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Here's what makes the Waterloo autotech ecosystem unique (with video)

A new video about the unique value Waterloo provides to automotive companies interested in growth and innovation.

Our new cluster map captures 80+ autotech businesses, including global OEMs, suppliers and a collection of very exciting startups.

What is driving the growth of this unique ecosystem?

Watch our new video to find out.

Automotive innovation in action

That video covered a lot – here is the proof to back it all up.

“…Waterloo has a complete concept-to-commercialization ecosystem that can put your company in overdrive…”

One thing that sets Waterloo apart is the breadth and depth of its autotech community. When we say “complete concept-to-commercialization ecosystem” what we mean is that we have the talent and resources necessary to create entirely new ideas, develop those ideas into viable products and deliver them to markets across the world. This is due to our impressive research assets, the network of support organizations that exist to help startups and enterprise businesses innovate and the commercialization hubs that make it possible to prototype a product quickly.

“…home to OEM giants like Toyota and Ford, and a large community of autotech companies, Waterloo is creating a smarter, safer, and more connected future.”

In May 2018, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada announced a $1.4 billion investment in its manufacturing operation in Waterloo, as well as increased research and development. We’re also home to automotive R&D hubs for Google, BlackBerry and Ford. In total, our community has 80+ autotech companies working on connected and autonomous vehicles, clean technology and security. Our new Autotech Cluster Map – free to download! – provides the full business listing.

“Our community’s unique combination of research centres, automotive manufacturers and technology companies makes us a North American leader in autonomous vehicle technology, material design, artificial intelligence and more.”

AutoTech and Map Postcard_Page_2

As this map demonstrates, Waterloo is right in the middle of the action when it comes to both automotive and technology industries. This is the only corridor in North America with overlapping automotive and tech clusters, and that’s without mentioning that it’s also in the midst of Canada’s largest manufacturing corridor. Canada-based companies also have free trade access to countries representing more than 60% of the world’s GDP, including the United States of America, Japan and the entire European Union. This means we have the critical mass to innovate new technologies, apply them to the automotive sector, manufacture them at scale and deliver them to a global market.

“The University of Waterloo is home to Canada’s largest university-based automotive research centre and globally-recognized programs in artificial intelligence, engineering and computer science.”

There are 125 faculty members working on projects in the automotive space at the University of Waterloo under the auspices of the Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR). Adding graduate researchers and others working on automotive-specific applications, that number goes up to 415. They’re working on autonomous vehicles, additive manufacturing and light-weighting, clean technologies and more.

The University of Waterloo is also home to one of North America’s top AI institutes, Canada’s #1 Computer Science program, Canada’s largest engineering school, and the world’s largest co-operative education program.

Oh, and the school has a very long history of collaborating with businesses to create new products.

“Want to be on the cutting-edge of automotive technology?”

That’s the question you have to ask. We’re committed to automotive innovation. We have the resources, the research assets, the talent, the business community and, most importantly, the drive to push the limits of technological applications to the automotive sector.

Want to learn more about how our ecosystem can help your business grow?

Join us in Waterloo – there’s room here for your success. Contact Gavin FitzPatrick.