Moderation Team
Summary: Aurrigo is launching a significant all-weather autonomous transit initiative in North America with a nine-seater Auto-Shuttle® serving eight stops in Kanata North Technology Park. This Level 4 electric shuttle is engineered to operate safely in harsh Canadian weather. The trial aims to accelerate autonomous vehicle adoption and gather insights for future airport shuttle solutions. It includes testing electric vehicle performance, safety frameworks, and inclusive design features, such as an ASL avatar for deaf riders. The project builds on past autonomous trials and is supported by local leaders as a means of driving innovation and benefiting the community.
The initiative marks a major step forward in all-weather autonomous transit, expanding Aurrigo’s operations into North America.
Connecting Communities in Kanata North
In partnership with the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA) and Invest Ottawa’s Area X.O, the nine-seater Auto-Shuttle® will serve eight designated stops across Kanata North Technology Park. The 4.5km route connects businesses, restaurants, community spaces, and public transit.
Engineered for All-Weather Operation
The Level 4 electric shuttle is designed for Canada’s harsh conditions, operating safely in snow, ice, rain, wind, and even during falling leaves. Following rigorous testing at Area X.O, the shuttle will move onto public roads in mixed traffic at medium speeds.
Advancing Autonomous Vehicle Technology
David Keene MBE, CEO of Aurrigo, emphasised that the trial will accelerate autonomous vehicle adoption in Canada and beyond. Lessons learned will also support the development of Aurrigo’s autonomous airport shuttle solutions worldwide.
A Testbed for Safety, Inclusivity, and Innovation
The Ottawa trial will explore:
- Performance of electric and autonomous vehicles in four-season conditions
- Development of municipal safety frameworks
- Inclusive design features, including Deaf.AI’s ASL avatar for deaf and hard-of-hearing riders
- Policy recommendations for future AV regulations
Building on Past Trials in Ottawa
This project builds on earlier low-speed autonomous pod and shuttle trials conducted in 2019 and 2021, evolving into a higher-speed, higher-capacity commercial vehicle trial.
Local leaders praised the initiative. Kelly Daize of KNBA highlighted its role in driving innovation, while Sonya Shorey of Invest Ottawa noted that Area X.O provides a world-class testbed for safe, market-ready technologies that deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits.
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