Ottawa, Ontario – December 19, 2024 – InDro Robotics, a leading Canadian R&D company in drones and ground robots, demonstrated its prototype Street Smart Robot (SSR) – designed to monitor municipal bike lanes to ensure they’re safe for cyclists.
The SSR was made possible through a nearly $1.4 million investment, comprised of a technology partnership with Rogers Business valued at $930,000 and with $465,000 from the Ontario government through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
“With a world-class innovation ecosystem, Ontario continues to lead in the development of new mobility technologies and solutions,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “InDro Robotics’ prototype Smart Street Robot represents the best of our province’s cutting-edge tech research and development that is creating solutions for real-world challenges, and we congratulate them on this milestone.”
“The Street Smart Robot is designed to greatly enhance the safety of bicycle lanes, particularly during winter,” says InDro Robotics CEO Philip Reece. “InDro is pleased to be partnering with Rogers and OVIN on this endeavour.”
The Street Smart Robot will scan bicycle lanes and adjacent roadways for obstacles, potholes – even ice and snow – and other objects or conditions of concern. That information will be automatically relayed to municipalities so that issues which pose safety concerns can be quickly remedied. The SSR uses Computer Vision and Machine Learning to help it detect anomalies. It also employs multiple LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) sensors and depth cameras to sense its environment and avoid obstacles.
The tele-operated robot can operate in all weather conditions and uses tank-like tracks to manoeuvre on snow and ice. Though it will initially be tele-operated remotely by a human, SSR will eventually be able to carry out tasks autonomously.
Communication with the robot, and data-sharing with municipalities, will be carried out over the high-speed Rogers 5G network, with Rogers Communications providing networking hardware and technical support. The robotic platform of the SSR and many of its smart capabilities were designed and assembled by InDro Robotics at its Area X.O R&D engineering center in Ottawa.
“Rogers is proud to work alongside InDro Robotics and OVIN to improve public safety,” said Tom Turner, President, Rogers Business. “By leveraging the Rogers 5G hybrid Private Wireless Network, we’re able to help build safer communities through real-time detection and reporting.”
“Ontario is home to innovators and game-changers that are shaping the future of mobility on the global stage. The growth of multi-modal transportation, combined with weather-related challenges, presents a unique opportunity for Ontario companies to commercialize leading-edge solutions that make our roads safer and travel more efficient,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “This groundbreaking technology showcases the unparalleled caliber of Ontario SMEs in addressing significant mobility challenges—and more broadly, the province’s capacity to foster innovation and accelerate their time to market.”
The unveiling of the SSR prototype is the first step on the path to testing, validating and ultimately commercializing a fully autonomous version of the product. InDro is exploring commercializing a final version of the product, leasing it to cities with bike lanes that would benefit from monitoring.
“Safer streets for everyone – including cyclists – is part of the Smart City of the future,” says Reece. “The Street Smart Robot is an important step along that road.”
About InDro Robotics: With bureaux in multiple Canadian cities, InDro Robotics is the Canadian leader in Robotics Research and Development, along with complex UAV solutions, service provision and training. With a motto of Invent, Enhance, Deploy – InDro creates custom solutions and products for some of the biggest technology companies in the world, as well as smaller clients. InDro’s drones and robots can be remotely tele-operated with near-zero latency from nearly anywhere on the planet.
Media Contact: To arrange an interview with Philip Reece, email InDro here.
About Rogers
Rogers is a proud Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading technology and media company that strives to provide the very best in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). If you want to find out more about us, visit about.rogers.com.
About OVIN: The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies. Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies.