ASPHALTopics | Summer 2014 | VOL 27 | NO3

“This project tells the Ontario story in its entirety
with a Lexus that was built in the province and
technology by Ontario companies.” Flavio Volpe
Given Ontario’s proficiency in the Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) sector, as well as
in automotive parts and vehicle manufacturing, the
province is well positioned to be a world leader in the
AV space. In June, an all-Canadian connected car was
unveiled at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
of Canada (APMA) annual conference in Windsor. The
APMA Connected Vehicle Working Group is a partnership
between the Association and Ontario Centres of
Excellence, and showcases connected vehicle technologies
developed by 13 Canadian companies. The vehicle is a
2014 Lexus RX 350, which was donated by Toyota Canada.
The cross-sector collaboration has produced a vehicle
that has hand gesture recognition technology; an alcohol
testing device; a controlled ambient lighting system;
a wireless charging system for smart devices; and a
platform that delivers environmental data to drivers in
real-time. The project demonstrates the expertise of
Canadian companies in a number of disciplines – computing
software and hardware, communications technologies and
the auto sector – and the business opportunities that can
be gained by being at the forefront of the AV market.
“This project tells the Ontario story in its entirety, with
a Lexus that was built in the province and technology
by Ontario companies,” says Flavio Volpe, President
of APMA. “It is the first time that these technologies
have been integrated in such a manner and the project
demonstrates this country’s collective capabilities in
developing leading edge technologies for connected
vehicles.”
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