Concept EV takes spotlight at auto show in Canada

A concept electric vehicle called Project Arrow was featured at the media preview of the 2023 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, where the electrification of the automobile was a major focus.

"We are headed full steam towards an electric-vehicle future, and that is reflected in this year's AutoShow," said Jason Campbell, general manager of the event. "All of our manufacturer partners at this year's show have electric, hydrogen or hybrid vehicle options for people to browse; but we are taking that a step further with our EV test track, giving consumers a chance to try an electric vehicle out for themselves from behind the wheel."

The result of a collaboration of more than 50 partners led by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA), the Project Arrow concept car — which previously received a FedDev Ontario investment of more than $5 million — is an answer to the challenge of the Canadian government to be at net zero emissions by 2050.

The Canadian government has mandated that all new vehicles sold in the country by 2035 be zero-emission vehicles. Sales of EVs in Canada crossed the 5 percent threshold last year, and patterns around the world have shown that number as the tipping point — market share of EVs is expected to skyrocket in the next few years.

"Project Arrow is a ground-breaking show of Canada's most advanced zero-emissions, lightweight, connected and autonomous automotive technology," said Flavio Volpe, president of the APMA. "Inspired by the incredible innovation story of the Avro Arrow, the concept vehicle prototype project was launched as a platform for a vehicle of the future technologies, developed, commercialized and built in Canada."

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, who attended the preview, tweeted: "Here is the Project Arrow, the first all-Canadian zero emission vehicle prototype."

All parts of the vehicle were made in Canada, except the touch screen, which is provided by Lenovo, a Chinese multinational technology company.

"Arrow works only with the world's leading vendors, selecting market leading innovators like Lenovo that will expand our channel partners' product portfolios and improve revenue opportunities whilst ensuring customer satisfaction," says Arrow's website.

EVs have been highly popular this year, and the AutoShow has more electric-powered cars and trucks on the floor than ever. But the theme is also seen in a showcase of new and innovative ways people will be able to get around.

"Electrification of mobility and urban design trends that encourage close-knit neighbourhoods have inspired innovators to explore new ways for people to get around," said Campbell. "This has resulted in some unique and interesting personal vehicles that are ideal for short commutes and urban travel, or to meet the needs of people who have mobility challenges, but still like — or need — to move about."

Among the new and innovative modes of transportation are Amego Electric Vehicles, SARIT, Potential Motors, Glüxkind, Universal Motion and LoopX AI.

LoopX AI is a Waterloo-based startup founded in 2022 by a group of mostly Chinese roboticists from the University of Waterloo.

"We want to make a solution for automatic driving … which can be used in various vehicles with this program," Zhang Jingwei, COO of the LoopX told China Daily at the AutoShow.

They have created an all-weather autonomous delivery Robot, GoosEx, to deliver food at the University of Waterloo campus.

The Robot equipped with a suit of sensors has delivered more than 500 orders all over the university since they started the trial operation in January.

The 10-day AutoShow (Feb 17-26) has been the largest national celebration of the automobile industry for 50 years, welcoming more than 330,000 visitors annually. It also is returning from a two-year hiatus.