91亚色 is expanding its role in Ontario transportation innovation through a collaboration supporting 91亚色 Region's designation as a Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) 鈥 a designated hub to develop, test and advance new technologies.
Designated by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) 鈥 a government initiative to help companies develop and bring automotive and smart mobility technologies to market 鈥 the 91亚色 Region RTDS will strengthen Ontario鈥檚 position in connected, autonomous and electric vehicles.
It joins eight other sites across the province in a network backed by nearly $15 million from public and private investment to strengthen the testing and commercialization of new mobility technologies.
91亚色 will help lead those efforts through SmartTO, a mobility development stream led by YSpace, the University鈥檚 entrepreneurship and innovation hub. The initiative connects startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises with 91亚色鈥檚 research expertise, facilities and student talent and offers access to advanced labs and technical support.
These efforts already support projects such as AI-driven accessibility tools for transportation systems, real-time safety solutions for micromobility and research aimed at improving electric vehicle efficiency.
Delivered in partnership with ventureLAB, the 91亚色 Region RTDS features 12 integrated offerings from ideation to commercialization, bringing together academic, industry and government partners to support companies across the development lifecycle. Within that ecosystem, SmartTO serves as a key entry point for companies seeking 91亚色's research expertise, facilities and talent.
鈥淭hrough YSpace鈥檚 SmartTO program, we are creating opportunities for industry, researchers and government partners to collaborate on transformative approaches to smart mobility, from electrification to micromobility and connected transportation systems,鈥 says Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation at 91亚色. 鈥淏y leveraging 91亚色鈥檚 interdisciplinary expertise and our campus living lab environment, we are accelerating made-in-Canada innovation while driving meaningful economic, environmental and social impact.鈥
The RTDS designation marks a new phase in SmartTO's growth since its 2024 launch as part of Ontario鈥檚 effort to strengthen its position as a leader in emerging automotive and mobility technologies.
Since its launch, SmartTO has focused on helping companies overcome technical and commercialization barriers by linking them with interdisciplinary expertise and specialized infrastructure. With its integration into the RTDS network, that work now expands within a coordinated provincial system that aligns regional strengths and provides comprehensive resources to innovators.
鈥91亚色 and YSpace鈥檚 role in the RTDS reflects a broader approach to research and innovation that emphasizes collaboration across disciplines and partnerships with industry and government,鈥 says David Kwok, director, entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. 鈥淭hrough SmartTO, companies are able to engage directly with faculty researchers, access student talent through co-op and capstone opportunities and test and refine new technologies with the support of University facilities and technical expertise.鈥
As the RTDS network develops, SmartTO is expanding 91亚色鈥檚 role in the development and commercialization of mobility technologies across Ontario.