Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN)

Catalyzing the growth of a vibrant and diversified automotive and transportation technology ecosystem in Ontario

The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) builds upon the successful early entry of Ontario into the connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) space. AVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario and allows it to reinforce its position as a North American leader in transformative automotive technologies, as well as transportation and infrastructure systems.

This initiative capitalizes on the economic potential of C/AV and is expected to help the province's transportation systems and infrastructure plan for and adapt to this emerging technology.

AVIN is comprised of four distinct programs and a Central Hub.

AREAS OF FOCUS

AVIN programs focus on supporting the development and demonstration of C/AV technologies, including infrastructure, related to: commercially ready technologies for application in mass light-vehicles (e.g., cars and trucks, vans), heavy duty vehicles (including commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, RVs and others used for goods movement), transportation infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems ("ITS") and transit-supportive systems and vehicles in Ontario.

AVIN has five main objectives:

Commercialize C/AV and transportation and infrastructure system technologies;
Build awareness, educate and promote Ontario as a leader;
Encourage innovation and collaboration;
Leverage Ontario talent; and,
Support regional auto-brainbelt clusters.

AVIN is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science (MRIS), the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG) and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) through OCE.

AVIN is comprised of four distinct programs and a Central Hub.

CENTRAL HUB

A dedicated team that supports delivery and administration of AVIN programming, and also provides the following key functions:

Connect & Coordinate – a focal point to help coordinate among industry, academia, research organizations and governments, and connect interested stakeholders and members of the public;
Opportunity Identification – knowledge translation, research, data/information and trend analysis, acting as a bridge between technology and policy; and,
Awareness & Education – promote AVIN programs and Ontario’s AV testing pilot, build awareness of Ontario’s growing C/AV community.

AVIN: Connected, Autonomous, Transportation, Infrastructure

AVIN-Ontario English-Vertical

AVIN Programs

Select a program below to continue.

AV Research and Development (R&D)
Partnership Fund

More program information

Program Overview

As a pillar of the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN), the AV R&D Partnership Fund will support projects related to the development and demonstration of technologies in the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) sector, in the following Priority Areas:

Mass light vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks and vans)
Heavy duty vehicles (including commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles (RVs), and others used for goods movement)
Transportation infrastructure
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Transit-supportive systems and vehicles.

The AV R&D Partnership Fund may support approved projects with up to $100,000 over a maximum of 12 months for Stream 1 and $1,000,000 over a maximum of 24 months for Stream 2. All funds must be matched by a minimum 1:1 cash from Applicants and/or Partners.

Benefits of the fund include:

For society:

Increased road safety
Better road condition monitoring
Better collection and analysis of transportation-related information
Innovative new products and services to reduce driver distraction
Reduced environmental and carbon footprint

For eligible project Applicants and Partners:

Relationships with researchers to extend company R&D
Marketable solutions to current challenges
Public/private partnerships
Commercialization of Ontario-made technologies
Demonstration of Ontario-made technologies to potential customers

Eligible Partners are:

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
National and Multi-National Enterprises (NEs and MNEs)
Publicly-funded Post-Secondary Academic Institutions
Municipalities
Indigenous Communities
Not-For-Profit Organizations

Eligible projects require a minimum of two organizations:

Generally, an SME – the Applicant – works with a Primary Partner
Additional partners - Secondary Partners – can be any eligible organization and part of the team for strategic and commercial reasons
Please note: Exceptions for each stream are listed on the Stream description page

Note: An SME is generally defined as having fewer than 500 full-time employees.

More info on Stream 1

More info on Stream 2

Talent Development

More program information

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
OBJECTIVES
HOW FUNDING WORKS
ELIGIBILITY
HOW TO APPLY

Program Overview

The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network Talent Development (TalentEdge) stream provides students and recent graduates from Ontario colleges and universities with real-world industry experience, by applying their expertise, leading-edge knowledge and tools to solve industry problems related to Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies. Interns and fellows will work at Ontario-based companies or academic institutions and receive on-the-job training in areas such as software and hardware development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

More info on Talent Development

Objectives

The objectives of the Talent Development program are to:

Help students and recent graduates bridge the gap between Ontario’s publicly-funded post-secondary institutions and industry by providing hands-on experience with companies
Improve companies’ competitiveness by attracting top talent and tapping into world-class R&D to strengthen capacity to develop new products, services, and processes
Facilitate the transfer of knowledge and emerging technologies from publicly-funded post-secondary institutions to the C/AV sector.
Identify, attract and retain Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) with skills in Ontario

How Funding Works

Internships and fellowships can be based at a company or a post-secondary institution. The amount of time spent with the company, as well as the most appropriate location for the interaction, should be mutually determined and depend on the nature and needs of the project. If internships or fellowships are based at a post-secondary institution, interns/fellows are required to spend a significant portion of their time on-site or in the field with the company.

More information on funding

Eligibility

More information on eligibility

How To Apply

Demonstration Zone

More program information

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
OBJECTIVES
HOW FUNDING WORKS
ELIGIBILITY
HOW TO APPLY

Program Overview

The Demonstration Zone, located in Stratford, Ontario, is a site where technologies may be tested, validated and showcased in live scenarios in accordance with applicable laws and regulations using vehicle platforms such as city buses, fleet vehicles, and OEM vehicles. The Automotive Parts Manufacturer's Association (APMA) will operate the Demonstration Zone on behalf of AVIN. The Demonstration Zone aims to position Ontario as a globally-recognized C/AV and infrastructure jurisdiction.

The Demonstration Zone will promote a customer-centered approach to the commercialization of innovation in Ontario and Canada and will provide Ontario-based companies with a competitive development option.These activities will also strengthen Canada as a solid region for foreign investment opportunities.

Initial passenger vehicles at the AVIN Demonstration Zone will be showcasing connected vehicle and infrastructure technologies. Later, vehicles at the AVIN Demonstration Zone will have autonomous driving features and capabilities to showcase various types of technologies.

In addition to the vehicle fleet, the AVIN Demonstration Zone will leverage Stratford’s existing connected infrastructure comprised of ubiquitous Wi-Fi that covers the city’s entire 12-square kilometers that is reinforced by a high-speed broadband network and LTE.