At the forefront of Canada’s autonomous mobility transformation, a cross-sector coalition of innovators will convene at ITS Canada 2025 to spotlight the country’s first medium-speed automated commercial shuttle trial with four-season operation on public roads, designed to serve all, including those with disabilities, through inclusive mobility solutions. Moderated by the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), the panel will explore lessons learned from previous work and testing on low-speed autonomous shuttle trials, safety frameworks, and inclusive design strategies that are shaping the future of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) across the nation.

Titled “Four seasons Testing and Deployment of a Medium Speed Automated Shuttle in Canada’s Largest Tech Park” the panel discussion will take place Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre. It builds on low-speed autonomous shuttle trials conducted in Ottawa in 2019 and 2021, advancing the field with a Level 4 autonomous Ford e-Transit vehicle provided by Aurrigo.

The vehicle, outfitted for Canadian weather conditions, will initially undergo rigorous testing at Area X.O, Ottawa’s all-weather R&D complex operated by Invest Ottawa before its deployment on public roads within Kanata North Technology Park, Canada’s largest tech hub. Testing spans snow, ice, wind, rain, and falling leaves to reflect the full range of operational challenges faced by Canadian municipalities.

“This project represents a major milestone, moving to a modified commercial vehicle that will operate at higher speeds in all four seasons, providing a real opportunity for smart, safe, inclusive last-mile transportation solutions,” said Kelly Daize, Executive Director of KNBA and panel moderator. “We are proud to work alongside industry leaders and government to set the standard for real-world AV deployment in Canada.”

The panel will feature:
Kelly Daize, Executive Director, Kanata North Business Association (Moderator)
Dana Borschewski, Regional VP Americas, Aurrigo
Mehdi Masoumi, Founder, Deaf.AI
Dr. Noah Ray, Mechanical Engineer, Area X.O operated by Invest Ottawa
Together, they will discuss:
• Development of a safety framework and municipal deployment strategy
• Year-round testing methodologies for autonomous systems
• Vehicle adaptation for higher-speed, mixed-traffic, public road operations
• Policy insights for Transport Canada and future AV regulation
• Inclusive design, including Deaf AI’s visual communication system and ASL avatar for hard-of-hearing riders
“This project not only pushes technological boundaries but also prioritizes the rider experience for people of all abilities,” said Mehdi Masoumi, Founder of Deaf AI. “We are proud to contribute an inclusive communication solution that ensures Deaf and hard-of-hearing Canadians can participate fully in the future of autonomous transportation. Our collaboration reflects the spirit of the Accessible Canada Act and moves us closer to a barrier-free society.”
“This collaborative project enables us to rigorously test AV technologies in real-world Canadian conditions, providing federal government and municipalities with critical insights to inform safety, performance, and policy,” said Dr. Noah Ray, from Area X.O. “It’s a testament to what’s possible when innovation, infrastructure, and inclusion come together.”

“We’re proud to bring our cutting-edge autonomous shuttle to Canada,” said Dana Borschewski, Regional VP Americas at Aurrigo. “Building on our earlier work with the smaller Auto-Pod, this pilot is an exciting opportunity to showcase our winter-ready technology and support thee advancement of safer, more inclusive, and environmentally friendly transportation for everyone.”

To learn more about the panel session and ITS Canada 2025, visit:
www.itscanada2025.ca/event

To learn more about the Enhanced Road Safety Transfer Payment Program project; Smart Mobility Solution: Testing and Deployment of a Medium-speed Autonomous Shuttle in Canada’s Largest Tech Park, please visit www.kanatanorthba.com.

KNBA would like to take this opportunity to thank our ERSTPP partners; Area X.O operated by Invest Ottawa, Aurrigo, Brookstreet Hotel, EcoSafeSense, City of Ottawa, Deaf AI, Solink, Wesley Clover, uOttawa, Zendelity and others.