Markham-based Emergent Solutions Inc. is reducing the complexity and challenges of running advanced computing and artificial intelligence solutions in remote, dangerous, and complex environments. The company has developed an Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) solution that combines edge computing, software management, communication, and AI into one industrialized package.
AIoT is an evolution of the Internet of Things technology used across factories and offices today, said Emergent Solutions CEO Louis Lambert.
“If you think about the edge computing, it's getting all this sensor data and then it's making an informed decision. AIoT is the fusion of IoT and AI into one platform,” he said.
The company’s solutions are being used in environments including remote oil and gas facilities, mines, utilities, and in defence. In addition to being an all-in-one computing platform, Lambert said the solution also supports clients with advanced radio technology to support communication in areas with poor cellular coverage.
Lambert described the communication technology as an advanced version of the “rabbit ears” antennas our parents or grandparents had on their TVs. The Emergent Solution system includes Bluetooth, WiFi, LTE, and 5G in one system.
“You could go to the cottage and watch a station from 40 miles away. We use the same spectrum to provide high capacity communication in remote locations. This is especially important for oil and gas and defense,” Lambert said. “We’re innovating to make it simpler for the industrial world to deploy edge computing.”
Emergent Solutions’ systems were developed as dual-use technologies for civilian and defence customers. The Government of Canada is working to strengthen its defence supply chain with major investments including $241 million through the National Research Council to support Canadian businesses developing defence and dual‑use technologies and $6 billion in funding through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to help scale production.
Lambert said the changing nature of battlefield technology makes Emergent Solutions technology crucial as the use of drones increases.
“In a conflict the first thing that will go down is GPS and communication. Having the ability from a defense perspective to be completely autonomous and run mission software is going to be a decisive factor in success,” he said.
Emergent Solutions is one of many companies developing dual-use technologies at ventureLab. The company was originally based in Ottawa, and Lambert said moving it to Markham was an easy decision.
“The GTA is an international hub for air travel. If you're going to have people come in from the Middle East or South America, you want them to get to your office as easily as possible. Once they land in Toronto, they're here,” he said.
Markham’s reputation as Canada’s largest tech hub and the diversity of companies here are also reasons Lambert said Markham just makes sense.
“There's a lot of rugged engineering capability in GTA and there's a lot of hardware engineering. You’ve got some of the best companies in the hardware and hard tech based in the area. Not only that, but it’s a great place to live,” Lambert said. “I used to live downtown and moved here 20 years ago for work and have never regretted the move.”
