A Canadian first: Self-driving vehicle circles University of Waterloo campus

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Apr 4, 2017

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By: University of Waterloo

Left to right: Alex Rodrigues, Brandon Moak and Michael Skupien of Varden Labs

Two University of Waterloo engineering students completed an Enterprise Co-op term by creating the first autonomous vehicle to drive on a Canadian road.

Michael Skupien and Alex Rodrigues, founders of Varden Labs, developed the autonomous shuttle during an e-co-op term, a signature program run through Waterloo’s Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre. In e-co-op, students launch businesses while earning a co-operative education credit. Both Skupien and Rodrigues completed their e-co-op term as second-year students in Waterloo’s Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering program.

Varden Labs won $35,000 at the Spring 2015 Velocity Fund Finals and both Rodrigues and Skupien lived in the Velocity Residence, a dorm for Waterloo students who are building companies. The team members hope their technology will power fully autonomous electric shuttles that can be used on university campuses, corporate campuses and in retirement communities around the world.

“We’ve been in the Velocity program for more than a year now and it’s been an amazing experience,” said Rodrigues. “Over time, experiences, connections and interactions have helped us do amazing things as entrepreneurs.”

Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, was the first passenger in the milestone ride around campus held on Tuesday August 18, 2015.

“I am so pleased for these bright, ambitious students as they take this next important step in the development of their impressive invention,” said Hamdullahpur. “Waterloo encourages this kind of innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, and so it is thrilling for us when we can witness students like Alex and Michael embark on their own exciting journey. I liked riding in their vehicle so much that I wish I had one for facing traffic on the 401 to Toronto.”

Varden Labs has since spent some time with the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator, during which they refined their prototype, a converted golf cart.

Transcript

Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, and Varden Labs co-founder Alex Rodrigues circle the Waterloo main campus in the first autonomous vehicle to drive on a Canadian road.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 4

David Cameron Salter, chairperson of Marathon Electric Vehicles Incorporated of Saint-Léonard-de-Port-Maurice, Québec, with the Marathon C-300 he drove. Éric Hamovitch, “Marathon implante ‘l’électrique’ en douce.” Le Soleil, 19 July 1979, B 7.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 3

Louis Gyory, on the right, aboard a Marathon C-300 electric vehicle. Michael Shelton, “Seeds of post-gasoline era sown in Montreal – Electric vehicle makes its debut.” The Montreal Star, 27 August 1977, 25.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 2

The experimental hybrid automobile completed by Briggs & Stratton Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Anon., “Driver Decides Speed, Range – ‘Performance Flexibility’ Cited.” Statesville Record & Landmark, 14 November 1979, 1-D.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country.” – The Hungarian Canadian Louis Gyory and the unfulfilled future of his electric and hybrid vehicles, part 1

The roadster of the Société anonyme des automobiles électriques, Concours des véhicules électriques, Paris, France. Charles Dantin, “Automobiles – Les Essais contrôlés de véhicules à traction électrique à accumulateurs (octobre 1924).” Le Génie civil, 27 December 1924, 589.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 4

The stand of the Compagnie parisienne des voitures électriques at the Exposition internationale de l’automobile, du cycle et des sports, Paris, France. Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger was at its entrance. Anon., “Le Salon de l’automobile.” Le Monde Illustré, 19 December 1903, 551.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 3

Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger, on the left, at the wheel of an Électrolette a few moments before the beginning of his journey between Paris and Chatellerault, France. Georges Prade was at his side. Georges Prade, “Les records électriques.” La Vie au Grand Air, 27 October 1901, 638.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 2

A typical hybrid vehicle of the Compagnie parisienne des voitures électriques of Paris, France. Lucien Fournier, “La voiture mixte Kriéger.” La Locomotion automobile, 7 July 1904, 422.

“Petrol will never kill electricity, especially if the latter is defended by a Kriéger.” Louis Antoine Jules Tony Kriéger and his electric automobiles, including some of the first hybrid vehicles on planet Earth, part 1

$A technician conducting the first corrosion detection trial, on a Boeing Model 727 test airframe, using a Diffracto DAIS-500 non destructive testing equipment, 1992. National Research Council Canada.$

“It is only with the DAIS that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” – A respectful look at a great Canadian aerospace invention, the Diffracto DAIS non destructive testing equipment, and a bit more, part 1

The Bollée Voiturette which completed the Paris-Marseille-Paris race of October 1896. Anon., Paris-Marseille-Paris (1711 kilomètres) – Course de voitures automobiles organisée par l’automobile-club de France. (Paris: Publications du journal Le Génie Civil, 1896), 49.

A brief portrait of a dynamic duo of dentists from Québec, Québec, Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, born Gaudreau, during the Belle Époque – and a little something on their first horseless carriage, a Bollée Voiturette, part 3

Léon Auguste Antoine Bollée and a young woman aboard a typical Bollée Voiturette, circa 1896. Max de Nansouty, Chemins de fer – Automobiles (Merveilles de la Science, 5) (Paris: Ancienne Librairie Furne, 1913), 43.

A brief portrait of a dynamic duo of dentists from Québec, Québec, Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, born Gaudreau, during the Belle Époque – and a little something on their first horseless carriage, a Bollée Voiturette, part 2

Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, née Gaudreau, enjoying a winter ride in their modified Bollée Voiturette horseless carriage. Anon., “Blätter und Blüten – Ein motorschlitten.” Die Gartenlaube, 14 February 1899, 98.

A brief portrait of a dynamic duo of dentists from Québec, Québec, Henri Edmond Casgrain and Marie Wilhelmine Emma Casgrain, born Gaudreau, during the Belle Époque – and a little something on their first horseless carriage, a Bollée Voiturette, part 1

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