Municipalities must be at the forefront of adopting innovations

A self-driving robot for eco-friendly deliveries, AI-driven air monitoring to track emissions and autonomous systems to inspect and maintain essential infrastructure like roads and sewage systems were just a few of the technologies pitched at the Communitech Fast Track Cities Showcase Event to improve municipal services and help cities keep up with rapid urban growth.

The event, held Thursday at the Kitchener Public Library, was a collaboration between Communitech Fast Track Cities, the Pitch Kitchener program at the City of Kitchener and the Municipal Innovation Council and its member municipalities of Bruce County.

“This event is a testament to the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines Kitchener,” said Kitchener City Councillor Scott Davey. “Municipalities must be at the forefront of adopting innovations.”

In September, the Fast Track Cities team and partners put out a national call to tech companies to propose solutions focused on:

• Inspection of larger sanitary trunk sewer systems
• Autonomous technology solutions
• Tech for tourism management
• Artificial intelligence for administrative efficiency
• Innovating transportation and mobility solutions

“We had a record number of applications for this Fast Track Cities cohort,” said Carleigh Johnston, Senior Program Manager of Communitech Fast Track Cities.

These 10 Canadian founders were selected to pitch their market-ready solutions:

• ApoSys Technologies Inc. specializes in infrastructure inspection with autonomous systems for high-precision sewage monitoring. Its AI capabilities enable defect detection and predictive maintenance, reducing emergency repairs and enhancing safety.
• Chillwall AI’s Quest platform uses AI to personalize recommendations based on users’ preferences, driving traffic to local businesses and fostering economic inclusion. It connects residents and tourists to authentic community experiences.
• ConeLabs Inc offers a collaborative, AI-powered inspection platform that accelerates structural health assessments by 50 per cent, reducing errors. Its in-house technology transforms inspection workflows from image intake to final reporting.
• Cumuless is an AI assistant that provides quick answers to policy and technical questions directly in Microsoft Teams and Slack, connecting employees to experts for more complex queries and supporting efficient operations.
• dependbuild’s AI-driven software helps municipalities manage infrastructure projects efficiently by streamlining workflows, consolidating data and automating risk management – meeting budget, schedule and ESG goals.
• Ecosystem Informatics Inc. provides AI-driven air monitoring to track emissions, identify hotspots and plan pollution remediation. This proprietary AI ensures accurate, reliable data for effective decision-making.
• Guideline‘s SMS-based platform enhances visitor experiences with real-time guidance and recommendations, helping municipalities and event organizers manage traffic flow, reduce congestion and improve public safety without requiring an app.
• Hop In Technologies offers logistics software for workforce management, improving recruitment and retention. The Commuter Connect service creates custom transit routes, addressing commute challenges and helping companies attract and retain talent.
• Real Life Robotics uses self-driving robots (BUBS) for eco-friendly last-mile delivery in Canada. BUBS helps local businesses compete by offering affordable, convenient deliveries straight to customers’ doorsteps.
• TextGenetic AI Inc. develops AI software tailored for predictive analytics and real-time data processing. Leveraging advanced technologies, the company’s products meet the evolving needs of clients across various industries.

The showcase highlighted growing concerns among municipalities. For example, as populations increase, infrastructure must evolve. However, many regions are faced with outdated systems and aging structures, like bridges and roadways, that require regular monitoring, inspection and repair to meet the demands of urban growth.

“Each one of these structures needs to be inspected. The problem? We can’t keep up,” said Albert Mansour, co-founder and CEO of ConeLabs.

“We’re solving real-world problems with real robots,” said Sharif Virani, Head of Growth at Real Life Robotics, who discussed the potential of autonomous technology solutions to improve city service delivery. He told the audience that while nearly half of organizations are exploring automation, many lack the technical expertise to fully harness its potential.

“Big data comes with big costs, but you can only unlock big savings if you know how to use it,” said Virani. He welcomed ZOOBER, the company’s autonomous delivery robot, to the stage at the showcase event, which is currently involved in a delivery service project at the Toronto Zoo. ZOOBER has been helping streamline operations, allowing staff to focus on more critical tasks like animal care and conservation while delivering significant economic savings.

The presenting companies competed for cash prizes for the best pitch, with ConeLabs securing a $25,000 prize, ApoSys being awarded $15,000, and Real Life Robotics receiving $10,000. ConeLabs was also recognized with an Audience Choice Award.

The pitches were evaluated by a panel of judges including Mauro Rossi, VP of Strategic Initiatives at Communitech, Courtney Zinn, Manager of ERP and Strategy Support at the City of Kitchener, and Tony Houad, Director of Municipal Innovation Council.

The Fast Track Cities Solution Showcase is supported by EY, the City of Kitchener, the Municipal Innovation Council and its member municipalities of Bruce County, Ontario Centre of Innovation, OVIN, and the Government of Ontario.

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Original article written by Rosie Del Campo and published on communitech.ca at 22 November 2024