On Tour: APMA’s Connected Car is Making the Rounds

Touring paid off big for Peter Frampton back in the 70s. Fast forward to today and some of Canada’s high-tech auto parts makers are hoping to get noticed as the country’s first connected vehicle hits the road.

Donated by Toyota Canada and assembled at the carmaker’s plant in Cambridge, Ont., the concept 2014 Lexus RX350 crossover was unveiled at APMA’s annual conference in Windsor, and is the result of APMA’s Connected Car Initiative.

Tricked out with advanced features and technology from 13 companies — ranging from established players such as Magna International, Leggatt, and Platt Automotive to such up-and-comers as B.R.A.K.E.R.S., Early Warning Systems Inc., and Weather Telematics — the car is designed to put Canada’s auto sector squarely on the autonomous vehicle map, according to APMA president Steve Rodgers. The car features an Internet connection, wireless charging capability, side- and rear-view cameras with 360-degree views, adjustable LED lighting, and alcohol lock interface that prevents a driver from taking the wheel after one too many pops. “Additionally, technology from Weather Telematics warns drivers of road conditions, including black ice, while a system from B.R.A.K.E.R.S. alerts drivers to emergency vehicles, flooding, tornado alerts, and bridge collapses,” Rodgers said.

From June through September, the car was featured at a variety of international automotive trade shows and taken to manufacturing plants in both Canada and the U.S. When not on tour, it’s housed at the University of Waterloo. And it’s not a one-off: APMA plans to launch similar future vehicle projects to incorporate a wider array of suppliers, emerging technologies, and automotive platforms to demonstrate autonomous capabilities.

“APMA’s connected vehicle program is meant to be a launch point for the promotion of Canadian innovation and technology on a global scale,” Rodgers said. “The contributing members have the opportunity to demonstrate the value of their products and services to global vehicle OEMs and show the world the power of Canadian ingenuity. Most importantly, the connected vehicle program will cultivate a cluster of like-minded Canadian industry groups to further innovation in the connected transportation industry, which in turn has the potential to create new jobs and other economic possibilities in Canada.”

To modify Peter Frampton, the connected car really is coming alive.