We are thrilled to share with you the most recent announcements and developments in the Windsor-Essex region for the month of June. See below to read our top highlights.
Windsor-Essex “Canada’s Automobility Capital” exhibits at one of world’s biggest tech conferences
Invest WindsorEssex (IWE), the City of Windsor, the County of Essex, University of Windsor, St. Clair College, WEtech Alliance and Workforce WindsorEssex partnered to showcase the Windsor-Essex region on a global stage at the Collision conference in Toronto.
The conference provided a platform for an array of companies, organizations and thought leaders to meet under one roof to connect and share insights with tech professionals and analysts representing companies from around the world. The Windsor-Essex team experienced the latest technologies and innovative platforms from global tech leaders, suppliers and high potential start-ups showcasing cutting-edge and industry-shaping advancements. Key themes of the event included artificial intelligence, augmented reality and autonomous vehicle technologies, emphasizing their rapid development and transformative impact on various industries.
As one of seven Regional Technology Development Sites (RTDS) specializing in cross-border technology, advanced simulation, virtual reality and automotive cybersecurity, Invest WindsorEssex and partners promoted the programs and supports available to companies through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
The Windsor-Essex booth also include a talent attraction component, supported through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), with a focus on highlighting advanced career opportunities in Canada’s fastest growing economy.
The region’s strategic location at the heart of North America’s mobility and innovation corridor, great quality of life, access to global talent and rapidly growing mobility and tech sectors were shared with over 40,000 attendees, 1,500 startups and hundreds of prospective tech companies and individuals. READ MORE
TELUS investing $5 million in Windsor upgrades
TELUS has announced over $5 million in Windsor upgrades this year as part of a $24-billion investment to expand and improve the province’s network infrastructure and operations. This investment will take place over the next five years, with the goal of bridging the socioeconomic and digital divide to ensure communities have better access to stay connected and reach their potential.
Improved networking infrastructure will continue to play a critical role in the future of automobility with the continuous adoption of new and evolving technology. Having a dependable continuum of connectivity with future upgrades and advancements will not only ensure Ontario is more connected but will help raise the bar, providing businesses with network flexibility and helping them better meet performance requirements. READ MORE
$6.4 billion Gordie Howe Bridge officially connects two great nations
Canadian and American ironworkers shook hands, marking the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge main deck – now an official international crossing uniting two great nations over the Detroit River. Engineers and ironworkers worked diligently this past month to successfully complete the installation of the final two-edge girders to connect North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge. With more than 2000 days and 13-million hours invested, the $6.4-billion bridge is not expected to officially open to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians until 2025.
This once-in-a-generation undertaking will create a second link between Windsor and Detroit, providing a direct connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s I-75. This will not only deliver much-needed transportation improvements for international trade and travellers but will provide job opportunities and support future economic growth for the Windsor-Detroit region. READ MORE
Cavalier collaborates with Invest WindsorEssex on Digital Twin project
During Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Employee Appreciation Day, their team had the opportunity to take a stroll across the road to our Automobility and Innovation Centre to enjoy the unique and immersive experience of walking into a virtual plastic injection mold in the Invest WindsorEssex VR CAVE.
Bryan Holmes, software developer for the simulation team at Invest WindsorEssex worked closely with the team at Cavalier over several months to create a precise digital twin of an automobility project using the Invest WindsorEssex VR CAVE and specialized Virtualware software. With this immersive digital twin, prospective customers can vet their part design and the production process through VR headsets to optimize conditions that produce the best possible mold.
The Digital Twinning for Manufacturing program provided through the OVIN Windsor-Essex Regional Technology Development Site, allows one to model their product or process in a virtual environment. It supports the prototyping and design processes and helps with predicting maintenance patterns. The program is open to Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises working with C/AV technologies. It benefits these companies by reducing the time spent on R&D, prototyping as well as lowers production costs. LEARN MORE