JOHNSTOWN, PA — April 15, 2026 — Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (Pitt-Johnstown), together with regional industry partners, today launched a first-of-its-kind drone-based bridge inspection initiative at the FutureReady Innovation Center. The center is located in the building formerly known as the Jupiter Building in downtown Johnstown.
The demonstration marks the first hands-on implementation of a broader effort to position the region as a hub for workforce innovation, advanced manufacturing, and applied engineering education. Students in Professor George “Skip” Glenn’s Advanced Drone Applications course are using drones in a controlled indoor environment to inspect bridge beam structures provided by Mission Critical Solutions (MCS), giving them direct experience with real-world infrastructure inspection scenarios.
The initiative brings together Pitt-Johnstown, Pittsburgh Gateways, JWF Industries, Aerium, Mission Critical Solutions, Horizon Aeronautics, and Mash Engineering in a collaborative effort to develop next-generation methods for bridge inspection using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), LiDAR applications, and related data tools. The project creates new opportunities for students to gain hands-on technical training tied directly to employer needs in engineering, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
The program utilizes a 20′ x 60′ portable drone enclosure that allows UPJ faculty and students to train with the Horizon Aeronautics HX1 drone, which is a platform designed for advanced autonomous operations and critical infrastructure applications. The initial training experience prepares 11 UPJ students for further UAS instruction provided through Aerium and for the first in a series of certifications in drone operations, systems management, and equipment service.
“Pitt-Johnstown’s role is to serve as a catalyst: spurring an ecosystem of collaboration between education and industry to support workforce development and innovation,” said Dr. Jem Spectar, president of Pitt-Johnstown. “In partnership with industry leaders, we are developing programs that give students hands-on experience and prepare them for high-demand careers.”
“We are transforming a historic downtown landmark into a launchpad for 21st-century careers,” said Sharon Place, Development Director at Pittsburgh Gateways. “This partnership creates a direct, high-speed pipeline from the classroom to the workforce, proving that Johnstown is ready to lead the way in advanced manufacturing and autonomous technology.”
Traditional bridge inspections can be costly, time-intensive, and potentially hazardous. Drone-based systems offer a safer, faster, and more comprehensive approach to collecting infrastructure data while also opening new pathways for workforce preparation.
As the first program to launch in the FutureReady Innovation Center, this initiative helps establish the former Jupiter Building as a multi-tenant innovation ecosystem where academic programs, industry partnerships, and regional economic revitalization come together.
Pitt-Johnstown is one of only five institutions in Pennsylvania selected to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration’s UAS Collegiate Training Initiative, further strengthening the university’s role in drone education and certification. The project is also aligned with the AIM Higher (AI + Advanced Manufacturing) Consortium, which is a multi-state effort to integrate AI into production systems across Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Funding for this first FutureReady Innovation Center training program was provided by the Bill Polacek dedicated FutureReady Fund, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, the 1889 Foundation, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
About Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation
Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation (PGC) is an economic development organization whose mission is to provide strategic planning, development, and direct management assistance to communities, research institutions, and private entities seeking to accelerate technology-based businesses. PGC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that aims to combat community deterioration in underserved areas of Pennsylvania and beyond. In addition to the FutureReady Innovation Center, PGC developed, owns, and operates the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit: pghgateways.org.
About the FutureReady Innovation Center
The FutureReady Innovation Center, located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is a premier workforce development and innovation hub designed to bridge the gap between education and industry. Owned and developed by Pittsburgh Gateways, the Center serves as a catalyst for regional economic growth by providing high-impact training and certification in emerging sectors. With the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown serving as its academic anchor, the FutureReady Innovation Center integrates rigorous educational standards with practical, hands-on experience. Through strategic collaborations with local industry leaders, the Center ensures that its programming (including its specialized drone training and technology initiatives) aligns directly with the hiring needs of the regional economy. For more information, visit: futurereadyjohnstown.com.
Photo Credit: Lexi Roth, University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown