GCXpo 2025: Another successful showcase of cutting-edge technology

GCXpo 2025: Another successful showcase of cutting-edge technology

Sep 25, 2025 | Area X.O, GCXpo, Industry News, Innovation, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

GCXpo 2025 is a wrap.

Canada’s premiere next-gen tech showcase featured exhibits from more than 70 cutting-edge companies, multiple panels and fireside chats, some 2,000 registered attendees – and even a keynote speech from the Federal Minister of National Defence.

Oh. And there were a lot of wasps. But they were a minor inconvenience on a day where the focus was on “solutions that our planet needs now more than ever,” said Invest Ottawa President and CEO Sonya Shorey during brief opening remarks. Those solutions ranged from made-in-Canada robotic arms through to robotic agriculture equipment and even new long-range and AI-enhanced drones capable of all manner of data acquisition.

The event, as always, took place over the sprawling grounds of Area X.O (pronounced “X dot oh” in case you ever wondered), a private 750 hectare (1850 acres) complex that serves as a key hub for leading R&D and technology companies in the nation’s capital. The gated facility includes 16 kilometres (10 mi) of roads and test tracks for testing autonomous vehicles, along with its Drone and Advanced Robot Training and Testing facility (DARTT) – built to meet the demanding standards of the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST).

It’s the perfect location (and had, thankfully, perfect weather) for such an ambitious event. Organised by Invest Ottawa, multiple federal departments, funding agencies and companies (including InDro) sponsored the event.

“It’s an incredible constellation of partners – we do nothing in isolation,” said Shorey.

This year’s GCXpo was not only the biggest yet, but it also noted a shift. There was a greater presence of dual-purpose devices that could be used for defence purposes, along with suggestions we’re in a rapidly changing geopolitical world where it’s in Canada’s best interests to be pushing the tech envelope. Chris Pogue, President of Defence and Space at Calian Advanced Technologies, suggested during the opening ceremony we are at a highly significant point in history:

“(It’s) a moment when defence, Canadian sovereignty, and the ability to build Canadian national capacity is more important than it’s ever been since the Second World War.”

Below: Head of R&D Sales Luke Corbeth demonstrates a humanoid InDro has extensively modified for work in hazardous environments. Image two: Detail of the InDro “backpack” that vastly enhances the robot’s capabilities

 

InDro GCXpo

COOL STUFF

 

There’s always new and interesting things to see while walking the site – plus great opportunities to learn at the many panels (which took place in three separate zones). But a few things caught our eye.

One of them is a new AI drone company called Pelican Autonomy. The company has just recently emerged from “stealth” mode. It’s parent company Lemay.AI, which serves sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and AgriTech through to aerospace and defence. Pelican Autonomy produces drones of varying sizes, ranges and payload capacities depending on use-case. Specialising in object detection and GPS-denied navigation, the company has been working behind-the-scenes at a rapid pace.

“We decided to build our own UAVs back at CANSEC 2024. We basically went from idea to flyable prototypes since then,” explains Project Lead Vlade Shestakov. “Now that we’ve made a number of successful prototypes, we’ve decided to make ourself known – and because we’re looking for funding we could potentially get some partners here.”

Its large drone (a fixed-wing, dual-engine tail-sitter) can carry a 25kg payload and has an estimated range of 400-500 km.

“It can be a full range of custom solutions – pipeline detection, collaborative mapping, disaster relief – and many others,” he says.

Ottawa-based firm A.I.rShare (“AirShare) was showing its low-cost counter-drone solutions – which are look like tiny missiles

“We provide low-cost, low-collateral counter drone solutions,” explained Missile and Fire Control Designer Luke Skinner. And with developments like we’ve seen in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, there’s clearly a need for C-UAS solutions.

“Lots of people are now buying cheap drones and attaching weapons to them – bombs, mortars, things like that. Right now the missiles being designed for this cost way more than the drones, orders of magnitude greater. Our idea is to bring the cost of the missile down to the cost of the drone. We do that through 3D printing and off-the-shelf components.”

The missiles use hobby rocket motors and are launched via a radar-guided turret. AirShare’s software determines where and when to fire (including how many missiles) for an intercept.

“The missiles deploy a large cloud of lift-disrupting countermeasures that get stuck in the propellors or air intake. Lots of people are doing things like lasers, jamming, but with new fibre optic controlled drone those don’t work so well.”

Below: Indro’s Training and Regulatory Expert, Kate Klassen, on an industry panel around certification, compliance and global standards

THE BIGGER MESSAGE

 

As flagged during opening remarks, we are in a changing world – one where AI and other technologies will play an increasingly important role during uncertain geopolitical times. A standing room-only keynote featured Federal Minister of National Defence, David McGuinty.

“Canada is going to have to be ready…not just to respond, but to lead,” said the Minister. As part of that, he said, the country is working on its first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy – and will be committing vastly more money in this area. As part of meeting Canada’s NATO commitment, he said, the country will be devoting five per cent of its GDP by 2035.

“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,” he said.

He then expanded on the increasingly significant role Canadian technology companies will play.

“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.

A similar call came earlier in the day from Christine Hanson, Regional Director for North America at NATO’s DIANA program, which issues technology challenges on behalf of NATO partners and funds selected participants. The program was established in 2021 to help NATO maintain its technological edge.

“NATO Nations are really facing unprecedented challenges,” she said, emphasising how important it is “That these technologies are making us more secure and more safe” – adding DIANA is currently engaged in “important conversations around procurement and the speed of acquisition.”

Below: Canada’s National Minister of Defence, David McGuinty 

David McGuinty

INDRO’S TAKE

 

GCXpo is always a big event for us – and for the industry-at-large. This year was no exception. But there was definitely an emphasis on the importance Canada (and NATO) is now placing on developing new and innovative dual-use technologies – meaning they can be used both for defence/sovereignty as well as having other real-world applications.

“It is indeed a changing world, and technology will play an unprecedented role as we move forward,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “InDro already has some dual-use projects underway that we believe will be of benefit, while also standing true with InDro’s long-standing principles of positive use-case scenarios. We’d also like to thank Invest Ottawa and the many organisers of this year’s event – it truly is Canada’s premiere showcase of its kind.”

We look forward to GCXpo 2026.

Mark September 24: GCXpo returns to Ottawa’s Area X.O

Mark September 24: GCXpo returns to Ottawa’s Area X.O

Sep 8, 2025 | Area X.O, GCXpo, Industry News, Innovation, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

If you’re in the Ottawa area September 24 – or can be – mark that date on your calendar. It’s the fourth annual GCXpo, Canada’s premiere showcase of next-gen technology and Smart Mobility. It’s an amazing event, and it’s free.

“Last year, we grew to the point where we had over 1600 registrants that attended the event on the demonstration day. And this year, for the overall showcase, we’re hoping that it grows beyond that,” explains Patrick Kenny, Senior Director, Stakeholder Experience and Strategic Engagement with Invest Ottawa.

And what do those attendees get to see? Well, the latest and greatest that Canadian technology companies have to offer – with live demonstrations of robots, drones, Smart Mobility technologies (including in the fields of agriculture and defence), plus a whole lot more. Close to 75 companies will be displaying or demonstrating at this year’s event, set up on the sprawling 750 hectare (850 acre) private, gated facility known as Area X.O (Area X ‘dot’ Oh) that’s home to a concentration of leading high-technology companies. InDro Robotics has its R&D headquarters there.

Area X.O, says Kenny, truly represents “industry, government, our private sector and our post-secondary institutions all coming together to create this enormous opportunity for companies to test and validate their technology as they work towards public adoption and, ideally, commercialisation.”

Below: A scene from last year’s GCXpo event: And yes, that vehicle is driving autonomously

GCXpo

CROSS-POLLINATION

 

Patrick Kenny uses that word a lot – both in describing Area X.O and the GCXpo event itself.

Area X.O is frequently visited by government departments and agencies that play a role in funding some of the technology developments. There’s collaboration between technology companies on site, resulting in new products and even patents. And there’s all that space for developing and hardening new technologies, including roads set aside for autonomous vehicles, as well as the Drone and Advanced Robotics Training and Testing site (DARTT), where robots are put through demanding challenges that meet the rigorous criteria of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

But when it comes to GCXpo, there’s much more than that.

Federal funding agencies and regulators are there, happy to talk about their latest programs and opportunities. Post-secondary institutions are there, happy to discuss co-op programs or meet with prospective students. Investors come as well, looking for that next great product or use-case. Plus, hundreds of people with a general interest in technology attend simply to get a glimpse of the future.

 

AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN

 

But GCXpo (and “GC” stands for Government of Canada) is also an opportunity to hear from the experts via roundtable discussions (including questions from attendees). Last year, there was a large main stage where all of these events took place. This year, says Kenny, they’re taking a different approach in order to offer an even greater quantity of more specialised content.

“We actually made the decision this year to not go with the mainstage,” he explains. “We’re going to have three satellite stages around the site that are going to provide a little bit more high touch programming for those that are interested.”

They are:

  • Communitech EY Zone – Powered by Innovation & Defence
  • Ottawa Innovation Farm Zone powered by AgExpert – Cultivating the Future of Agriculture 
  • Smart City Zone – Building Tomorrow’s Urban Intelligence

You’ll find much more about each of these satellite stages on this page.

In addition to roundtables and technical updates, audience members will have an opportunity to ask the many experts, regulators and funders onstage questions.

Originally known as TCXpo (where the TC stood for Transport Canada), the event has evolved and grown every single year. Kenny is the person in charge of it all – but he’s (obviously) not doing it alone.

“By the time the event takes place, we’ve really had over 50 individuals that have been part of the organising and the development of the event itself,” he says. And that doesn’t include the many other participants, including the companies themselves, post-secondary agencies, and many more.

Below: Patrick Kenny goes into greater detail about the history of Area X.O and what to expect at this year’s GCXpo in this edition of our Sound Byte micro-podcast:

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We always look forward to this event – and not just because it’s an opportunity to showcase our own innovations. It’s an opportunity to meet others in this space, have discussions with regulators, funders, potential clients, etc. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for everyone who attends (including us!) to see the great strides being made in the Canadian technology sector – everything from innovations in CleanTech through to some of the most advanced autonomous robotics around.

“Invest Ottawa and the Government of Canada deserve great credit for this technology showcase,” says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “This is truly the premiere annual Canadian technology event. An incredible amount of work goes into making it happen – and for those who participate, GCXpo can produce incredible results.”

Tickets to attend are free, but you must register in advance. Companies still wishing to exhibit can also reach out for more information here.

GCXpo 2024: A stunning showcase of Smart Mobility

GCXpo 2024: A stunning showcase of Smart Mobility

Sep 27, 2024 | GCXpo, Industry News, Scott Simmie, Smart Mobility

By Scott Simmie

 

The third annual showcase of Canada’s Smart Mobility sector – formerly known as TCXpo – is a wrap.

Bringing together more than 80 companies from across Canada and abroad, more than 1500 attendees registered to see the latest and greatest innovations – some of them being shown publicly for the first time. Ground robots, drones, even agricultural equipment and demonstrations of new technologies – it was all on display at Ottawa’s Area X.O, a private facility where technology companies (including InDro Robotics) build and test innovative products on a daily basis.

This was the largest event so far – and that’s reflected in the title. It’s now called “GCXpo” – with the first two letters standing for Government of Canada (the previous “TC” stood for Transport Canada). It’s a reflection of the importance Canada puts on supporting this growing sector as companies develop new products and push toward commercialisation. And there are a *lot* of agencies and departments behind this event.

GCXpo is hosted by Area X.O and operated by Invest Ottawa in partnership with the Government of Canada and event sponsors, including:

“GCXpo Is truly about celebrating Canadian innovation, companies driving the smart revolution that are changing our country for the better,” said Invest Ottawa President and CEO Sonya Shorey during opening remarks. She also pointed out why Area X.O in the nation’s capital is such a fitting location: Ottawa per capita, has “the top tech talent concentration in all of North America.”

And GCXpo 2024 did not disappoint.

Below: A crowd watches as Matt Johnston, Assistant Test Integration Engineer with Lockheed Martin Skunkworks Calgary, demonstrates a drone that can fly (and land) in GPS-denied environments, followed by the drone in flight. All photos by Scott Simmie

A LOT TO SEE

 

With some 80 companies, government agencies, academic institutions and others at the show, there was a lot of ground to cover. And while the exhibits were underway, the CAVCanada Stage provided top-flight panels and keynotes on a wide range of topics.

InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece took part in a panel entitled: “Creating the Cities of Tomorrow,” which looked at how municipalities and regulators can best work together to safely encourage the transition toward newer technologies.

‘I would say failing fast is a super important thing,” he said. “We started flying drones 10-12 years ago, when it was really new. And the answer to everything at the start was: ‘No, you can’t do that.’ So instead of accepting that, we basically brought them (Transport Canada) with us, and we’d say ‘What would it take to do this? How can we do this next step?'”

There were some failures, but with the regulator on site there was a joint understanding of why things had failed – and the willingness to work together to identify those points of failure and take another run at things. This helped both the company – and the regulator itself. And it ultimately led toward a new way of thinking – with both parties viewing themselves as partners with a common goal.

“It’s much better to invite them in – let’s (jointly) spur innovation forward,” said Reece.

Interestingly, as the move toward Smart Cities continues, there’s obviously a lot of adoption of AI technologies and research in that realm. Because those AI processors can use a lot of energy – and because AI-enabled devices are starting to become ubiquitous in our lives – Ottawa Hydro has noticed a surge in energy demands and has had to adjust its own resources to ensure it’s keeping up with the transition. This surge has also, presumably, been influenced by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (which, in addition to charging, rely heavily on AI).

“Bringing on AI has a very different energy footprint, and it’s not just one section of the city we’re seeing that in – we’re seeing it throughout,” said Julie Lupinacci, Chief Customer Officer with Ottawa Hydro.

“We’re moving from a utility that was planning and building one substation every five years – to one every year. So these are very interesting and exciting times, but it’s very crucial to get this right for the future.”

Below: InDro Robotics CEO Philip Reece

FROST, FOG AND Electric vehicles

 

If you’re a Canadian who drives in the winter, you’ll know all about the challenges of frost and fog on your windshield. But you likely haven’t given much thought to the energy requirements it takes to de-ice or de-fog that windshield, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs).

But one Ontario company based in Oakville, Betterfrost Technologies, has given this problem a lot of thought over many years. And it has developed a solution for the problem that uses 10x to 20x less energy than traditional methods.

And how does it do that? Well, there’s an invisible layer in the windshields of most cars today that is used for passive cooling, by deflecting infrared rays. That same layer can be energised using rapid pulses of power to concentrate on melting the frost or ice right where at counts: At the point where it adheres to the windshield. The company has produced an algorithm that’s embedded on a small chip that can be added to pretty much any modern vehicle with a couple of wires. When that algorithm gets the energy pulsing at the right frequency and intensity, that boundary layer is quickly and efficiently melted, allowing for the easy physical removal of frost or ice.

“This was researched at New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College’s Ice Research Laboratory,” explains company co-founder and CTO Sameh Saad. “They looked at how ice attaches to surfaces and the best way to break that bond, between ice and any surface. Most of the stickiness of ice happens at the interface. So if you can melt the ice at the interface it will fall off with external force.”

And so the company developed an algorithm that ensures the heat only goes to that boundary layer – and isn’t wasted beyond.

“The pulsing gives us better control, so the heat doesn’t move as far. So even though the pulsing is high power, the way this works leads to low energy consumption,” says CEO Derrick Redding.

And it’s not just about EVs.

“The other application besides automotive is aerospace, where airplane wings or critical surfaces need to be clear of ice and frost before takeoff and during flight,” says Saad. “So this could be done using the same technology, using a polymer coating. And if we do automotive vehicles, we can do defence vehicles, bridge windows on ships – it doesn’t matter how thick the glass is. What’s important is that we can defrost it and defog it very quickly.”

The company has been around since 2015, and Better Frost Technologies is hoping its product may soon come standard on vehicles straight off the production line.

“We’re working closely with two car OEMs and one truck OEM, and that’s going very well,” says CEO Redding.

Below: CTO Sameh Saad, a mechanical engineer, with the company’s proprietary algorithm-embedded chip.

Better Frost Technologies CTO Sameh Saad

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

 

Though the overarching theme of the show is Smart Mobility, one of the joys of this event is the variety of companies showing off innovations you might not immediately associate with the sector but which are nonetheless both interesting and related. One such surprise was KTV Working Drone Ottawa, a company that uses a drone for high-rise window and facade cleaning. The company’s president, Gesummino Sala, explained he’d come across the idea of using drones for cleaning, and was thinking of starting his own drone company.

He then discovered Norwegian company KTV Working Drone already had such a product and was franchising it. In fact, it had operations in Halifax and Vancouver. Sala managed to secure the franchise for Ottawa (along with rights for a large portion of Ontario). He launched earlier this month.

“It’s been about a year in the making, but lots of preparation was needed for this,” he says.

The platform is a DJI M350 RTK, where that realtime kinematic sensor allows for very precise positioning. A hose attached to a spraying unit on that drone sucks up purified water (to 0 ppm) heated to 80° C and applies it directly to the windows of facade. Because of that hot, pure water – Sala says the building dries quickly and cleanly. He says the drone can loft that hose up to the Transport Canada ceiling of 400′ AGL, meaning it could clean a 40-storey building.

“The finish is spotless,” says Sala. “It’s safer, the building doesn’t get damaged from swing stages (which are used in traditional window washing operations), it’s more efficient, and it’s faster. Everybody’s interested; people who have heard about it want to see it.”

Below: KTV Working Drone Ottawa’s President, Gesummino Sala

RIDESHARK

 

When it comes to commuting, Smart Mobility doesn’t just mean autonomous vehicles (though there were plenty of those at GCXpo). It can also mean a smarter way of commuting that will eventually include self-driving cars. And that’s why an Ottawa-based company called RideShark was at the show. We asked President and Co-Founder Sharon Lewinson to give us the elevator pitch.

“RideShark is a multi-modal platform that helps people choose sustainable transportation options to reduce congestion, emissions, and improve quality of life,” she says.

And how does it do that? Well, with a very sophisticated mobile app.

“In one click, a person can enter their destination and it automatically gives them all their multi-modal transportation options: Carpool partners, transit options, bike buddies, shuttles…And then it has carpooling. People can book, pay and communicate all in-app.”

RideShark sells its SaaS platform to clients, and it’s then “white labelled” – meaning the app might bear the name and branding of a university, large corporation, or one of the many other institutions and sectors where it’s in use. The company secured Nortel as its first customer back in 2006. It’s grown a lot since then, and has multiple high-profile clients across North America.

Now, says, Lewinson, it’s time for the next step.

“We’ve been around a lot and now we’re looking to globally scale. We’re a partner with Invest Ottawa – they provide a lot of support. GCXpo is where the future is of what we call ‘unified mobility.’ With all the autonomous vehicles, ultimately they have to get people into those vehicles – and our technology will help with that.”

Below: A video explaining how RideShark works, followed by a photo of company president Sharon Lewinson.

Sharon Lewinson RideShark

THE NEXT GENERATION

 

Innovation is on a stellar trajectory. With the accelerated use of AI and related technologies, the breakthroughs just keep on coming. So it’s worth noting that many educational institutes were at GCXpo, along with government agencies and accelerators that help fund startups to encourage continued innovation.

We stopped briefly at the Algonquin College booth, partly to let them know we’d recently profiled two InDro employees – both of whom came to Canada from India – to study engineering there. (Their story documents a pretty remarkable voyage and can be found here.)

“Why GCXpo?” we asked Algonquin representatives.

“We’re here to kind of market the value of not only the Co-op & Career Centre, but everything our Experiential and Innovation centre can offer – ranging from applied research, co-op positions, through to entrepreneurship co-ops,” explained Ashoka Patel, the College’s Industry Engagement Specialist Team Lead.

“When we’re at these events, we want to meet with anyone interested in attending the college, so (we talk about) work-integrated learning opportunities, which could be a placement, a short-term internship. And then we speak to our current students to encourage them to look for jobs and ask how we can help them, help out with research projects. And then we want to meet with employers and see what we kind of different programs we can provide to students and graduates.”

And, says Patel, that commitment doesn’t end with commencement.

“Once a student leaves Algonquin College, we still offer them post-graduation support to find their career of choice.”

And those are the people, from Algonquin College and elsewhere, who will forge the next wave of innovations.

Below: Ashoka Patel, along with Industry Engagement Specialist Alexandra Trudel.

Algonquin College Ashoka Patel and Alexandra Trudel

INDRO’S TAKE

 

This event is now in its third year – and GCXpo has truly become the showcase of Canadian and international companies in the Smart Mobility and related sectors. It’s an opportunity for everyone from big industry players through to small entrepreneurs and interested students and members of the public to learn about the products, services and agencies that are committed to helping shape the future in a positive way.

“As always, Area X.O and Invest Ottawa have done a tremendous job of hosting and planning this event,” says InDro Robotics CEO Philip Reece. “The shift from TCXpo to GCXpo really highlights the commitment of the Government of Canada to this future, and also illustrates how truly engaged regulators and funding agencies are to this growing sector. Of course, it’s always nice to show what InDro has been up to – but the real value here is the diversity of thought and innovation on display, all in one place and in one day. We look forward to 2025.”

See you next year!

GCXpo to showcase Smart Mobility at Ottawa’s Area X.O September 26

GCXpo to showcase Smart Mobility at Ottawa’s Area X.O September 26

Sep 12, 2024 | Area X.O, GCXpo, Scott Simmie, Smart Mobility, TCXpo

By Scott Simmie

 

It’s that time of the year again.

We’re not referring here to the end of summer, but to Canada’s premiere Smart Mobility event. On September 26, GCXpo comes to Area X.O in Ottawa. This is the third annual showcase of Canadian technology companies in the Smart Mobility and IoT realms. The first two were known as TCXpo, with the “TC” standing for Transport Canada. This year’s show promises to be even bigger, and the “GC” – Government of Canada – reflects that.

If you’ve attended in the past, you’ll know it’s an exciting day. There are demonstrations of all sorts of smart technologies – everything from drones dropping payloads with intelligent parachutes that guide the payload to a precision target through to autonomous ground vehicles.

“In partnership with the Government of Canada and event sponsors, GCXpo will bring together more than 70 Canadian companies to host live technology demonstrations at Area X.O,” says the Area X.O website.

“GCXpo will create an exclusive opportunity for invited guests to experience the power and impact of cutting-edge Canadian technologies, including many preparing for global markets.”

And it’s not just a select group of invited guests. If you’re interested in this sphere, we’ll tell you later how you can register.

First, though, let’s take a look at what you can expect. Check out this video from last year’s event:

MORE THAN 70 COMPANIES

 

With outdoor (and some indoor) displays on the sprawling Area X.O site, guided tours take attendees through the latest in cutting-edge innovations from Canadian and international companies. In 2023, 77 companies exhibited at the show, and a similar number is on tap for 2024. These include industry leaders like Rheinmetall Provectus, Lockheed Martin and more, alongside prominent startups like RealLife Robotics which specialises in zero-emission last-mile and cargo delivery. Of course, InDro Robotics (which is also a sponsor of the event) will be there, too.

We’ll be demonstrating many of our robots and drones, utilising the Drone and Advanced Robotics Testing and Training facility, also known as DARTT. This is a state-of-the-art proving ground for robots, where they can be driven over demanding terrain built to the exacting standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This includes a large-scale, netted enclosure for testing drones. Because it’s enclosed, it’s ideal for testing new drone technologies without having to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate. It’s also an ideal location for training robot and drone operators – and InDro manages the site. (You can take a deeper dive into DARTT with this story.)

GCXpo is an opportunity not only to see our latest innovations up close, but also a chance to operate them. Head of R&D Sales Luke Corbeth is a master at explaining technology, and likes nothing more than putting a remote control in the hands of attendees to give them a chance to pilot a ground robot or even drone.

Here’s a brief clip of Luke at the DARTT zone from last year’s event; Luke will perform a similar role at GCXpo.

TWO EVENTS IN ONE

 

Trust us, there’s plenty to see at GCXpo – along with the opportunity to speak with those displaying their products and services. But the outdoor exhibits are just one part of the show. Running concurrently is the CAV (Connected and Autonomous Vehicles) Canada Stage. With programming throughout the day, this is a chance to hear more than 20 distinguished thought leaders (including InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece) on a wide range of topics related to Smart Mobility, Advanced Air Mobility, the IoT, security, et cetera. The list of topics, as you’ll see, truly goes on.

As the CAV Canada website explains, speakers will be addressing these topics – and more:

  • “Authentic discussion and global foresight on key opportunities and challenges in CAV and smart mobility R&D, markets, investments, and policy during current recovery and post-pandemic periods.
  • “Actionable insight to enable and accelerate the safe implementation of CAV and smart mobility solutions in diverse sectors, from transportation to communications, smart farming and public safety
  • “Innovative approaches, real-world examples and lessons learned in smart mobility test, validation and demonstrations
  • “Access to CAV and smart mobility talent and strategies to develop, attract, and retain a competitive, diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • “Networking opportunities to engage, connect and collaborate in the smart mobility ecosystem.”

Previously, the CAV Canada event took place the day after TCXpo. This year, GCXpo and the CAVCanada learning sessions will be integrated into a single event. (And don’t worry, the large CAV Canada stage and audience area is tented in the event of rain).

Below: Some of the InDro team – and many of our robots – at last year’s TCXpo

TCXpo

CANADA, OTTAWA AT THE FOREFRONT

 

It’s no coincidence that GCXpo takes place in Ottawa. In addition to the Area X.O facility – a dedicated and private space utilised by numerous companies in the Smart Mobility sector – the city itself is a leading technology hub. According to Invest Ottawa, the nation’s capital is home to more than 1800 technology companies, 88,000+ tech workers, and represents the highest concentration of technology talent per capita in North America.

“Ottawa is renowned for our cutting-edge R&D and innovation in SaaS, cybersecurity, AI, machine learning, robotics, advanced networks and 5G, health tech and life sciences, smart mobility, IOT, and many other disruptive technologies,” says its web site. “Innovators are fueling the ICT Information and Communications Technology), life sciences, defence, security, aerospace, smart mobility, cleantech, and software to name a few.”

Invest Ottawa has played a huge role in attracting and supporting technology firms. The agency says “From 2013 to 2022 (inclusive), Invest Ottawa has supported almost 14,000 firms from start-ups to global enterprises.” And that’s not all. Invest Ottawa has also helped raise some $1.86B in capital for domestic companies, provided more than 75,000+ hours in advisory services, and helped facilitate nearly 15,000 jobs. That’s a lot.

In a larger sense, GCXpo also showcases the commitment of the Federal and Ontario provincial governments (including agencies like Invest Ottawa) toward technology and a Smart future. Many, if not all, of the companies displaying their innovations and services have benefited from government programs and research grants to help grow their businesses. These agencies include:

  • Transport Canada
  • The Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Innovative Solution Canada (ISC) Challenge Program
  • DND’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program
  • NGen Canada, the advanced manufacturing supercluster
  • Area X.O

In a news release for last year’s event, Area X.O and Invest Ottawa also pointed out another purpose of the show.

“TCXpo will enable all participating companies to engage prospective talent, clients, partners, suppliers, investors and regulators throughout the day. These connections can stimulate new R&D, business and investment opportunities that propel the growth and success,” it stated.

For companies like InDro, the two previous TCXpo events enabled a public demonstration of technologies, an opportunity to network with other companies in complementary fields – and a chance to sit down with both prospective clients and regulators such as Transport Canada and NAV Canada.

“This truly is the premiere event for showcasing emerging technologies in the Smart Mobility and IoT sectors,” says InDro Robotics CEO and Founder Philip Reece. “Our entire team is looking forward to GCXpo and the opportunity to engage with the public, clients, and the Federal and Provincial agencies that have helped support our ambitious growth trajectory.”

Below: An autonomous tractor hits the field inside Area X.O at the 2023 TCXpo event. We can’t resist reviving a joke we made at the time: “And on this farm there was a robot, Ee-eye, ee-I/O…”

INDRO’S TAKE

 

InDro Robotics was one of the very first anchor tenants at Area X.O, alongside heavyweights like Ericsson, Nokia and Blackberry QNX. We could see the advantages of a private facility with its own 5G network, allowing us to test our drones, ground robots and more by simply walking out the door with them.

We started with a relatively small team, and our operations there have grown along with the facility. It’s now our R&D headquarters, where the bulk of InDro’s many innovations are conceived and executed. The number of employees there has grown exponentially, and InDro has developed solid relationships with many of the federal and provincial agencies who will be present at the show. InDro is also about to mark the first anniversary of its expansion into rapid prototyping and limited run manufacturing with its InDro Forge facility (formerly the Bayview Yards Prototyping Lab). There’s no question Ottawa is the place to be in our line of work.

“GCXpo promises to be a great event, and we look forward to showcasing not only our products and team, but also the Area X.O facility itself,” says Philip Reece. “Invest Ottawa and Area X.O have been great partners from the moment we started renting space at the facility – and we could not envision a better location for our research and development.”

If you’re going to be (or could be) in Ottawa September 26, you’re invited. Attending GCXpo is free, and there will be guided tours to ensure you don’t miss any of the action. You can register for a ticket right here.