Aurrigo Unveils Canada’s First All-Season Medium-Speed Autonomous Shuttle in Kanata

Aurrigo International Expands Autonomous Vehicle Technology in Canada

On August 18, 2025, Aurrigo International plc announced its expansion into North America with the launch of its nine-seater passenger Auto-Shuttle® in Kanata, marking Canada’s inaugural all-season, medium-speed autonomous shuttle operational on public roads. This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), Area X.O (operated by Invest Ottawa), and various partners, all bringing their distinct expertise to the project.

The Auto-Shuttle® will serve a strategically planned 4.5 km route through Kanata North Technology Park, Canada’s largest tech park, connecting eight designated stops that encompass businesses, eateries, community spaces, and points of public transport. The shuttle has been specifically engineered to navigate Canadian weather conditions, including snow, ice, wind, and rain—challenges that have been rigorously addressed during testing at Area X.O, an all-weather research and development complex for next-generation technologies.

David Keene MBE, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, emphasized the significance of this project, highlighting the extensive collaboration with KNBA over the past six years to bring autonomous vehicle technology to Canada. He remarked that the Auto-Shuttle® represents a significant advancement in safely and effectively deploying driverless vehicles across varied weather and environmental conditions. Keene noted that Ottawa could serve as a pivotal testbed for future autonomous vehicle developments worldwide.

This Canadian trial aims not only to provide practical public transit solutions but also to yield crucial data concerning electric and autonomous vehicle performance under real-world seasonal conditions. Additional objectives include shaping a municipal safety framework for autonomous vehicles, implementing inclusive design features (such as Deaf.AI's American Sign Language avatar for deaf and hard-of-hearing users), and formulating policy recommendations to inform future autonomous vehicle regulations.

This endeavor builds upon earlier trials of low-speed autonomous vehicles in Ottawa conducted in 2019 and 2021. The current initiative progresses toward the deployment of a modified commercial vehicle with enhanced speed, capacity, and operational capabilities. By integrating advanced technology and forward-thinking urban planning, the project aspires to establish a national benchmark for safe, smart, and sustainable autonomous transit services in Canada.

Kelly Daize, Executive Director of the Kanata North Business Association, lauded the project for leveraging previous autonomous vehicle trials in the region. She noted that Kanata North houses over 540 companies dedicated to shaping the future of mobility and innovation, indicating that the project exemplifies a successful collaboration among industry, government, and the community.

Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, highlighted the importance of Area X.O as a dual-use innovation hub for rigorous testing and deployment of next-gen technologies in Canada’s diverse weather conditions. Shorey remarked that this collaboration enables the acceleration of safe, market-ready innovations that will benefit both the community and the nation economically, socially, and environmentally.

Overall, Aurrigo's launch of the Auto-Shuttle® represents a significant step towards advancing autonomous vehicle technology in Canada, with the potential to influence global standards in the field.