EmTech 2020 Review

EmTech 2020: A year in review

Last year, we started a new journey where over $1 Million (CAD) was invested in Research and Development (R&D). By participating in the XIVT (pronounced “shift”) project, we have engaged with 32 team members (PhD’s, MSc, engineers, and students) in different projects.

We had conducted over 10,000 hours of research and brainstorming sessions. Our time included attending webinars and virtual events such as Cyber Security & Cloud Expo Europe Virtual, APMA events, etc. Also, we developed three patents that were in the submission procedure.

As the result, over 16 new tools or applications were learned and utilized by the EmTech team such as Robot Operating System (ROS), Gazebo, Unity,Carla, etc.

The EmTech team developed a framework for model-based integration testing of CAVs. This solution enabled the generation of over 1M critical test cases that cover more than 170 automotive components and supported seven different vehicle communication protocols.

The EmTech team developed a Quality Assurance solution, named xCog, that accelerated automated testing for cognitive systems. xCog was created as a proprietary model-based testing solution that automated the generation of test cases for cognitive systems utilizing industry-standard simulation software for AI, Robotics, and Autonomy. The current solution covered the execution of up to 50,000 test cases in a simulated environment with the integration of over 50 test injectors.

To automate accessibility testing, the EmTech team developed a solution that ensured website content and the user interface complied with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) requirements. This solution utilized many features such as an in-house built web scraper for Smart Accessibility testing and a page counter for smart accessibility work quotes. In order to follow the Guidelines for World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), we used AI to test the requirements, such as “making sure that the alternative text/name for an image is appropriate based on the context”.

In the context of testing highly configurable, variant-rich embedded systems, the EmTech team developed two tools named BeVAR and RiSco through international collaboration in the XIVT project. BeVAR is a requirement-based variability modeling tool which intakes requirement specification document and generates a set of product variants. RiSco is a risk-based test scoring tool that prioritizes test cases based on a pre-defined risk criterion (such as Safety and Security risks).

In the automotive market, it is crucial to identify threats and security flaws for a secure system. Thus, the EmTech team worked toward mitigating cybersecurity risks in CAVs through expanding its proprietary cybersecurity framework in collaboration with Ontario Tech University (OTU). Together, with a state-of-the-art report, a white paper was produced on Cybersecurity for CAVs.

Confidence in the quality of map data for autonomous vehicle experience is crucial. Thus, it is required to develop a methodology to fully test the raw map data and improve its quality. Utilizing the knowledge gained from the XIVT project collaboration, we developed a solution to test High-Definition (HD) maps for autonomous vehicles. The results were promising.

We joined the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) in 2020. APMA members can participate in the association’s affairs through the committees (e.g., Marketing & Strategic Initiatives, Innovation & Technology and Annual Conference, etc.).

We partnered with Queen’s University through an internship program, named the Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP). This program offers employers an opportunity to hire interns for a 12–16 months period. This program was developed for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of Arts and Science, and the School of Computing.

We’ve joined Canada’s Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster (NGen) community. NGen is a not-for-profit organization that matched manufacturing companies with new technologies to drive advanced manufacturing in Canada. The NGen community has more than 3,000 members who provide excellent access to channel partners and other members.

We have participated in 2020 Virtual B2B Matchmaking with Automotive/ICT Companies in Korea. This program is available through Ontario Trade Commissioner Service. We have reached out to some Korean companies and had great progress in establishing a relationship with our Korean counterparts.