Ontario and Michigan are launching a cross-border automated vehicle test drive that is North America’s first.
The move is to promote auto sector innovation and to create jobs and aid the economy, the provincial government says.
The vehicles are made by Ontario's Magna International and Michigan's Continental Automotive North America. They include innovative features like traffic jam assist, lane keeping, and technology measuring driver fatigue
Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca and federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, were in Windsor Monday to mark the milestone.
The test drive began in Detroit and was to continue from Windsor to Sarnia before crossing back over the border. The drive will conclude in Traverse City, Mich. with the signing of an agreement between Ontario and Michigan to continue collaboration in testing, developing and marketing automated and connected vehicle technology.
But some are concerned the technology could mean fewer jobs.
"If a truck were to get into an autonomous truck, they may be able to be in that truck longer. They could be in there for 15 or 16 hours. That might mean less truckers," says Mark Bartlett of Unifor Local 444.
Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains argues the new technology will create future growth and more jobs.
"The Great Lakes region is an economic powerhouse," says Bains. "This is an automotive region and cluster that's second to none. It's number one in North America to continue on that success we need to incorporate these technologies."
