Windsor can leverage its advantage as the automotive capital of Canada to become the “Automobility Capital of Canada,” say the partners in a new venture to make the region a hub for innovation in emerging transportation technologies — connected, autonomous, cybersecure, and electric.

The University of Windsor is teaming up with St. Clair College and the Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation with funding support from FedDev Southwestern Ontario in the Windsor-Essex Automobility Academic Partnership Initiative.

Project manager Tom Schnekenburger describes automobility as the secure, zero-carbon movement of people, goods, and services using advanced information technologies. 

“The University of Windsor and St. Clair College play a critical role by providing pathways for our students to an emerging marketplace,” he says. “By creating strong partnerships with innovative companies, investing in research facilities, and designing curriculum to match technological trends, the academic institutions will define and develop tomorrow’s leaders.”

He will introduce the concept at a forum bringing together researchers, students, and local stakeholders on the morning of Friday, Oct. 16, to discuss, challenge, and execute a strategy to embrace automobility.

The event will be conducted over the videoconferencing platform Microsoft Teams. Find details including a registration link on the forum website.

“Register today,” says Schnekenburger. “Invite your friends and colleagues, have your voice heard and help us define our strategy.”