OVIN and the TTC to Pilot New Made-in-Ontario Transit Technologies

The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is partnering with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to pilot innovative transit solutions that could improve safety, reliability, and customer experience. As part of the latest expansion of the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones, Ontario companies will have the opportunity to pilot their technologies directly within the TTC network. 

This partnership unlocks new opportunities for southern Ontario companies to integrate technologies in real-world transit environments, including buses, stations, and supporting infrastructure. Companies will receive up to $100,000 to pilot a series of use cases that showcase how Ontario-made technologies can address critical urban mobility challenges. 

A part of the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones program, which was launched in February 2024 with an $8-million investment from the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario, this expansion builds on a shared commitment to accelerate the commercialization of automotive and mobility technologies in southern Ontario.

“By investing in real-world testing environments like the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones, our government is helping Ontario companies turn bold ideas into market-ready solutions," said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). "This partnership with the TTC is an example of how the Government of Canada is supporting the acceleration of innovation in urban mobility, contributing to stronger domestic supply chains and helping create the conditions to enable our businesses to demonstrate their innovative technologies and grow globally.”

By anchoring these pilots within Canada’s largest transit system, the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones will play a key role in the TTC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen operations and improve the rider experience. These pilots will also connect the TTC with local, homegrown Ontario companies with made-in-Ontario solutions, creating opportunities for these companies to bring their technologies to market, enter domestic supply chains in Ontario and Canada, and provide them with a leg up as they look to scale into global markets. 

“OVIN is giving Ontario businesses the tools they need to scale, compete, and win in the global mobility market,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Partnering with the TTC, these companies can test their technologies in real-world transit environments and connect with new customers. Our government is supporting entrepreneurs as they solve key transportation challenges and drive economic growth.”

“Ontario companies are taking on the most pressing transportation challenges in Canada’s largest city to eliminate gridlock and get our economy moving,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “By refining and integrating advanced technologies into TTC operations, the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones aim to enhance public transit safety, efficiency, and accessibility for millions of daily commuters, while building a launchpad for our local companies to enter into domestic supply chains and global markets.” 

“The City of Toronto is the largest technology hub in Canada, and one of the largest worldwide. Creating another OVIN Technology Pilot Zone in Toronto is yet another way we can ensure this is a city where innovation thrives,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. 

Since its inception, OVIN Technology Pilot Zones has supplied real-world scenarios that have provided a launch pad for over 40 SMEs as they pilot and commercialize more than 40 new technologies, predominantly within the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), connected and automated vehicle (CAV), and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) areas. With the addition of TTC to a growing list of OVIN Technology Pilot Zone partners, such as the City of Toronto and Federal Bridge Corporation’s Blue Water Bridge, OVIN is providing local, homegrown companies with the opportunity to enhance their technologies before entering the market, while showcasing to potential customers their solutions, both domestically and internationally. 

“Through OVIN, we’re driving innovation that transforms how people move, connect, and live,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “This partnership with the TTC enables Ontario companies the opportunity to pilot their technologies in one of the most complex transit systems in North America.”

For more information on eligibility requirements and application intakes, visit ovinhub.ca.