a collaborative effort with IEDC and Indiana University Ventures, brought together a diverse array of businesses and celebrated the advantages of expanding operations in Indiana, setting the stage for future growth.

Indiana’s dedication to sharing its innovation story with a global audience has ensured that the Hoosier state continues to lead startup and tech ecosystem growth, both nationally and internationally. CES 2025 demonstrated ARI’s role in building partnerships and connecting resources across America’s technology ecosystem to deliver solutions that power economic growth and strengthen national security. The connections made and innovations showcased this year promise a bright future for Indiana’s entrepreneurs and innovators.

—Dave Roberts
CEO, Applied Research Institute