Rogers and OVIN launch a 5G transportation challenge for SMEs
by CM Staff
SMEs are encouraged to submit their proof-of-concept ideas by May 2.
TORONTO — Rogers Communications and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) have launched a 5G challenge for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that operate in Ontario to try and accelerate innovation in the automotive sector. Leveraging the Rogers 5G testbed in the David Johnston Research + Technology Park at the University of Waterloo and working with global leaders including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division and Ericsson, Rogers is bringing together a 5G ecosystem to drive the future of transportation technology.
“This 5G Transportation Challenge will bring to life innovative new transportation solutions driven by our world-class 5G network,” said Jorge Fernandes, Chief Technology Officer, Rogers Communications. “The whole sector is being transformed by the possibilities that come with 5G, and we’re confident that the smart-city use-cases that will come out of this new challenge will help fuel future innovation.”
As part of the challenge, mobility and transportation SMEs that operate in Ontario, including designers, innovators and strategists, are encouraged to envision how they might use the Rogers 5G network for a ultra-low latency application, using the benefits of 5G networks, high precision positioning technologies and multi-access edge computing (MEC).
Winners will be able to demonstrate and showcase their applications on site at the David Johnston Research + Technology Park using the Rogers 5G-enabled testbed, which is an element of the 5G Smart Campus lit up as part of the Rogers multi-year partnership with the University of Waterloo. Winners will also have the opportunity to innovate at the edge of the Rogers 5G network with AWS for edge computing and leverage high accuracy positioning technology from Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division and Ericsson. Potential solutions may involve dynamic map sharing, more accurate navigation, smart infotainment, real-time traffic updates and infrastructure-assisted autonomous vehicle perception.
“Through OVIN, we’re building a network that is driving the future of the automotive and mobility sector to build safer, cleaner, and more efficient transportation,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “Ontario is at the forefront of this industry transformation, and we are excited to partner with Rogers on this challenge, to continue to drive prosperity for the province through 5G innovation.”
SMEs are encouraged to submit their proof-of-concept ideas by May 2. On May 24, finalists will be announced and will be invited to pitch their ideas live to a panel of judges, which includes leaders from Rogers and the Ontario Centre for Innovation, as well as Ericsson, Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division, AWS and the University of Waterloo. As part of the program, the winning SMEs will work closely with Rogers and its partners to help further develop their solutions.
