Aurrigo expands autonomous shuttle line-up in Canada

Sneak Peek of Auto-Shuttle® for KNBA project (no sensors)

Coventry-based Aurrigo International plc, a global leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, is expanding its vehicle line-up into North America with the deployment of its nine-seater passenger Auto-Shuttle in Kanata, marking the start of Canada’s first all-season, medium-speed autonomous shuttle on public roads. The project, delivered with the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA) and in collaboration with Area X.O operated by Invest Ottawa, will connect eight designated stops across Kanata North Technology Park, Canada’s largest tech park.

The 4.5km route has been strategically designed to link businesses, restaurants, community spaces, and public transit, providing safe and accessible mobility for workers, residents, and visitors. The winter-ready, Level 4 electric and autonomous shuttle has been engineered to operate in challenging Canadian conditions, including snow, ice, rain, wind, and falling leaves. Following a period of rigorous testing at Area X.O, Canada’s all-weather R&D complex for next-gen technologies, the vehicle will begin service on public roads, operating in mixed traffic at medium speeds.

Aurrigo International plc’s CEO David Keene, said: “We have been working with Kanata North Business Association for over six years on how we can effectively bring autonomous vehicles to the streets of Canada. This important project accelerates this vision, and we believe we have the real-world technology in place in Auto-Shuttle that will prove driverless vehicles can operate safely and effectively in all weather conditions. In my opinion, this could be the testbed that unlocks further AV developments in North America and world-wide.”

This real-world Canadian testing environment will provide valuable insights into supporting the advancement of Aurrigo’s autonomous airport shuttle solutions, which require reliable performance across diverse weather and operational conditions. Lessons learned from Ottawa’s four-season shuttle trial will directly inform the refinement and deployment of the UK company’s vehicles in airport settings worldwide, where safety, inclusivity, and adaptability to complex environments are critical.

Practical transit solution
In addition to providing a practical transit solution, the trial will deliver key insights into: electric and autonomous vehicle performance in real-world four-season Canadian conditions; development of a municipal safety framework for autonomous vehicles; inclusive design features, including Deaf.AI’s ASL avatar and visual communication system for Deaf and hard-of-hearing riders; and policy recommendations to guide future AV regulations.

The initiative builds on earlier low-speed autonomous pod and shuttle trials conducted in Ottawa in 2019 and 2021, now advancing to a modified commercial vehicle with increased speed, capacity, and operational range. By combining cutting-edge technology, inclusive design, and urban planning foresight, this project aims to set a national benchmark for smart, safe, and sustainable autonomous transit services in Canada.

Kelly Daize, executive director of the Kanata North Business Association, said: “Kanata North is home to Canada’s largest technology park and more than 540 companies shaping the future of mobility, connectivity, and innovation. This project is building on our previous autonomous vehicle’s trials, utilising a commercial motor vehicle, initially in the secure testbed at Area X.O and then moving on public roads in the Kanata North Tech Park in Ottawa. It is not only an historic first for Canada — it is a powerful example of how industry, government, and community can come together to test real-world solutions that improve accessibility, advance safety, and create a blueprint for the future of transportation in all seasons.”

Sonya Shorey, president and CEO of Invest Ottawa, concluded: “Invest Ottawa is honoured to collaborate on this landmark project in our world-class, dual-use innovation hub. At Area X.O, our state-of-the-art all-weather R&D complex, founders, companies, regulators, and their partners can rigorously test, validate, and deploy next-generation technologies in all four seasons. This accelerates safe, market-ready innovations that deliver lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits for our citizens, our community, and our country.”

Aurrigo is holding an in-person roundtable at www.gseexpo.com International GSE Expo taking place in Las Vegas 16-18 September. Register directly by emailing or here.