Perspective
TM
GM Canadian Technical Centre – Markham Campus
Markham: Powering next-generation auto innovation M
arkham, a dynamic, diverse and fast-growing city in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, is home to powerful cluster of automotive innovation that is bringing the future to life. Combining excellence as Canada’s second-largest technology hub with the presence of a growing number of automotive leaders, Markham brings together world-class talent, a culture of research and collaboration and a reputation as a business-friendly city within a diversified and thriving economy. “Innovation is our central way of life in Markham, with one of the greatest number of patents per capita in Canada, according to the World City Council on Data. The city has a highly educated and skilled workforce in technology, automotive, life sciences, financial services, design and engineering, science, and information and cultural sectors,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. The city is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment, with more than 240 international companies. The city’s automotive sector includes 440 businesses, employing about 6,000 people in parts manufacturing, distribution, wholesaling and dealership, and innovation. Prominent automotive employers include Honda Canada, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Tesla, Multimatic, Magna Pullmatic, Weins Canada, NOVO Plastic, Murata Power Solutions, Mobis, Veoneer, NGK, and Racetronix. On the innovation front, major auto manufacturers are leveraging Markham’s technology infrastructure and ecosystem to produce cutting-edge advances in
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Negin Lashkari, autonomous vehicle systems lead at GM’s CTC Markham Campus, works on a Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging), which is one of the essential sensors for autonomous vehicle perception.
electric vehicles, next-generation self-driving cars, sustainable batteries, green energy, and advanced manufacturing. Local innovation leaders include GM Canada, Qualcomm and Bluewrist. And the city’s new employment district Markham Innovation Exchange (also called MiX), which connects knowledge to production by attracting high-tech collaborators and manufacturers devoted to future growth, will provide exciting growth opportunities for Markham’s advanced auto industry. MiX’s expansive size (1,920 acres), scope and location in the core of Canada’s biggest economic region makes it unlike any other industrial park in the country.
GM’s Canadian Technical Centre The Canadian Technical Centre is General Motors’ second largest automotive software engineering and development cluster in North America. Its engineers and software developers in Markham are focused on automated driving, electrification, next-generation infotainment systems, and new technologies for mobility solutions. “We saw a clear path to innovation and execution in Markham,” says Ted Graham, head of open innovation at GM Canada. In his role, Graham works with start-ups, universities, incubators, and accelerators to further the future of mobility. There is a rich ecosystem in Markham to draw from, he says, and there is ready access to high-quality engineering and software development experts. Nearly 700 employees belong to the CTC Markham campus, a 150,000-square-foot site that features state-of-the-art labs and innovation spaces. Key projects in Markham include software development for BrightDrop, GM’s technology startup helping decarbonize last-mile deliveries, as well as hands-free driver assistance systems like Super Cruise and active safety features like Lane Keep Assist, which is tested on the CTC McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track in nearby Oshawa. “The future is zero crashes, zero congestion and zero emissions,” said Graham. “That future is closer than many people think.” More at https://www.gm.ca/en/home.html
