10 Automation Companies in Ontario to Know – Built In

Ontario’s Automation Sector and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The province of Ontario is a significant hub for automation technology, with a particular strength in industrial robotics utilized in manufacturing. The regional market is a key contributor to Canada’s national industrial robotics market, which is projected to reach approximately $188.4 million USD. Automation providers in the region are advancing both physical robotics and digital robotic process automation, positioning Ontario as a leader in reshaping modern industry. The innovation driven by these companies is instrumental in advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering economic growth, building resilient infrastructure, and promoting responsible production.

Analysis of Corporate Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

The following is a report on key automation companies operating in Ontario and their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals through technological innovation.

General Motors

General Motors utilizes artificial intelligence and robotics to automate and optimize its vehicle manufacturing processes. The company’s Canadian Technical Centre (CTC), with hubs in Oshawa and Markham, is dedicated to developing future mobility technologies. These efforts align with key sustainability objectives.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): By advancing automated manufacturing and investing in research for future transportation, the company strengthens industrial capability and fosters innovation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The development of next-generation mobility technologies contributes to creating safer, more efficient, and more sustainable urban transportation systems.

Magna International

As a mobility technology company headquartered in Aurora, Magna International engineers and manufactures automotive systems, including solutions for automated driving and autonomous delivery vehicles. Its collaboration with NVIDIA to integrate AI platforms supports the progression toward autonomous vehicles.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The design of complex automotive and autonomous systems represents a significant contribution to industrial innovation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Automated driving and driver-assist technologies enhance vehicle safety and efficiency, supporting the development of sustainable urban environments.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The creation of autonomous robotic vehicles for last-mile delivery helps optimize logistics, potentially reducing emissions and improving the efficiency of supply chains.

SharkNinja

SharkNinja manufactures consumer household appliances, including robotic vacuums and mops that employ AI, laser navigation, and computer vision for autonomous operation. The company maintains an office in Mississauga.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Automated cleaning devices contribute to improved hygiene and sanitation within homes.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The technology promotes efficiency in household maintenance, potentially leading to more conscious use of cleaning resources.

PagerDuty

PagerDuty is a software company specializing in robotic process automation for IT operations and cybersecurity. Its Runbook Automation platform enables automated workflows for incident response, reducing the need for constant human intervention.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The company’s tools help build resilient and secure digital infrastructure, which is fundamental for modern industry and economic stability.

Aveva

Aveva provides industrial software solutions that facilitate the management and construction of automated factories. These facilities leverage robotics and robotic process automation to maintain operations with minimal on-site human presence.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Aveva’s technology directly supports the development of advanced, automated industrial infrastructure.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By enabling smart factories, the company promotes efficient and sustainable industrial processes that minimize waste and optimize resource use.

Ubotica Technologies

Ubotica Technologies develops AI software and neural networks for satellites. The automated systems are designed to function in environments inaccessible for manual repair, with AI-powered capabilities to react to environmental and mechanical changes.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The firm’s work in creating autonomous satellite systems represents a significant advancement in technological infrastructure.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): AI-powered satellites can provide critical, real-time data on environmental shifts, contributing to climate monitoring and action.

Bluewrist Inc.

Bluewrist Inc. is an industrial automation provider for the manufacturing sector, focusing on automated facilities that use robotics and AI for precision tasks. Its applications span multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals and consumer products.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Automation enhances industrial productivity and promotes the creation of high-skilled jobs in technology and manufacturing.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The company builds and supports the innovative, automated systems that are essential for modern, competitive industries.

Forcen Inc.

Forcen Inc. develops force-sensing technology for the robotics sector. This innovation addresses a key limitation in automation by enabling robots to perceive and gauge pressure and torque, which is critical for delicate assembly and medical applications.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The development of tactile sensing has significant potential to enhance the capabilities of medical robotics used in surgery and patient care.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): This enabling technology expands the scope of robotic automation, fostering further innovation in advanced manufacturing and other sectors.

Daifuku

Daifuku provides automated materials handling and logistics systems for a range of applications, including warehouse automation, airport baggage handling, and semiconductor manufacturing.

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): The company’s solutions are fundamental to modernizing logistics, supply chains, and manufacturing infrastructure.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By automating materials handling, Daifuku’s systems improve efficiency, increase precision, and reduce waste in supply chains.

Avidbots

Avidbots specializes in the production of autonomous cleaning robots for commercial and public spaces. Its floor-scrubbing robot, Kas, is designed for use in environments such as hospitals, airports, schools, and retail centers.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Automated cleaning promotes higher standards of hygiene and sanitation in public and healthcare settings, which is crucial for public health.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The technology offers the potential for more efficient use of water and cleaning resources compared to manual methods.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The company’s robots help maintain clean and safe public infrastructure, contributing to the quality of urban environments.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

The article on automation companies in Ontario touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals, primarily focusing on industry, innovation, and economic growth. The key SDGs identified are:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights the growth of the automation industry in Ontario, describing it as an “engine of modern industry” with a significant national market projection of “$188.4 million USD.” This focus on a high-value, technology-driven sector directly contributes to economic growth. The presence and expansion of numerous companies like General Motors, Magna International, and Aveva imply the creation of skilled jobs and economic productivity, which are central to SDG 8.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text is centered on “innovation in industrial robotics, autonomous systems and process automation.” It showcases companies that are enhancing technological capabilities and fostering innovation. For example, General Motors’ Canadian Technical Centre is “focused on developing future mobility technologies,” and Magna International is working with NVIDIA to integrate AI for autonomous driving. This directly aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article indirectly connects to SDG 11 through innovations aimed at improving urban services and transportation. Magna International’s development of “autonomous robotic delivery vehicles designed for last-mile delivery” points towards more efficient and potentially sustainable urban logistics. Similarly, Avidbots’ autonomous cleaning robots, designed for use in public spaces like “malls,” “hospitals,” and “airports,” contribute to the maintenance and efficiency of urban infrastructure.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The theme of optimizing production and increasing efficiency through automation relates to SDG 12. The article mentions that General Motors “uses AI to optimize” its manufacturing, and companies like Bluewrist and Daifuku use robotics to “perform repetitive precision tasks” and “improve precision and efficiency.” Such advancements can lead to more sustainable production patterns by reducing waste, minimizing errors, and ensuring more efficient use of resources.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

   The entire article serves as an example of this target. It details how Ontario’s economy is being strengthened through a focus on the high-tech automation sector. The shift towards “advanced robotics on factory floors to AI systems optimizing production in real time” is a clear illustration of technological upgrading and innovation driving economic productivity.

2. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.

   Companies like Aveva, which builds “digital tools that manage engineering and industrial software for manufacturing companies,” and Bluewrist, which focuses on “automated facilities that rely on robotics,” are directly involved in retrofitting and upgrading industries. Their goal of using automation to “maintain operations with minimal on-site human intervention” and improve efficiency contributes to making industries more sustainable and resource-efficient.

3. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… and encourage innovation.

   This target is exemplified by the research and development activities described. Forcen Inc. is “attempting to solve for that barrier [lack of tactile sensing] by developing the ability for robots to sense and gauge torque and pressure.” Ubotica Technologies “makes software and neural networks for satellites,” showcasing advanced scientific application. These examples highlight a strong focus on enhancing research and upgrading technological capabilities within the industrial sector.

4. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

   Magna International’s work on “solutions for automated driving” and “autonomous robotic delivery vehicles” directly addresses the future of transportation systems. While the article doesn’t discuss accessibility or affordability, the development of these technologies is a foundational step toward creating new, potentially more sustainable and efficient transport systems as envisioned by this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 8.2: Market value of innovative industries.

  The article explicitly provides a quantitative indicator by stating the “national market projection of about $188.4 million USD” for industrial robotics in Canada. This figure can be used to track the economic growth and productivity of this high-tech sector.

• Indicator for Target 9.4: Adoption of automation and AI in manufacturing.

  The article implies this indicator by describing how companies are reshaping work. The work of Aveva in building “automated factories” and General Motors using “AI to optimize and robotics to automate its manufacturing capabilities” suggests that the rate of adoption of these advanced technologies in industrial processes is a key measure of progress.

• Indicator for Target 9.5: Investment in and development of new technologies.

  Progress can be measured by tracking the development of new technological capabilities. The article provides qualitative examples that serve as indicators, such as Forcen Inc.’s development of “tactile and force-sensing applications” and Magna’s collaboration with NVIDIA on “AI platforms.” The existence of R&D hubs like General Motors’ “Canadian Technical Centre (CTC)” is another indicator of investment in innovation.

• Indicator for Target 11.2: Development of autonomous vehicle technology.

  The creation and manufacturing of “autonomous robotic delivery vehicles” by Magna International is a direct, tangible indicator of progress in developing new forms of transport systems. The number of companies working on and deploying such technologies can be tracked to measure advancement toward this target.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: builtin.com