Feds investing up to $5M to scale automobility innovation for Windsor manufacturers

The federal government is investing up to $5 million to grow an automobility innovation cluster in Ontario’s Windsor-Essex region focused on smart technologies and automation.

The funding announcement, made by FedDev Ontario as part of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, was made September 6, 2019.

The investment will help the manufacturing corridor transition from its reliance on traditional automotive manufacturing by boosting new opportunities in next-generation mobility innovations, smart technologies and automation. It will also support companies, including new entrepreneurs, to pursue new economic opportunities, while attracting talent and new businesses to the region.

To develop the cluster, the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (WE EDC) will partner with local organizations and businesses to advance automobility technologies – particularly connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles.

“Automobility” refers to the movement of people and goods through vast technological advancements in the automotive industry, as well as the information and communications technology, transportation and warehousing sectors.

WE EDC will partner with the University of Windsor, including the Cross-Border Institute, and several local organizations on growing the cluster through projects such as smart traffic equipment and a pilot for operation of the first bi-national autonomous shuttle.

With the cluster, WE EDC also aims to help Canadian firms better integrate with international supply chains.

As a result of this project, WE EDC is expected to support 165 companies, establish 20 new partnerships, attract $9 million in foreign direct investment, and create and maintain 665 jobs in the region.