We are a proud partner of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), a collaborative initiative supported by Ontario Centres of Innovation (OCI), Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and the Ministry of Transportation.
Driving future innovation
OVIN is bridging Ontario's automotive and technology industry strengths to shape and drive the future of its automotive and mobility sector. OVIN capitalizes on the economic potential of automotive technologies and smart mobility solutions, such as connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs), and enables the province's transportation and infrastructure networks to plan for and adapt to this evolution.
Through resources, such as research and development funding, talent development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-based C/AV companies, allowing Ontario to reinforce its position as a North American leader in transformative automotive technologies, as well as transportation and infrastructure systems.
Regional Technology Development Site
The WindsorEssex Regional Technology Development Site (WE RTDS) is one of seven RTDS sites in Ontario, funded by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) and the Ontario Center for Innovation (OCI). The WE RTDS provides free programs and services to companies working in automobility. The services range from products and software, to assistance with R&D, business development and mentorship.
The WE RTDS site specializes in advanced simulation, virtual reality and automotive cybersecurity.
The WE RTDS has three programs available for Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises. The programs are offered in collaboration with partners from the public and private sectors:
Three pillars program offered
Innovation Corridor
This program includes several activities to allow companies to test, simulate, and validate technologies for connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AV) using the Invest WindsorEssex Virtual Reality(VR) CAVE and a compendium of virtual test tracks. If you are an Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises in the C/AV sector you should apply. This program can help commercialize a new product or process, validate a new piece of technology or support your sales efforts by providing demonstrations to your customers.
Programs include:
| Manufacturing (CAV/EV) Digital Twinning |
| This program allows you to virtually model your product or process. It helps in the prototyping and design processes. It can also help you with predicting maintenance patterns. The program is open to Ontario-based small and medium-size enterprises working with C/AV technologies. This project will cut your R&D, prototyping and production costs. |
| University Ave. Digital Twinning |
| This program allows you to test your product in a virtual adaptation of a physical corridor spanning from the Ambassador Bridge to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. The program helps in the testing phases in your product development. The program is open to Ontario-based start-ups and small and medium-size enterprises working on C/AV and EV technology. This program will provide you a physics-based testing area that accurately simulates real world conditions. |
| Area X.0 Digital Twinning |
| This program provides you access to a virtual adaptation of the premier C/AV test track located in Ottawa, Ontario. The program helps with the testing phases in your product development. The program is open to Ontario-based start-ups and small and medium-size enterprises working on C/AV and EV technology. The program provides you a physics-based testing area that accurately simulates real world conditions. |
| Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Digital Twinning |
| This program allows you to test your product in the first-ever cross-border simulated environment. The program helps in the testing phases in your product development. The program is open to Ontario-based start-ups and small and medium-size enterprises working on C/AV and EV technology. This program will provide you a physics-based testing area that accurately simulates real world conditions. |
| Prototype Pipeline |
| This program is intended for start-ups, entrepreneurs and students. The program will empower you to develop an automobility-based product, through mentorship and access to advanced technology. This program is an automobility accelerator, and once your product is developed you will have access to the other RTDS programs and resources. |
| Windsor-Essex VR CAVE |
| Canada’s largest publicly accessible VR CAVE is available for participant use. You can use the VR CAVE for simulation-based testing and digitally adapting your product. The VR CAVE comes with specialized software and hardware for testing and can be accessed remotely. The VR CAVE is open to Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises working on automobility technology. The VR CAVE will reduce prototyping and testing costs as well as speed up the timeline of your product development. |
| Ontario Conversion Package |
| The Ontario Conversion Package is available for companies looking to expand or move their business into Ontario. The program will provide you with resources such as incorporation and legal packages, to help ease your transition into the Ontario market. |
RTDS Collaboration
Collaboration between RTDS sites will ensure that participants have access to the resources necessary for the development of your products and business. The Windsor-Essex RTDS has created programs that allow you to collaborate with other RTDS sites and access our technology remotely. This program provides collaboration-based services, including technology and software, providing you access to products and services remotely. This includes access to Canada’s largest publicly accessible VR CAVE and simulation software. If you are an Ontario-based start-up or small and medium-sized enterprise working in C/AV technology, you should apply. This program can help you commercialize a new product or process with support from multiple RTDS sites and remote access to technology.
Program includes:
| Simulation Software Packages |
| Simulation software packages utilize Ansys software for product development. The software will help you verify product performance, tackle engineering challenges and win the race to market in a quick and cost-effective manner. This program is open to Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises working on automobility technology. This program is intended to reduce costs and speed up your product development timeline. |
Cybersecurity
This program includes two activities. One to allow companies to test the security of their product and the other to help companies develop automotive cybersecurity products. If you are an Ontario-based small and medium-size enterprise or start-up working on an automotive cybersecurity product you should apply. The activities under this program will ensure your customers have access to a secured product and will provide your team with R&D resources typically only available to research institutes and large companies.
Programs include:
| Automotive Penetration Testing |
| This program will test the security of your automotive cybersecurity products. The program is being led by one of Canada’s leading cybersecurity institutes and will provide mentorship as well as testing. You may be required to provide some equipment for this program. In order to qualify for this program, you should be an Ontario-based small and medium-size enterprise developing automotive cybersecurity technology. This program is intended to ensure you product can launch securely. |
| Automotive Threat Library |
| This program provides you with an expansive threat library, teaching you how to utilize the library and how to contribute to the treat library. In order to qualify for this program, you should be an Ontario-based small and medium-size enterprise developing automotive cybersecurity technology. This program is intended to ensure your product can launch securely. |