Tour: Southwest Research Institute

Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is one of the oldest and largest independent, nonprofit, applied research and development (R&D) organizations in the United States. Founded in 1947, and often called one of the best kept secrets in San Antonio, SwRI provides contract research and development services to industrial and government clients in the United States and abroad. As an independent nonprofit, SwRI has never endorsed any product or service and prohibits commercial clients from using its name in any marketing efforts. In line with its public mission, the staff of more than 2,700 specializes in the creation and transfer of technology in engineering and the physical sciences. While often avoiding the public spotlight, nonetheless the Institute is one of the most respected and sought after organizations of its kind; those who need SwRI know SwRI. The tour features four sites: Fire Technology, Ballistics and Explosives Test Range, Autonomous Vehicle Test Track, and the Metering Research Facility. Come get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of why visitors often conclude the Institute is like "Disneyland for engineers and scientists."

Fire Technology:
For more than 50 years, SwRI researchers have studied fire dynamics. See one of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to fire research and testing, with more than 40,000 square feet of floor space. 

Ballistics and Explosives Test Range: SwRI’sBallistics and Explosives Range is a 10-acre outdoor facility with 12 designated test sites for testing a variety of materials against ballistic and explosive threats. See the large compressed gas gun that was used to launch a piece of foam at a shuttle wing, thus proving the cause of the space shuttle Columbia disaster. 

Autonomous Vehicle Test Track: 
Since 1993, SwRI is been involved in the growing area of autonomous vehicle technology for both commercial and military applications. 
Hitch a ride at the test track, and leave the driving to us! 

Metering Research Facility: 
Visit the Metering Research Facility, a world-class, high-accuracy, high-technology flow measurement facility for meter development, meter calibration, and meter testing – simulating actual field operational conditions for the natural gas industry.