A look at how GravitySlide is making RV travel safe and sustainable with autonomous technology
Inspiration for innovation can come from anywhere. It can be the gap you uncover from years of research, or during a trip across the country. For Ben Fisher, Founder of GravitySlide, that spark arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic when instead of traveling overseas, Fisher purchased an RV to explore Canada with his wife.
During his travels Fisher uncovered some issues with their RV that later became a catalyst for him to get back into the entrepreneurial mindset and disrupt the industry. In 2020, Fisher formed GravitySlide which offers safe, sustainable and innovative solutions like GravityDrive for the RV and commercial vehicle sector.
What is GravityDrive?
Fisher noticed that towing and parking a towable RV can be challenging for some users as they’re trying to navigate a bigger vehicle with restricted visibility. With GravityDrive, users can steer and park their travel trailer from a smartphone, eliminating the need for a tow vehicle during maneuvering. GravityDrive is an electric drive system that is compatible with all existing towable RV models, making the entire experience automated, accessible and stress-free.
The commercialization journey of GravityDrive
In the process of finding the right partners, Fisher came across Innovation Factory’s Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM) in 2023. Powered by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), CITM is an accelerator program helping innovators with smart, connected, and electrified transportation and infrastructure solutions to build viable and successful businesses.
“Having a strong background in starting a business and being a successful entrepreneur, I know the value of everything from mentorship and expert advisors to getting access to funding opportunities and being involved in the start-up ecosystem,” shared Fisher. “Connecting with CITM was a natural move for me.”
As GravitySlide began its commercialization journey, choosing to be situated in Hamilton proved advantageous. “With McMaster University, The Forge, and Innovation Factory all nearby, along with our manufacturing facility, it made sense to anchor ourselves in this innovation ecosystem,” Fisher explained.
Working with CITM, Fisher was given valuable advice on pitching alongside some very productive introductions to partners like OVIN, IDEAWORKS at Mohawk College, and more. In 2024, these introductions resulted in up to $450,000 in funding from OVIN for technology development through the R&D Partnership Fund – C/AV and Smart Mobility – Stream 2 Program, as well as a further $70K in funding through OVIN’s Talent Edge Program.
Later, the team also developed a collaborative relationship with Ettractive, a London-based EV solutions manufacturer and fellow CITM innovator, for the manufacturing and use of their GravityDrive technology.
What’s next for GravitySlide?
Today, GravitySlide is already turning heads in the RV industry. They are gaining attention from industry leaders and early adopters for their solutions. The team has partnered with Nomad Customs—a leading name in luxury RV restoration and upgrades.
Fisher and his team are currently in discussion with some major retailers and dealerships to implement and bring their solutions to market. As they continue to scale, the team plans to grow their organization by bringing on new talent to deepen their expertise.
With new technologies being developed and about 11 patents filed and pending approval, the team is focused on making their solutions licensable. “The approach we’re taking is to work primarily as an OEM supplier and license the GravityDrive product to larger manufacturers,” Fisher adds. “This strategy removes barriers for consumers while generating a stable revenue stream.”
As the GravitySlide team grows, they’re paving the way for a new era of effortless, eco-friendly RV adventures.
Ready to bring your own transportation or mobility innovations to market? Connect with us to find out how we can help accelerate your journey.
