Original Article, OVIN (Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network), July 25th, 2023.
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is launching the new OVIN Demonstration Zone in partnership with the City of Vaughan and the City of Markham. This new $7.3 million project includes $2.5 million in support from the Ontario government through OVIN and $1.4 million in combined funding from the City of Vaughan and the City of Markham.
“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.”
The OVIN Demonstration Zone will give Ontario 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. 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.
“Ontario has emerged as a leader on the global stage as the automotive and mobility sector undergoes a transformation towards connected, autonomous and electric vehicles,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “Through the launch of the OVIN Demonstration Zone, we are inviting the world to come see all that Ontario has to offer, from the wealth of critical minerals in Northern Ontario, to the manufacturing strength of Southern Ontario, and everywhere in between.”
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.
To learn more and access the demonstration zone, apply to become a client.
For more information about OVIN, read here.
About the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
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.
