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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix Robots Gain Human-Like Touch

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Sanctuary AI has integrated advanced tactile sensors into its Phoenix general-purpose robots, marking a breakthrough in physical AI. The Vancouver-based company says the technology enhances precision and dexterity, allowing robots to execute touch-driven tasks with greater accuracy.

CEO James Wells highlights the importance of touch in human-level dexterity, enabling features like blind picking and force control. As global labor shortages persist, Sanctuary AI’s sensor-equipped robots offer an efficient alternative to manual labor. The firm, recently ranked third globally for AI robotics patents by Morgan Stanley, continues to push autonomous labor innovation forward.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.

Kraken Robotics Secures $34M in Battery Orders, Expands in Canada

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Kraken Robotics has secured $34 million in orders for its SeaPower™ pressure-tolerant batteries, including a record $31 million order from an undisclosed defense industry client. To meet demand, Kraken is investing $10 million in a new battery production facility in Nova Scotia, expected to be operational in late 2025.

The 60,000-square-foot facility will triple production capacity and support small and medium UUV markets. Kraken aims to create 200 permanent jobs while strengthening North American subsea defense capabilities. The expansion will complement its existing German facility and support clients across the U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on GlobeNewswire.

New AI-Driven Welding Robots to Boost Industrial Automation

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Novarc Technologies has partnered with Miller Electric Mfg. LLC to develop AI-powered welding automation, enhancing efficiency in industries like shipbuilding, construction, and heavy equipment manufacturing. The collaboration integrates Novarc’s AI automation with Miller’s Copilot™ welding line, providing real-time adaptive welding solutions to tackle labor shortages and part variability challenges.

Novarc CEO Soroush Karimzadeh calls the partnership a milestone in robotic welding, while Miller’s Nate Leiteritz emphasizes its affordability and flexibility. As AI transforms industrial automation, this venture positions Novarc as a global leader in welding innovation.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.

Promise Robotics Boosts Housing Supply with Automation

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Promise Robotics is expanding its robotic homebuilding operations with a 60,000-square-foot facility in Calgary, set to open in summer 2025. The factory will produce up to 1,000,000 square feet of housing annually, helping address Canada’s housing crisis. Using its Factory-as-a-Service (FaaS) platform, the company integrates AI-powered robotics to boost efficiency and reduce resource use.

CEO Ramtin Attar emphasized that automation’s cost and complexity have kept homebuilders from adopting it—until now. The facility will support local supply chains and job creation, reinforcing Canada’s leadership in homebuilding automation while expanding operations into the U.S. market.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Calgary.tech.

TD TechCon Showcases Innovation and Talent Growth

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TD Bank Group hosted its third annual TD TechCon, an internal tech conference aimed at expanding employees’ skills and fostering innovation. The event, held in Toronto and online, featured keynotes, panels, and hands-on tech demos. Highlights included insights from TD’s Elite Inventor Program, discussions on AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, and an inspiring speech by Orlando Bowen on unity and leadership.

TD’s Vlad Shpilsky emphasized the bank’s commitment to technological advancement and workforce development. The event’s growing participation reflects TD’s focus on digital transformation and its goal of building the bank of the future.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techtalent.ca.

Vancouver’s Opal Launches Ad-Spend Card for Agencies

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Vancouver-based Opal has raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to enhance its SaaS platform for agency back-office operations. Led by Founders Co-op, with backing from Exit North Ventures and fintech entrepreneur Ian Crosby, the round supports the launch of Opal Spend, an ad-spend platform integrating payments, invoicing, and contract management.

Founded in 2024 by Alex Steele, Opal originated from his media firm, Easy Agency, to streamline financial workflows. The Opal Spend card offers virtual issuance, spend controls, and cashback rewards. With 400% growth and top engineering hires, Opal aims to be the leading financial platform for agencies.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.

Canada’s Mental Health Crisis Needs More Than Hashtags

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Mental health awareness campaigns dominate headlines annually, but critics argue they fail to address Canada’s systemic care gaps. One in five Canadians face mental illness each year, yet 6.5 million lack access to reliable healthcare, worsening the crisis. Bell Let’s Talk Day is often praised, but allegations of workplace policies contradicting its advocacy highlight concerns over corporate performativity.

Jason Morehouse, CEO of HiBoop, calls for year-round action, including funding, physician recruitment, and digital health solutions. His firm’s AI-powered platform aims to streamline mental health assessments, offering Canadians better access to care beyond hashtags and campaigns.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.

Hyperlume Raises $17.8M to Advance AI Data Center Tech

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Hyperlume has secured $17.8 million in an oversubscribed seed round to commercialize its high-bandwidth, low-latency optical interconnects for AI data centers and high-performance computing. Led by BDC’s Deep Tech Venture Fund and ArcTern Ventures, the round also saw participation from Intel Capital, LG Technology Ventures, MUUS Climate Partners, and SOSV.

Hyperlume, founded in 2022 by Mohsen Asad and Hossein Fariborzi, uses ultra-fast microLEDs to improve performance while reducing energy consumption. The company aims to scale production for 800G and 1.6T interconnects to meet growing industry demand as AI workloads surge.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on CleanEnergy.ca.

CIB Loans $194M for Free EV Charging Expansion

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The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is lending $194 million to Jolt, an Australia-based EV charging firm, to deploy 1,500 curbside chargers in Canadian cities. Users will receive seven kWh of free daily charging, funded by advertising on the stations. The project supports Canada’s push to build 40,000 public chargers annually to meet its 2035 zero-emissions vehicle target.

Jolt, which entered Canada last year, is partnering with Telus to add Wi-Fi to chargers. CIB has invested $650 million in 5,500 fast chargers. Jolt’s proposal bypassed procurement but will employ Canadian workers for installation.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

Canadian Tech Leaders Rally to Defend DEI Values

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Over 200 Canadian tech leaders have signed an open letter urging the industry to uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values amid growing opposition. The letter, dated Feb. 23, warns of a shift toward exclusionary policies, citing Shopify’s recent rollback of DEI initiatives and its brief hosting of Kanye West’s swastika T-shirt store.

Signatories include Arlene Dickinson, Erin Bury, Kayla Isabelle, and Amber Mac. The letter also criticizes the influence of elite business leaders on government policy, referencing the Build Canada initiative backed by Shopify’s Tobi Lütke and others.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.