Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario has launched a $7.3 million pilot demonstration project for frontier automotive technologies with $2.5 million from the provincial government and $1.4 million in combined funding from the City of Vaughan and the City of Markham.
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) demonstration zone will operate across York Region, giving small and medium-sized businesses real-world environments to pilot and demonstrate innovative automotive and mobility solutions, including electric vehicle technologies, shared and integrated mobility solutions, robotics, and connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.
“Funding for this demonstration zone supports companies across our province to commercialize their automotive and mobility solutions, and signals to the world Ontario’s capabilities as a leading automotive and mobility jurisdiction,” said Claudia Krywiak, president and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).
Companies will be able to showcase leading-edge technologies, serving as a lighthouse to attract new customers and partners which will create jobs and increase the export of Ontario-made technologies around the world.
“With a world-class workforce, state-of-the-art research and development facilities, and an abundance of critical minerals, Ontario has secured its position a global leader in the auto sector,” said Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade. “We’re building on that momentum with the new OVIN Demonstration Zone and ensuring that our innovators and entrepreneurs have the tools needed to bring made-in-Ontario automotive and mobility solutions to the world. The vehicles of the future will be built in Ontario, by Ontario workers.”
Automotive technologies and accelerate smart mobility innovation have the potential to improve quality of life, while generating new economic opportunities for Ontario. The Zone will operate with the support of key partners, including SmartCentres, Rogers Communications, Syntronic, Honda Canada, AMD, IBM, Qualcomm, Microart Services Inc., Remington Group, PSP Services, York Region, York Region Transit, Toronto Transit Commission, York University, Alectra, and Seneca-HELIX.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti welcomed the initiative.
“Markham has always been home to automotive manufacturing. Our city is proud to be a leader in supporting municipalities across Ontario in adopting next-generation transportation technologies.” Mayor Steven Del Duca said in a statement after the provincial announcement.
“Vaughan’s new demonstration zone will support the advancement of technology to improve the way we move people and goods, all while generating new economic opportunities for Ontario-based businesses,” Delduca said. “Vaughan’s automotive sector is thriving, and I look forward to seeing what innovations will arise from this new initiative.
“In Vaughan, innovation is in our DNA. Whether it’s our ambitious Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct with a vision to create an epicentre of health excellence, or this automotive and smart mobility demonstration zone that will showcase the future of transportation innovation, we are committed to building a brighter future for all our residents.”