Interactive autotech and mobility showcase descends on major urban centre in York Region
On December 2, the Driving Innovation – Automotive Industry Networking and Mobility Technology Demonstration Zone Showcase took place at Assembly Park in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. This unique event aimed to connect trailblazers from innovative start-ups that are leveraging Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zones to industry leaders who are shaping Ontario’s automotive future.
The indoor/outdoor showcase event was hosted in partnership by the Ontario Government, Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), APMA Canada, Assembly Park, City of Markham, City of Vaughan, and York Region.
York Region is the proud home of Canada’s largest independent automotive parts and electronics manufacturing cluster, making it a key contributor to Ontario’s and North America’s automotive supply chains. From local start-ups to established multinationals, companies in the Region drive forward-thinking automotive and mobility solutions.
It was great to see how both York Region-based startups and other startups from across Ontario are able to tap into the benefits of the Region’s #YRtech and auto sector ecosystem to propel their companies forward.
The event was highlighted by opening remarks from Minister Victor Fedeli, City of Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, and Head of OVIN Raed Kadri.
Attendees then had an opportunity to network with industry leaders in automotive and mobility technology, while experiencing firsthand the latest technologies showcased under the OVIN Demonstration Zone, and APMA Canada’s Project Arrow; which was onsite for attendees to view and explore.
APMA Canada’s Project Arrow 2.0 is in its early phase of development and will leverage all-Canadian parts and technology once again, while the open call stream for the OVIN DZ’s are currently accepting applications!
The startups were showcasing innovations that aim to provide solutions for a variety of mobility challenges, including:
Shared, Micro and Accessible Mobility Solutions: Scooty Mobility, RideAlike, Hopin Technologies, Tappy Technology are testing innovative approaches to multi-modal mobility to promote efficiency, affordability, and sustainability.
Maintenance & Delivery Robots: Kevares Autonomous Services and Real Life Robotics are leveraging smart sensor technologies and artificial intelligence to improve anomaly identification for sidewalk and cycle lane maintenance. Their showcase also featured ground robots, equipped with GPS and AI-supported machine learning for navigation and payment capabilities, to enable autonomous last-mile deliveries of goods and services.
Traffic Safety Solutions: Msafe Solutions and NoTraffic are enhancing safety on roadways by utilizing innovative data collection and analyzing traffic flow, laying the foundation for a smarter, more connected city.
Sustainable Charging Solutions: Kiwi Charge and REPWR are providing cutting-edge portable charging solutions to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation.
Parking Detection Solutions: Municipal Parking Services and Loop Parking Technologies are using advanced technologies with camera vision, real-time analytics, and AI to optimize parking enforcements, reduce congestion, and gather data on traffic and parking behaviour.
Road Patrol Solution: IRIS R&D is using computer vision and AI to automate road pavement and asset inspection, data collection, reporting and work order generation.
The event even gave guests an opportunity to experience a small taste of Vaughan’s local food scene with refreshments and small eats being provided by local food trucks.
If you want to learn more about what makes York Region a great place to do business for the automotive and autotech industry, please connect with our Senior Business Advisor, Katie Maginn by emailing katie.maginn@york.ca.