Perspective
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Ahead of The Curve Hamilton has a Plan to Revolutionize Autonomous vehicles
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he Centre for Integrated Transportation & Mobility (CITM) in Hamilton is advancing real-world research, development, validation, and commercialization of next generation smart mobility solutions. CITM is an integral part of regional accelerator Innovation Factory and located at the McMaster Innovation Park (MIP). It is one of seven regional technology development sites in the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) that supports start-ups, scale-ups and companies looking to develop smart mobility and electrified vehicle technologies. CITM offers innovators a multi-site test network that includes private and public roadways, 4G and 5G networks, hardware and software integration, compute-at-the-edge capability, and a data repository that features rich datasets collected from in-vehicle and roadside sensors. This technical resource is available for companies looking to validate technologies within autonomous, connected, and electric vehicles and the infrastructure to support them. “That real-world testing isn’t found everywhere. We offer real streets, with real people and real vehicles,” said Richard Dunda, Director of CITM. “At some point, you have to leave the lab and our testing environments allow for that. We collect anonymized data – about traffic patterns, speed, pedestrians, road and weather conditions and aggregate it. This helps companies using AI and machine learning to build software like collision avoidance systems, traffic management systems and other safety solutions. Having good data is what helps make AI and machine learning systems smarter.” One test site consisting of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and devices is found on a long stretch of street on Hamilton’s east Mountain, thanks to a partnership with the City of Hamilton, and another is within MIP. Additional test environments are in development with CITM partners and will further support product and solution testing across a greater variety of use-cases. CITM also helps entrepreneurs pursue market and funding opportunities, manage their technical, business, and growth challenges, access valuable training, and connect with expert advisors and mentors.
Underpinning everything is a skilled workforce in the Hamilton region, and the talent generation and applied research power of McMaster University and Mohawk College, notes Dunda. CITM facilitates research collaborations, coop and work placements and supports students starting companies at The Forge. Hamilton is home to a number of key research facilities working in the realm of electric, connected and autonomous vehicles, including the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre, the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics, the Centre for Automotive Materials and Corrosion, the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, and CanmetMATERIALS. All of this activity also aligns with the City’s Goods Movement focus sector. Major automotive suppliers, including ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Tiercon and Stackpole, are also located in Hamilton. The city’s multi-modal transportation network is also crucial to the work of CITM, says Dunda. It is helping the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority maximize the potential of a test facility on its property to optimize traffic flow and efficiency. It’s also in conversations with the Hamilton International Airport about an autonomous system for cargo movement. There is a growing list of success stories among CITM clients. Iris, which develops automated systems to monitor road infrastructure and report problems, was recently named the winner of InfraChallenge, a global infrastructure competition, received a 2021 Excellence in Innovation and Technology award, and has implemented multiple smart city technology projects with municipalities throughout Ontario. It was most recently named Best-in-Class CleanTech for Transportation by the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association. Gatik is working with major retailers, including Walmart and Loblaw Companies, to develop autonomous trucks that run between distribution centres and stores using short, predictable, non-complicated routes. Axcessiom Technologies is working on a flagship platform that allows people with disabilities to operate vehicles safely and effectively using facial gestures.
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