OVIN supports Kitchener & GeoMate partnership for HD maps for autonomous driving applications

The City of Kitchener has partnered with GeoMate Inc., a local start-up out of Communitech in Kitchener's innovation district, who has been successful in securing $580,000 from the Ontario government through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).

“By investing in homegrown innovation and helping local companies compete in global markets, Ontario is protecting the future of our automotive sector and ensuring the cars of the future are made in Ontario, by Ontario workers,” said Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, our government is strengthening our domestic supply chain, driving competitiveness and resilience, and creating good-paying jobs that will withstand this storm of tariffs and economic uncertainty.”

As part of the City’s Make It Kitchener 2.0 economic development strategy, this partnership supports building a city-wide start-up network focused on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The City will be providing GeoMate Inc. with up-to-date information regarding ongoing construction projects, planned infrastructure developments, and road closures to work towards standardized data formats and protocols. The vision for the future is to have autonomous shuttles in Downtown Kitchener between structured City parking facilities.

GeoMate Inc. is on a mission to unlock the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in mapping for smart mobility. In addition to the support of the Ontario government through OVIN, the partnership will see an additional $1,165,000 in industry contributions.

For more information:

Krystin Scheels

Communications and Marketing Associate

media@kitchener.ca

Robert Macgregor

Director of Partnerships

GeoMate Inc.

robert.macgregor@geomate.ca