Technology
Mars Rover. |
L.A. County Technology
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With three world-class research universities, several private think tanks, a key NASA outpost and some of the nation’s most important research and development facilities, Los Angeles County lays claim to a sizeable chunk of the high-tech marketplace.
While Northern California’s technology is based on silicon, much of Southern California’s advanced engineering and production is created from composites and electronics used in aerospace.
In 2007, this segment employed over 152,000 people in L.A. County. The technology industry has grown significantly. Businesses are working more closely with educational and research institutions to develop and create technology solutions. The result is a large number of new companies with highly innovative and exciting technology products.
Aerospace and defense giant Northrop Grumman has headquarters in L.A. County and other legendary firms like Boeing and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works all have major operations here. Other aviation firms such as Torrance’s Robinson Helicopters, the world’s leading producer of civilian rotary aircraft, and AeroVironment of Monrovia, makers of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used in military and scientific applications, are representative of the kind of innovation for which L.A. County’s aviation sector has become famous.
Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory sends amazing robotic spacecraft to Mars and beyond, while nearby Idea Lab and Entretech launch promising new companies from their technology incubators. Additional technology incubators include Cal Poly Pomona’s Innovation Village, the UCLA on-campus Technology Incubation Program, and the L.A. County’s Business Technology Center in Altadena all serve to assist start-up and early stage technology firms to grow and prosper.
Green technology and the environmental sciences are playing an increasingly important role in the L.A. County economy.