FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canada’s First All-Season, Medium-Speed Autonomous Shuttle Takes Centre Stage at ITS Canada 2025
Ottawa, ON – Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – 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 riders—including those with disabilities—through inclusive-mobility solutions. Moderated by the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), the panel will explore lessons learned from earlier low-speed shuttle trials, emerging safety frameworks, and inclusive-design strategies shaping Canada’s intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
Titled “Four-Season Testing and Deployment of a Medium-Speed Automated Shuttle in Canada’s Largest Tech Park,” the panel takes place Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre. It builds on low-speed shuttle trials run in Ottawa in 2019 and 2021, advancing the field with a Level 4 autonomous Ford e-Transit provided by Aurrigo.
The vehicle—outfitted for Canadian weather—will first undergo rigorous testing at Area X.O, Ottawa’s all-weather R&D complex operated by Invest Ottawa, before its deployment on public roads in Kanata North Technology Park. Testing covers snow, ice, wind, rain, and falling leaves to mirror the full range of Canadian operating conditions.
“This project represents a major milestone—moving to a modified commercial vehicle that operates at higher speeds in all four seasons, offering a real path to smart, safe, inclusive last-mile transportation,” said Kelly Daize, Executive Director of KNBA and panel moderator. “We’re proud to work with 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 (Invest Ottawa)
Together, they will discuss:
- Developing a safety framework and municipal deployment strategy
- Year-round testing methodologies for autonomous systems
- Adapting the vehicle 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 prioritizes the rider experience for people of all abilities,” said Mehdi Masoumi, Founder of Deaf AI. “Our inclusive-communication solution ensures Deaf and hard-of-hearing Canadians can fully participate in the future of autonomous transportation.”
“This collaboration lets us rigorously test AV technologies in real-world Canadian conditions, giving federal and municipal partners the data they need on safety, performance, and policy,” added Dr. Noah Ray of Area X.O. “It’s proof of what’s possible when innovation, infrastructure, and inclusion align.”
“We’re excited to bring our autonomous shuttle to Canada,” said Dana Borschewski, Regional VP Americas at Aurrigo. “Building on our earlier work with the Auto-Pod, this pilot showcases our winter-ready tech and advances safer, more inclusive, and greener transportation for everyone.”
Learn more about the panel session and ITS Canada 2025:
www.itscanada2025.ca/event
For details on 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—visit www.kanatanorthba.com.
KNBA thanks its ERSTPP partners: Area X.O (Invest Ottawa), Aurrigo, Brookstreet Hotel, City of Ottawa, Deaf AI, EcoSafeSense, Solink, Wesley Clover, uOttawa, Zendelity, and others.
Media inquiries:
Tracey Godin, KNBA – tracey.godin@kanatanorthba.com
