The future of transportation is here.

Who they are: Area X.O, operated by Invest Ottawa, is Canada’s most advanced R&D complex for connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. The R&D facility is the only all-weather AV proving ground of its kind in North America, combining smart city infrastructure, telecom networks, and cybersecurity capabilities to accelerate innovation.

Their role in the project:

Area X.O will provide dedicated testing across all four seasons, ensuring the shuttle is validated for Canadian weather and road conditions before deployment. Testing will include:

• Crash avoidance and pedestrian detection (Euro NCAP-compliant)
• Cyclist and vulnerable road user scenarios
• Transversal and longitudinal VRU travel paths
• Safety case developed based on real-world conditions to be encountered
• The Area X.O facility environment will allow the shuttle to be tested in controlled, repeatable conditions, reducing risk before moving onto public roads.

Why it matters:

By leveraging Ottawa’s global leadership in telecom and cybersecurity, Area X.O provides the controlled “sandbox” where CAV technologies are proven safe and reliable. For this project, this partnership will ensure the shuttle is ready for Canada’s four-season public deployment — and generates critical insights that will inform national AV standards and municipal readiness.

Who they are: Aurrigo is a global leader in autonomous vehicle innovation, headquartered in the UK with its North American base in Kanata North. With over three decades of automotive expertise and deployments on four continents, Aurrigo designs and operates a family of autonomous passenger and cargo vehicles tailored to real-world environments.

Their Role:

Aurrigo is supplying the Auto-Shuttle® Mk2 — a nine-seater, winter-ready, Level 4 electric autonomous shuttle — for Canada’s first all-season, medium-speed shuttle trial on public roads. Covering a 4.5 km route with eight designated stops across Kanata North Technology Park.

Following rigorous four-season testing at Area X.O, the shuttle will operate in mixed traffic, validating performance in snow, ice, rain, wind, and even falling leaves. This unique real-world Canadian environment will also inform Aurrigo’s global development of autonomous airport shuttles, where reliability and safety in diverse conditions are critical.

Why it matters:

This trial builds on earlier Ottawa deployments (2019, 2021) and moves from low-speed pods to a commercial-grade autonomous vehicle with greater speed, range, and capacity. Insights will shape:

• Municipal safety frameworks for AVs
• Inclusive passenger design (e.g., Deaf.AI’s ASL/LSQ avatars)
• Policy recommendations for AV regulation in Canada

Who they are: Deaf AI is a Canadian technology company dedicated to breaking communication barriers for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Their tech-powered solutions provide real-time ASL (American Sign Language) and LSQ (Langue des signes québécoise) interpretation as well as closed captioning, ensuring equitable access to information in public life.

Their role in the project:

Deaf AI will integrate their sign language avatar system directly into the shuttle experience, providing real-time communication support for Deaf passengers. This includes critical information such as safety messages, route details, and shuttle announcements.

Why it matters:

Accessibility is central to safe and inclusive mobility. By embedding Deaf AI technology, the shuttle becomes one of the most inclusive autonomous transit pilots worldwide, demonstrating how advanced AV design can support independent mobility for Deaf riders and set a benchmark for accessible smart transportation.

Who they are: EcoSafeSense is an Ottawa-based cleantech company developing IoT sensors for healthy and safe environments. Their technology provides real-time air quality monitoring to improve comfort, safety, and operational efficiency.

Their role in the project:

EcoSafeSense will equip the shuttle with cabin air quality sensors, delivering real-time data on airflow and environmental conditions. This data not only supports passenger comfort but can also feed into shuttle systems to inform in-cabin airflow decisions and vehicle safety logic.

Why it matters:

Passenger trust in autonomous vehicles depends on comfort as well as safety. By monitoring air quality, EcoSafeSense ensures the shuttle is a healthier, safer, and more pleasant ride, while generating data that could inform future automated vehicle standards for environmental safety.

Who they are: KRP Properties is a long-standing community builder and steward of Canada’s largest technology park. As the primary real estate developer and manager in Kanata North, KRP provides the spaces, services, and infrastructure that help more than 500 companies and 33,000 employees thrive.

Their role in the project:

KRP is supporting the Kanata North Smart Shuttle by delivering the infrastructure that powers its operations, including:

• Installing on-site charging facilities for sustainable shuttle operations
• Providing dedicated shuttle stops on its property at the Stealth building (307 Legget Drive)
• Enabling reliable day-to-day integration of the shuttle into the park community

Through these contributions, KRP ensures the shuttle is connected, accessible, and sustainable for all who work and visit in Kanata North.

Who they are: Solink is a fast-growing Kanata-based scale-up specializing in video security and analytics. Trusted by major retailers, financial institutions, and enterprises worldwide, Solink’s cloud video security and analytics platform transforms existing cameras and technologies — such as POS and access control — into powerful tools for security and business intelligence.

Their role in the project:

Solink will provide and install video security technology at the shuttle parking areas, helping to monitor activity and enhance safety for passengers, staff, and the community.

Why it matters:

Safe public adoption of autonomous transit requires trust. Solink’s technology provides a visible and reliable layer of security by supporting safe operations. It also strengthens the shuttle project’s role as a model for secure, community-integrated mobility services.

Who they are

Zendelity is proudly a Kanata-based technology company transforming how organizations manage safety, compliance, and frontline operations. Its flagship platform, Command Center, digitizes inspections, standard operating procedures, and real-time reporting, ensuring the right checks are done at the right time, every time.

Their role in the project

For the Kanata North shuttle trial, Command Center will integrate with shuttle operations to provide live location reporting, digital safety inspections, and compliance monitoring. By tracking and analyzing shuttle operations in real time, Zendelity ensures that any maintenance or safety issues are identified and addressed before they affect passengers, operators, or the wider community.

Why it matters

Autonomous vehicles don’t just need to operate, they need to prove they are safe and reliable in every condition. Zendelity provides the transparent, data-driven assurance that regulators, transit partners, and the public demand. With continuous digital oversight and a clear audit trail, Zendelity delivers confidence that Canada’s first all-season, medium-speed autonomous shuttle is operating safely, compliantly, and sustainably.