Markham, Ontario – June 5, 2024 – Today, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zone (OVIN DZ) proudly hosted the second Driving Innovation – Automotive Industry Networking and Mobility Technology Showcase, highlighting the latest Ontario-made advancements in automotive and mobility technologies. This event brought together more than 100 industry leaders, start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), government officials, and ecosystem partners to celebrate Ontario’s leadership in the global automotive and mobility sector.
“With a talented workforce and state-of-the-art research and development facilities, Ontario continues to solidify its position as a global leader in the development and deployment of next-generation automotive and mobility technologies,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through strategic investments and programs like today’s OVIN Demonstration Zone Showcase, our government is proud to support the commercialization of advanced vehicle technologies that will strengthen Ontario’s global competitiveness and drive long-term economic growth for our province and its workers. We congratulate this year’s fifteen exhibitors on their demonstrations and wish them continued success.”
The event featured live demonstrations from the second cohort of companies participating in the OVIN DZ, giving attendees opportunities to interact with the innovators behind these cutting-edge technologies and explore how they are being tested in real-world settings with municipal collaboration. The showcase also enabled valuable dialogue among SMEs, municipal stakeholders, and industry, focused on deployment results, insights gained from demonstrations, and opportunities to support the adoption and deployment of these technologies.
The technology showcase included:
- Smart Road Safety and Traffic Intelligence:
Innovative Traffic Solutions Inc., Loop Parking Inc., Msafe Solutions Inc., Acceo Solutions Inc. and AirMatrix Inc. showcased AI-powered detection systems and real-time intelligence tools designed to improve urban mobility, traffic safety and enforcement of parking violations. - Data-Driven Infrastructure and Urban Planning:
GeoMate Inc. and NavMobility Inc. demonstrated the use of geospatial technologies to support smarter infrastructure and transportation planning. Both companies showcased aerial and mobile LiDAR mapping solutions to identify gaps and inefficiencies in urban transportation networks. - Emergency Response and Augmented Reality:
Longan Vision Corp. presented an augmented reality headset designed for first responders. The technology enhances situational awareness, communication, and navigation in low-visibility conditions, helping firefighters locate victims and identify hazards in real time. - Winter Operations and Fleet Management:
BluWave-ai showcased a solution that applies AI optimization and quantum computing to improve winter road operations. Their technology aims to increase the efficiency of snow plowing and salting while reducing environmental impact and operational costs. - Shared, Micro and Accessible Mobility Solutions:
Scooty Mobility Inc., RideAlike Inc., and Hop In Technologies Inc. showcased innovative approaches to multi-modal mobility, promoting efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in urban mobility.
- Maintenance & Delivery Robots:
Kevares Inc. and Real Life Robotics Inc. showcased autonomous ground robots equipped with GPS, smart sensors, and AI-supported machine learning to enable last-mile delivery of goods and services, while also improving anomaly detection for sidewalk and cycle lane maintenance.
- Sustainable Charging Solutions: Kiwi Charge Inc. showcased cutting-edge portable charging solutions to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation
“The partnership collaboration between our cities and the Ontario Province to advance the OVIN Demonstration Zone work is critical to accelerate the commercialization of Ontario-made technologies to transform Ontario’s automobility and transportation ecosystem,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Mayor. “Markham is home to Ontario’s autotech cluster that powers Canada’s innovation corridor, we are proud to deliver on Markham OVIN Demonstration Zone program. The 2nd OVIN DZ Showcase event is a strong testament to the thriving innovations driven by companies’ cutting-edge technologies in our region and Canada.”
“I would like to congratulate the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Demonstration Zone and the companies in this program for another successful Driving Innovation – Automotive Industry Networking and Mobility Technology Showcase,” said Mayor Steven Del Duca, City of Vaughan. “As Vaughan is home to one of the largest automotive sectors in the province, we must do everything we can to ensure it continues to thrive, and this program is a significant step in the right direction. These innovative businesses showcased their unique automotive and mobility technologies to demonstrate what is truly possible for our future. Companies like these will ensure we find Ontario-made solutions to keep our economy strong in the face of tariffs from the U.S. I want to thank OVIN for their continued support, along with our partners at the City of Markham. By working together to advance innovative solutions of tomorrow, there is truly no limit to what we can achieve.”
Fueled by a $2.5 million investment from the Ontario government, the OVIN Demonstration Zone is strategically located across the cities of Vaughan and Markham, providing SMEs with access to real-world environments for demonstrating and accelerating the adoption of transformative automotive and mobility technologies. The cities of Vaughan and Markham provide access to infrastructure, municipal support, and feedback from city stakeholders and end-users, allowing companies to validate and further refine their solutions, and respond to emerging mobility challenges.
“As the global automotive and mobility sector evolves, Ontario is steadfast in its vision to continue serving as a lighthouse for innovation and economic growth by accelerating the journey of homegrown companies into domestic and global markets,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “The OVIN Demonstration Zone is central to this monumental effort, bringing together government, industry, and municipalities to showcase Ontario-made technologies, scale companies for growth, and unleash their vast potential to drive the next generation of the automotive and mobility sector.”
Today’s showcase in Markham marks the culmination of the second OVIN DZ cohort and builds on the momentum showcased in Vaughan last year. These demonstrations reflect Ontario’s commitment to accelerating the commercialization and adoption of cutting-edge automotive and mobility technologies in response to real-world challenges. Through platforms like OVIN DZ, the province empowers homegrown innovators to validate solutions in real environments, foster industry collaboration, and bring transformative technologies to market. Through these efforts, Ontario continues to lead in shaping the future of the sector and positioning itself as a global hub for automotive and mobility innovation.
“Through the OVIN Demonstration Zone, Ontario is creating the conditions for companies to thrive, technologies to scale, and solutions to be proven in the real world,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation. “The Demonstration Zone is a shining example of how collaboration between government, municipalities, and innovators can unlock the full potential of our province’s mobility ecosystem.”
For more information about the OVIN Demonstration Zone, visit ovindz.ca.
About the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies.
Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies. For more information: https://www.ovinhub.ca
Media Inquiries
Alicia Pereira, apereira@oc-innovation.ca