Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: InDro’s View

Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: InDro’s View

Dec 8, 2025 | Defence, Defence Industrial Strategy, InDro News, Industry News, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

In a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, Canada has announced a forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS). The initiative was first revealed by Federal Defence Minister David McGuinty in September of 2025. Its goal is to boost Canada’s defence and sovereignty capabilities – while simultaneously providing a runway and budget for made-in-Canada dual-purpose technology solutions. The country will be devoting five per cent of its GDP by 2035 as part of its NATO commitment, and the DIS will determine how to most effectively spend that money.

“This is a $9.2 billion investment which will strengthen our forces…enhance our infrastructure and boost our operational readiness….Every defence dollar spent is intended to reinforce Canada’s sovereignty, advance our national security, and fuel home-grown innovation,” said The Minister during a keynote speech at GCXpo, an exhibition featuring Canada’s technology leaders, with a focus on Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

The Minister made it crystal-clear these companies will be front and centre in the forthcoming DIS, with significant spending allocated to developing dual-purpose technologies that will assist in Canada’s overall defence and sovereignty strategies. Those includes ground robotics, autonomous systems, drones, AI, cyber-security – and much more. The details of the DIS are being worked on now, but Minister McGuinty made one thing perfectly clear:

“This is what I do know, and for sure: I know that at the heart of the strategy is you. The innovators, the investors, the risk-takers, the entrepreneurs, and the startups. You’re going to help us develop the dual-use technologies that are going to shape the future of defence and security,” he said.

All of this, of course, marks an inflection point in Canadian policy. And it spells unprecedented opportunities for Canadian technology and R&D firms to assist in developing technologies that will help safeguard Canada’s future.

Above: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: Photo by Lars Hagberg. Below: The Honourable David McGuinty, Federal Minister of Defence, announces plans for the new Defence Industrial Strategy during a speech at Area X.O during the GCXpo event

David McGuinty

INDRO’S STRATEGY SUBMISSION

 

As a leading R&D company, InDro Robotics – and countless other Canadian technology firms – have a stake in how Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy takes shape. We are intimately familiar with existing government incentives and procurement processes. We know what works – and are eager to see the Federal Government implement an accessible, thoughtful and accountable strategy. As a result, we thought it prudent to prepare a submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, which is conducting a study on how best to draft and implement the DIS.

Our submission recognises, as the Honourable David McGuinty pointed out, that Canadian SMEs must be at the core of this strategy. It we want truly sovereign defence capabilities we must look to domestic solutions, Canadian intellectual property, and strengthened Canadian supply chains.

A robust Defence Industrial Strategy, we argue, must allow Canadian SMEs to grow and scale. It should ultimately increase reliance on domestic innovation, while decreasing reliance on foreign contractors. We also suggest the DIS be structured in a manner where there’s a high degree of accountability, with measurable results and reviews to ensure objectives are being achieved and flexible enough that changes can be made over time to maximise its benefits.

“Without a strategy that provides predictable procurement pathways, supports SME scale-up, and invests in dual-use innovation, the government risks falling short of its objectives,” we write in our introduction.

“Canada’s allies already pair defence spending increases with targeted industrial strategies that bring emerging technologies rapidly into service and help domestic firms compete globally,” we continue. “The DIS is an opportunity to do the same: to build sovereign capability, strengthen supply chain resilience, retain intellectual property in Canada, and enable high-growth Canadian firms to scale into world leaders.”

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

In total, we make four recommendations.

The first is to prioritise SMEs as core contributors to the Strategy.

“The DIS should explicitly identify SMEs as central to Canada’s sovereign defence and security capacity, with procurement, innovation programs, and industrial-development tools calibrated to grow and sustain a resilient SME ecosystem,” we write. 

Our second suggestion is that clear pathways be established to allow SMEs to scale up. We call, specifically, for “structured pathways” for high-growth SMEs to grow, with the ultimate goal that these SMEs will, over time, become primes within their technology verticals.

Our third recommendation is that the eventual Defence Industrial Strategy set aside “targeted, accessible, and adequately resourced funding mechanisms that enable SMEs to invest in R&D, certification, security clearances, manufacturing capacity, and export readiness.”

And finally, we respectfully emphasise the importance of evaluation and accountability after the DIS is deployed to ensure maximum effectiveness and impact.

“The DIS should be subject to a mandatory biennial review, measuring progress against key performance indicators such as defence sector growth, SME participation rates, supply chain resilience, technology adoption, and contributions to Canada’s GDP. A joint report tabled in Parliament by the Ministers of Industry and National Defence would reinforce accountability and ensure the Strategy remains responsive, measurable, and execution focused.”

The quotes above are taken from our recommendations summary; we go into far greater detail on each of the four points. We see the eventual DIS as a critical blueprint not only for allowing dual-purpose innovations to flourish, but also as a key pillar in Canada’s defence and sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain world. We believe made-in-Canada solutions are imperative for this program to reach its long-term objectives.

Below: Our dual-purpose Cortex Lite brain box can be integrated onto any platform, enabling autonomous missions, remote teleoperation, seamless integration of any sensors – and much more. Platform-agnostic devices like these can be used in industrial, research, defence settings and more:

 

 

 

Cortex Lite

INDRO’S TAKE

 

These are, indeed, unprecedented times. Not only is the DIS on its way, but on December 1 Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada has been included as a partner in a European Union program known as SAFE – Security Action For Europe. Canada is the only country outside of the EU with preferential access to this $244B program.

“SAFE is a force multiplier for Canada,” said Minister McGuinty. “Our participation in SAFE unlocks unprecedented opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to build what our Allies need and what our Forces can rely on. This partnership accelerates our own rearmament while showcasing the world-class capabilities of Canadian workers, engineers, and innovators.”

And all of this coincides with a recent high-level Canadian technology Trade Mission to France, where InDro Robotics and nine other companies met with leading EU defence suppliers.

“We are in a very different world, and that world requires a broad range of new and innovative dual-purpose technologies,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “InDro Robotics, and the broader Canadian tech sector, are eager to offer existing and forthcoming innovations we believe will strengthen Canada’s defence and sovereignty, while also strengthening Canada’s economic base.”

We are hopeful the Committee working on the Defence Industrial Strategy takes a close look at our recommendations, which we believe are in the best interests of Canada. And we urge others in the sector to consider putting forward their own submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology in the hope the very industry the DIS will rely on can help shape this critical piece of policy.

InDro Robotics on high-level Canadian Trade Mission to France

InDro Robotics on high-level Canadian Trade Mission to France

Dec 5, 2025 | Defence, InDro Cortex, Industry News, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

A changing geopolitical world has opened the door to new and potentially massive opportunities for Canadian technology companies through partnerships with European Union countries and contractors.

Earlier this year, Canada signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU. And that was the catalyst for a recent Trade Mission to France, where InDro was one of a small group of Canadian technology innovators invited to meet with many of the top defence contractors in the EU.

The Defence and Aeronautics Trade Mission was organised by Montreal’s CENTECH, a non-profit that supports hi-tech companies with high growth potential. It did so in partnership with the National Research Council Canada, The Department of National Defence, and the Délégation générale du Québec à Paris (DGQP).

The trip came at a time of unprecedented developments. Canada recently announced a forthcoming Defence Innovation Strategy, which will rely heavily on Canadian companies for dual-purpose technology innovations that can be applied to defence and sovereignty use-cases. On October 2, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of the new Defence Investment Agency. And on December 1, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will participate in a program known as SAFE – Security Action For Europe. Canada is the only country outside of the EU with preferential access to this program.

The SAFE program, which unlocks some $244 billion in loans to EU partners (and now Canada) “opens massive new opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to build and export Canadian-made technologies and capabilities,” according to this news release. It’s being described as a “generational opportunity” for Canada’s defence and technology sectors.

“Our participation in SAFE unlocks unprecedented opportunities for Canadian manufacturers to build what our Allies need and what our Forces can rely on. This partnership accelerates our own rearmament while showcasing the world-class capabilities of Canadian workers, engineers, and innovators,” says The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence.

To be clear, it’s not just about weaponry – but a wide range of dual-purpose technologies that can be used to enhance defence and sovereignty capabilities, including robotics, AI, autonomous systems and much more. And that spells unprecedented opportunities for Canadian technology companies, including InDro Robotics.

Above: The Trade Mission on a site visit at ARQUUS. Below: Defence Minister McGuinty at GCXpo, where he announced a $9.2B commitment as part of Canada’s Defence Innovation Strategy

David McGuinty

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

 

With all of these changes on the horizon, the timing was perfect for the Trade Mission to France. InDro Robotics was one of 10 Canadian technology companies on that trip, which included meetings with key EU defence suppliers. These included heavyweights like Thales, Safran, ARQUUS, Exail Technologies and Airbus.

The trip started in Toulouse, with presentations to Airbus before moving to Paris for site visits and meetings with the other companies. The Canadian delegates learned more about the existing and forthcoming technologies these companies are working on, and were able to showcase Canadian innovations that might be a fit.

“We had the opportunity to meet directly with large defence contractors in France to present some of the cutting-edge technologies that we have,” says InDro Founder/CEO Philip Reece.  “We were able to showcase technologies that are commercially available and in late-stage R&D – as well as provide a teaser of some of the more advanced technologies we will be releasing in 2026.”

In addition to the formal presentations, there was a more relaxed gathering hosted by His Excellency the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Ambassador to France and Monaco. This provided additional one-on-one opportunities for members of the Trade Mission to meet directly with potential EU partners.

“He was quite gracious in hosting us at his residence. That reception allowed us, in a more informal setting, to cement some of the relationships that we had been building with our French counterparts. This, I believe, could result in quite a few developments,” says Reece.

Below: Reception at the residence of The Honourable Stéphan Dion, Canadian Ambassador to France and Monaco.

Stephane Dion France Trade Mission

INDRO SOLUTIONS

 

We can’t reveal all the details, but we were able to showcase both current and forthcoming InDro innovations – but there was “shock and awe” at some of our solutions. There was widespread interest in our forthcoming InDro Cortex, a tiny brain-box that can be integrated with everything from UGVs to drones to military vehicles, enabling autonomy, remote teleoperation, mission planning, seamless sensor integration and more. There was a lot of interest in Cortex.

“Conversations are underway about how Cortex could potentially be provided in exclusivity to some of the EU defence manufacturers,” says Reece.

But there are other dual-purpose projects slated for release in 2026 – including (with partners) a long-range ISR drone and a UGV with unprecedented capabilities. Details on these are under wraps at the moment, but they caught the attention of several EU contractors.

On this already-exceptional trip, InDro, along with a Canadian modular LiDAR manufacturer BALKO Tech, were invited to present at the Defence Innovation Forum (Forum Innovation Défense, or FID). This is an annual event of the French military which has traditionally focussed on French suppliers.

“This was a tremendous opportunity,” says Reece. “This was the first time foreign companies had been invited to formally present at their symposium. We, along with BALKO Tech, were the only two Canadian companies to be in the very first cohort of international companies to present at the FID.”

Finally, the Trade Mission gave InDro an opportunity to initiate discussions with other Canadian partners on the trip. Those conversations, we believe, will likely lead to future collaborations and partnerships within Canada.

Below: The Canadian delegation on one its site visits

INDRO’S TAKE

 

The global geopolitical scene has been altered dramatically in recent years, with a very uncertain future ahead. What is clear is that advanced technologies will play an even more critical role in defence, sovereignty and stability – and that governments increasingly recognise this fact. Dual-purpose technologies will benefit the defence, industrial and academic/R&D sectors in both the immediate and long-term horizons.

“We are grateful to CENTECH and the Government of Canada for its support of this recent Trade Mission, and are equally grateful that InDro Robotics was selected to take part,” says company Founder/CEO Reece.

“Meaningful conversations are already underway as a result, and we believe the seeds planted in France will ultimately benefit not only the Trade Mission participants, but ultimately elevate much of the technology and R&D sector in Canada. We’d also like express our thanks to The Honourable Stéphane Dion, as well as Kim-An Nguyen and the team at the Office of the Ambassador.”

There will be much more to come on this down the road. We will keep you posted.

Adopting inspection robots: Perceived barriers and solutions

Adopting inspection robots: Perceived barriers and solutions

Dec 2, 2025 | InDro Solutions, Industry 4.0, Industry News, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

Some companies – and we’ve built for them – have plunged head-first into the adoption of industrial inspection robots. They’re perfect for routinely inspecting assets like electrical substations, refineries, construction sites – the list goes on (and on). InDro robots are currently hard at work on multiple sites – and in more than one country.

Yet still, some potential clients hesitate.

So we thought we’d take the pulse with a survey. Here’s the question we asked, via LinkedIn: “Which of the following challenges do you think is the biggest barrier preventing companies from adopting industrial inspection robots?” Here were the choices:

  • Initial investment
  • Integrating existing systems
  • Terrain/environment challenges
  • Power and endurance

And here…are the results:

Inspection Robot survey

PERCEPTIONS…AND SOLUTIONS

 

So let’s tackle those concerns.

Initial investment is holding back 20 per cent of respondents from taking the plunge. Fair enough. Robots aren’t cheap. A fully customised solution with multiple sensors capable of regular, autonomous inspections in a demanding environment has traditionally cost $100k+ (and still can). Clients wonder if the investment will result in a positive ROI.

“With any new technology tackling any new use-case, it can be challenging to build an ROI calculation right out of the gate because you can’t truly know until you get it out in the field and and are able to use it in the actual desired use-case,” says Head of R&D Sales Luke Corbeth.

But he points out that many clients, once they have purchased a robot, discover that it not only offers ROI for the intended task, but that it can handle ancillary use-cases they hadn’t even considered at the outset. That, he says, has resulted in greater return on investment than some clients initially calculated. The other factor Luke points out is that the last couple of years have seen more powerful solutions appear at lower price points.

“Even two years ago, if you wanted a system capable of multi-level inspection, you had to go with an industrial-sized robot, right? You needed something like the Unitree B2 or Boston Dynamics Spot. Those would run you six figures before you even outfit it with software, cameras, acoustic sensors etc.” says Corbeth.

 
By contrast, highly agile and capable machines like the Go2-W (a wheeled quadruped that InDro can modify for any use-case) is much more affordable, allowing clients to invest even as a proof-of-concept. (The Go2-W, seen below, is capable of handling even the most demanding terrain, including stairs, steep inclines, and debris. It can even climb over short fences.)
wheeled quadruped

INTEGRATING EXISTING SYSTEMS

 

This, according to our survey, was the biggest stumbling block. A full sixty per cent of respondents identified this as a barrier to adopting industrial inspection robots. In all likelihood, these are companies that have legacy systems in place that have served them well – and the perceived complexity of integrating a new robot seems daunting. As Corbeth puts it: “Change is inherently hard.”

But there are solutions – ways for newer robots to capture and integrate data into existing systems, even if they are somewhat dated. Yes, there may be friction. But it’s not the barrier some perceive. InDro’s systems are Open Source/Open Architecture, allowing in-house engineers (or our own) to easily customise the software so the data and your existing system can co-exist in harmony.

Some sectors also use what’s known as “vertical specific” software, meaning systems built for say, the Oil and Gas sector, warehouses (WMS), mining, etc. But that’s not the roadblock some may perceive, says Corbeth.

“As long as the client is willing to expose an API (Application Programming Interface) to us, it’s relatively easy to point all of the data there. So instead of that data being manually collected and uploaded, now it’s automatically captured through autonomous missions and then automatically uploaded over whatever communications infrastructure the client already has.”

Understanding existing client systems and integration concerns is a key part of our discovery process with new clients. We ensure, from the outset, that integration will be as seamless as possible.

 

TERRAIN, POWER, ENDURANCE

 

None of the respondents indicated terrain was an issue. And perhaps that’s not a surprise. The latest generation of platforms, particularly wheeled quadrupeds like the Go2-W, can glide or clamber over just about anything. Tracked platforms can handle mud and snow. There are solutions for virtually every terrain.

Power and endurance are another matter. No one wants an inspection robot that can’t finish the job. In fact, twenty per cent of those who voted in our survey identified this as a concern. And who wants the hassle of plugging something in to recharge after a mission?

The reality is that there have been gains in both power and endurance with the latest generation of platforms. What’s more, InDro can customise any robot to autonomously dock with a wireless charging station so it’s ready for the next mission with no human intervention. Says Corbeth: “It’s pretty much a non-issue at this point.”

With all that being said, there are some unrealistic expectations out there, fuelled by slick videos – particularly of humanoid robots – doing amazing things. If you think you can just buy a humanoid and it’s going to be picking tomatoes the next day while interacting with human beings, think again. Modifying humanoids to flawlessly carry out human tasks takes a lot of work. But many use-cases (particularly for non-humanoid robots) are what Corbeth describes as “low-hanging fruit” – meaning tasks that have massive value implications, are easy to integrate, and get the job done.

“That’s where the sweet spot is,” he says.

Below: Our answers to concerns about integration in a slide format.

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We feel this survey was a useful exercise. It identified common barriers, and gave us an opportunity to set the record straight. The perceived obstacles aren’t really obstacles at all – but engineering challenges. And that’s where InDro excels.

“InDro has built many inspection robots for clients, some of whom had the same initial concerns,” says company Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “Those robots are currently carrying out regular inspections, wirelessly recharging, and heading out to work again the next day or week. Good engineering is all about problem-solving, and we love finding solutions.”

Interested? You can contact Luke to set up a no-obligation discovery call right here.

InDro Forge: Building custom robots – including for hazardous environments

InDro Forge: Building custom robots – including for hazardous environments

Nov 14, 2025 | Humanoids, InDro Forge, InDro News, InDro Solutions, Quadrupeds, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

You’ve likely heard of InDro Forge by now. It’s our custom fabrication, prototyping and limited production-run facility based in Ottawa.

InDro began operations there in September of 2023, taking over from what had been the Bayview Yards Prototyping Lab. Since then, we have continued to scale and expand capabilities – including the complexity of the custom robots and drones we manufacture for clients (and for InDro itself).

It has transitioned from focussing on one-off prototypes to basically becoming a growing robotics factory – and is now a very busy place. That’s why we thought it would be a good time to check in with Hardware Engineering Manager Joel Koscielski.

“We’ve hired additional staff to enhance our ability to design, integrate and test even highly complex custom builds,” he says. “In addition to our broad set of fabrication tools, we have industrial designers who make sure our robots look fantastic. We have software specialists who ensure our products are very user-friendly, and electronics engineers that are able to push our custom PCBs (printed circuit boards) into the next level of technology and capability.”

Above: A humanoid modified with the InDro Backpack, enabling remote tele-operations, autonomous missions, additional sensor integration, wireless charging – and more. Below: Our popular InDro Commander, a ROS2 brainbox that enables easy sensor integration, autonomy and SLAM, remote tele-operations – you name it.

ROS2 Module for Autonomous Robots

INDRO PRIORITIES

 

There’s obviously regular communication about projects across the entire InDro team. One of our regular all-hands meetings is called InDro Priorities, where we review progress and timelines on all builds underway. Sometimes a project is a one-off custom robot or drone for a client – but it’s frequently multiple robots being assembled for industrial or academic clients in Canada, the US – and far beyond. That project list has grown steadily since InDro Forge began, and now includes many projects. So it’s a busy place – and the scaling continues.

Plus, of course, Forge works closely with the entire InDro Robotics engineering team – offering a vast array of expertise for any desired solution.

A key ingredient to the overall process is Head of R&D Sales Luke Corbeth. Though not an engineer, Luke is incredibly knowledgeable – and exceedingly thorough in ensuring he has a complete understanding of client requirements in terms of use-case, sensors, compute, autonomy – the list goes on. So InDro Forge (in conjunction with InDro Robotics), spends a lot of time before even the preliminary design process to ensure that what is ultimately produced will satisfy or exceed customer expectations.

“I have to give a big shout-out to Luke Corbeth,” says Koscielski. “He does a lot of work with our clients to make sure he understands their needs…so that when the product is delivered, it’s everything they need it to be.”

 

QUADRUPEDS, HUMANOIDS AND THE THREE “D”s

 

One of the shifts that’s occurred since InDro Forge was developed is the increasing demand for quadrupeds and humanoids. Quadrupeds are extremely agile and handle stairs, inclines and obstacles with ease. That makes them ideal for challenging and unpredictable environments. We’ve even integrated arms and manipulators on quadrupeds, enabling them to flick switches or pick up and transport objects.

And humanoids? InDro Forge can enable these (and anything else) with additional hardware and software for remote tele-operations, wireless charging, autonomy and SLAM – you name it. These machines are increasingly being integrated into factory settings to work alongside people.

“Humanoids are certainly the it technology right now in the robotic space,” says Koscielski. “With humanoids, it’s that push to really find a way to build robots that are able to easily or effectively integrate themselves into a world that was already designed for humans.” In other words, with the right enhancements from Forge a humanoid can start carrying out tasks alongside people – with no infrastructure changes required.

And remember that old maxim – that robots are perfect for jobs that are dirty, dull or dangerous? We’ve modified quadrupeds for inspections in nuclear facilities and other hazardous environments, with multiple other projects (under NDA) underway. But let’s say you need to go inside an unstable structure, or a mineshaft that hasn’t had a human inside in decades.

“We can de-risk the entire situation… knowing that if for some reason something bad happens, it’s just a robot down there. It can be rebuilt and replaced. The other part is when the issue is not necessarily structural, but environmental.”

Think, for example, of a facility where there’s radioactivity, asbestos, or some other hazard that could jeopardise the health of a human. Increasingly, our clients are dispatching robots into these situations, complete with custom-made protective suits for quick decontamination. In fact, one of our modified quadrupeds has been scanning legacy fuel rod storage bays, complete with a protective suit. You’ll find that story here.

Below: Our Cortex Lite brainbox – a device that vastly enhances robotic capabilities and flexibility – can be integrated onto any platform by the team at InDro Forge

Cortex Lite
Cortex Lite

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We knew when we launched InDro Forge it would greatly enhance our ability to fulfil in-house, end-to-end production of custom products for our clients. Starting with a small but dedicated team, we had a vision for what it might become. And we have been executing on that vision ever since.

“InDro Forge is absolutely integral to our operations and capacity,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “What’s more, the continued expansion and capabilities will be critical to our future. The synergy between the Forge and Area X.O teams is exceptional, and we look forward to continuing to innovate, build and scale.”

Some of the projects underway are so specialised they have never been attempted before, and we look forward to releasing details when we can.

If you’ve got a concept for a highly specialised robot – or even something more basic – InDro Forge can turn that vision into reality. Luke Corbeth is always up for a no-pressure chat.

CBC Interviews InDro Founder/CEO Philip Reece on the new Federal budget

CBC Interviews InDro Founder/CEO Philip Reece on the new Federal budget

Nov 4, 2025 | In the media, InDro News, InDro Solutions, Industry News, Innovation, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

Canada’s new budget was unveiled Monday, November 4.

Delivered by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, there was a lot of focus on technology and defence – both for global competitiveness and to reflect a changing geopolitical world. CBC carried extensive live coverage of the event, which included an interview on the program The House with InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece on a panel.

The headline for the tech sector? A massive investment in defence spending, which includes dual-purpose technologies, meaning they can be utilised both for defence and industrial/civilian purposes. And the money? It’s big, including $81.8B over five years to rebuild, rearm, and invest in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Here’s a breakdown:

  • $17.9 billion over five years to expand Canada’s military capabilities including investments in additional logistics utility, light utility, and armoured vehicles, counter-drone and DRONE long-range capabilities, and domestic production, among other investments.
  • $6.6 billion to support the Defence Industrial Strategy
  • $6.2 billion over five years to expand Canada’s defence partnerships, including military assistance to Ukraine.

The Defence Industrial Strategy is new – and Canada’s first-ever such strategy. Details will be released in the coming months. But during the recent GCXpo in Ottawa, Defence Minister David McGuinty explained that it will lean heavily on Canada’s technology innovators.

“This is what I do know, and for sure: I know that at the heart of the strategy is you. The innovators, the investors, the risk-takers, the entrepreneurs, and the startups. You’re going to help us develop the dual-use technologies that are going to shape the future of defence and security,” he said.

Below: Dual-purpose technologies, such as our Sentinal inspection robot, could play a significant role in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

Industrial Inspection Robots

CANADA STRONG

 

It was clear from Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s opening remarks that this would be a very different kind of budget.

“The world is undergoing a series of fundamental shifts at a speed, scale, and scope not seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall,” he said.

“The rules-based international order and the trading system that powered Canada’s prosperity for decades are being reshaped – threatening our sovereignty, our prosperity, and our values….Budget 2025 represents the largest defence investment in decades.”

And perhaps most revelant for this sector?

“With our new Defence Investment Agency and Defence Industrial Strategy, we will build up Canada’s defence industry – strengthening Canadian businesses and supporting Canadian workers…We will further build our security and defence capabilities, right here at home – creating new jobs for our engineers, technicians and scientists in sectors such as aerospace, shipbuilding, cybersecurity, and AI.”

In many ways, the budget signified that Canada is at a critical turning point. And while it wasn’t all focused on defence and innovation, there was a striking emphasis on these areas. And that means challenges – and opportunities – right across the entire technology sector.

“This is about more than one company; it’s about building a Canadian defence ecosystem,” says Reece. 

 

INNOVATION IN A CHANGING WORLD

 

The world is changing in unprecedented ways. The stability of geopolitics we’ve traditionally enjoyed is now much more uncertain. Significant conflicts, using newer technologies, are in the news every day. So it was no surprise the Canada Strong budget emphasized this country needs to advance its capabilities.

Following the budget, CBC’s The House interviewed a panel that included InDro Robotics Founder/CEO Philip Reece for his reaction from the technology sector. He started by touching on the budget’s potential to help grow SMEs, which are really the backbone of bringing new technologies to the fore.

“This budget is a strong start for that,” he said. “Now…we need the Canadian government to follow through and allow innovators like InDro – and the many others that are out there – to really compete and become those global companies that we deserve to be.”

Part of that plan will be contained in the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, which will be released in the months to come. As previously hinted by Canada’s Minister of Defence, this strategy will rely heavily on technology entrepreneurs ranging from startups and SMEs through to major corporations. 

InDro Robotics invents and manufacture technologies that have already assisted the Department of Defence and have carried out work directly for the Ministry. (Most recently, InDro and partner CHAAC Technologies carried out a demonstration for the DoD of an AI land mine detection project that fuses drones, ground robots, and a neural network.)

Devices like our dual-purpose Sentinel inspection robot can be put to work in the field for reconnaissance, and our InDro Cortex greatly enhances the capabilities of a wide range of existing devices – including military vehicles and drones. We also have extensive expertise in customised drone and Counter-UAS technologies.

“It’s the same kind of technology now that can be rapidly swapped over to defence,” Reece told The House. “And we have seen that sort of build over the last couple of years, but it needs to build faster. 

“InDro Robotics is ready to deliver on Canada’s defence vision. We have the tech, the talent, and the ambition, now we need a clear path from government that allows us to grow and meet the moment,” says Reece.

Below: Philip’s interview on CBC’s The House, followed by an image of our Cortex – a dual-purpose InDro innovation that can be used for defence, industrial and civilian purposes

InDro Cortex ICRA 2025

INDRO’S TAKE

 

It is indeed a changing world. And we’re pleased (and relieved) to see the Government of Canada recognise the important role that technological innovation will play in our future sovereignty and security. InDro Robotics, and many other tech companies in this country, are ready to answer this call.

“The Canada Strong budget marks a pivotal moment for Canada’s defence and economic resilience,” says InDro Robotics Founder/CEO Philip Reece.

“InDro Robotics welcomes the increased investment and urges the government to now deliver a clear strategy to help Canadian businesses grow into true global leaders, capable of supplying the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces with the tools and equipment they need and supporting Canada’s trade diversification goals. It is indeed a challenge, and we are up for it.”

We look forward to the forthcoming details of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, and will update you at that time.

Wheeled quadrupeds: A versatile form factor

Wheeled quadrupeds: A versatile form factor

Oct 29, 2025 | InDro Backpack, Quadrupeds, Robots, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

So you need a robot.

Maybe it’s for inspection purposes, surveillance or monitoring. Maybe it’s for some other form of data acquisition. Perhaps it’s even for some highly specialised use-case, such as Search and Rescue.

There’s no shortage of options. And that’s both a blessing – and a challenge. How can you ensure you’re choosing the best option for the job?

On a recent edition of our Sound Byte micro-podcast, we spoke with InDro’s Head of R&D Sales, Luke Corbeth, about the advantages of different form factors. If you happened to miss that, you can have a listen in just a second.

But there was one thing Luke said during that conversation that really caught our attention. We realize your time is precious, so feel free to scrub ahead to 4:38 to hear the segment most relevant to this post (though, of course, listening to the entire short podcast will provide additional context about form factors):

Above: Locomotion has come a *long* way

STAIRS, DEMANDING TERRAINS

 

Wheeled quadrupeds are both a recent innovation and a unique and versatile form factor. They have the advantage of all quadrupeds, such as the ability to climb stairs and navigate other obstacles. First, let’s recap what Luke had to say about quadrupeds in general.

“The name of the game with robot dogs is stairs. If you need to do any multi-level inspection, it’s one of the only form factors that can reliably get up and down stairs,” he says.

In addition, quadrupeds excel at dynamic terrains. Think construction sites, places with debris that would halt a standard wheeled UGV, embankments, even a forest or trail. Quadrupeds have an impressive ability to scramble their way over obstacles. And, if they happen to fall down and flip over – can right themselves and keep on going.

But they also have limitations. Though some do clock impressive speeds, they’re not as fast as most wheeled platforms and lack the range. They’re also not as smooth, which can be an issue with sensitive payloads. And that’s where wheeled quadrupeds come in. They’re able to handle everything a standard quadruped can, but with several distinct advantages – including speed, stability and extended range. By using their wheels, they’re also able to overcome some obstacles (a low fence or barrier, for example) that would be a challenge for standard quadrupeds.

“They keep payloads much more stable while in movement, which is great for things like security applications or data capture, and they offer best-in-class climbing ability as well,” says Corbeth. “I’m constantly looking at which options suit our clients’ needs the best, and this one seems to be coming to the top of the list in almost every discussion these days.”

 

THE INDRO ADVANTAGE

 

Of course – if a wheeled quadruped looks like a fit for your use-case, there’s nothing to stop you from ordering one directly from a manufacturer. But out-of-the-box robots have limitations. InDro specialises in customising all robots specifically for customer needs.

By adding the InDro “Backpack” – we vastly enhance the capabilities of these robots for specific applications. The Backpack allows for the seamless integration of additional sensors (which we’re happy to do), enables remote teleoperation over 5G using InDro Controller, and can be pre-loaded with our InDro Autonomy software stack. You can execute and monitor all data on missions from right next door – or even from thousands of kilometres away.

“There’s a huge difference between a robot that comes direct from the factory and one that’s been modified by InDro,” explains Corbeth. “We can customise any configuration for clients, including – as we did recently – the addition of a robotic arm and manipulator. Using the InDro Controller platform not only enables repeatable custom missions, but also allows clients to control multiple different robots – even drones – with multiple sensors, using a single and highly intuitive interface.

“We’re trying to make them (robots and drones) easier to use, regardless of how they look or what data they collect,” says Corbeth.

Below: A Unitree GO2 W in a promotional video. InDro modifications vastly expand the capabilities of this – and other – robots and drones. The second image shows one of our options: The Prowler is customised for security and surveillance applications.

Prowler

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We’ve seen a true revolution in off-the-shelf robots over the past few years. At the same time, InDro’s engineers have continuously pushed the envelope when it comes to compatible hardware and software packages. Such add-ons elevate these machines into fully customizable intelligent, autonomous devices that can carry out even highly complex missions repeatedly and reliably. The Prowler version (pictured above) is just one of our many options, depending on use-case (you can download the short deck here).

“For an increasing number of clients, our customised wheeled quadrupeds are the most capable and flexible solution,” says Corbeth. “They have pretty much unmatched agility and performance. We can add any sensor package – and modify them so that they recharge wirelessly post-mission with no human intervention. Even three years ago, it would have been hard to imagine the power of these InDro-enhanced robots, especially given their price point.”

Interested in learning more? Luke is always happy to talk robots, and you can contact him here.