apmaTEC: Autonomous Vehicle Technology Wanted
Before connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs) are deployed on Canadian roads, there must be significant improvements to how these systems work. Individual technologies must be improved, and their integration needs to be thoroughly tested to ensure driver safety. While innovators have historically had few opportunities to develop and test connected and autonomous vehicle technologies, a new program called apmaTEC will help emerging pre-commercial innovations reach original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for adoption in the next generation of self-driving vehicles.
apmaTEC is an initiative led by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) and the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN). It supports innovators as they test, validate and showcase novel technologies for OEMs and automotive suppliers. Through the program, AVIN will equip a fleet of 20 vehicles (including sedans, busses, utility vehicles, minivans, and SUVs) with up to 10 C/AV technologies each. Technologies are thoroughly tested and showcased to top automotive companies.
To participate in apmaTEC, vehicle technology developers must submit a proposal. Proposals can be submitted year-round.
Companies interested in the program should develop an application package and submit it as soon as its technology is ready for testing. Although there is no deadline for applications, accessing the program early can help generate useful data and feedback on the innovation and further help its development and/or commercialization.
What is the apmaTEC Automotive Technology Program?
apmaTEC is a competitive, proposal-based program that awards connected and autonomous vehicle technology developers access to AVIN’s Technology Demonstration Zone in Stratford, Ontario. Over the next five years (2018-2022), apmaTEC will build a fleet of 20 vehicles, equipped with innovative technologies, to test and demonstrate them to potential Tier-1/2 suppliers and OEMs.
Each vehicle deployed in the apmaTEC program will demonstrate up to 10 innovative C/AV automotive technologies.
How to Qualify for apmaTEC
To participate in the apmaTEC program, innovators must:
- Be a small or medium-sized company (SME) with less than 500 employees and less than $1 billion in global revenue;
- Have operations based in Ontario; and
- Own the intellectual property (IP) for a commercial-ready innovation that has a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7-9.
How to Participate in the apmaTEC Program
To apply for the apmaTEC program, eligible companies must complete an intake form and a AVIN APMA DZ Supplier Agreement. These two documents should be sent to Colin Dhillon, APMA’s Chief Technical Officer. All technology proposals are reviewed by the AVIN/APMA Demonstration Zone ‘Advanced Technology Working Group’ (ATWG). Upon completion of this review, applicants are notified whether they’ve been selected or not.
All questions regarding apmaTEC should be directed to Colin Dhillon: cdhillon@apma.ca.