Aurrigo International has launched its Auto-Shuttle Mk2 at Canada’s largest technology park. The autonomous shuttle will operate along a 4.5km route at Kanata Business Park in Ottawa, marking the debut of Canada’s first all-season, medium-speed autonomous shuttle built on a commercialized platform.
Delivered to the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), the eight-seater vehicle is fully electric and has been modified to be winter-ready. It has one wheelchair space and, in collaboration with DeafAI, features real-time American Sign Language stop announcements.
There will be eight designated stops along the route, linking businesses, restaurants, community spaces and transit connections, including Brookstreet Hotel and the University of Ottawa.
The project aims to advance road safety, accessibility and sustainability, while positioning Kanata North as a national testbed for smart mobility solutions.
“Ottawa has always been an innovator when it comes to autonomous mobility and our relationship with this city dates back to 2019, when we delivered a project with our smaller four-seater Auto-Pods,” explained Tenille Houston, vice president public relations and communications at Aurrigo International.
“This latest pilot with Kanata North Business Association is a vitally important step in demonstrating how autonomous shuttles can deliver safe, reliable and inclusive transport in all seasons. The insights we gain here will be carried forward into other complex environments – including aviation – where moving people and goods efficiently and sustainably is essential.”
Following initial testing, Auto-Shuttle Mk2 will begin service on public roads, operating in mixed traffic at medium speeds. Throughout the project, as the weather shifts to freezing rain and snow, the shuttle will go back to Area XO for testing and validation.
The winter-ready, Level 4 electric and autonomous shuttle has been engineered and modified from the firm’s Canadian office for the first time and will operate in challenging Canadian conditions, including snow, ice, rain, wind and falling leaves.
Kelly Daize, Kanata North Business Association, added, “This project represents a major milestone – proving that autonomous vehicles can operate safely and inclusively in our four-season environment. We are proud to collaborate with this strong group of partners to make Kanata North a hub for the future of mobility.”
Sonya Shorey, president and CEO of Invest Ottawa, said, “We are honored to serve as the private R&D test partner for this medium-speed shuttle project led by Kanata North Business Association and Aurrigo. We are facilitating eight weeks of rigorous shuttle testing, and this work will be vital in preparing the vehicle for on-road deployment in Canada’s largest tech park.”
In related news, Autonomous shuttles roll out in Berlin