GM’s Oshawa tech centre expands to focus on “connected cars”

Automaker GM Canada is hiring an additional 100 software and controls engineers for its Canadian Engineering Centre in Oshawa, Ont., which will have a new focus on the “connected car” and green technologies.

GM Canada president Steve Carlisle announced the expansion of the engineering centre on April 27 in Oshawa.

“We are making this investment because we see an opportunity to take advantage of a wealth of talent in mobile technologies, software and advanced automotive engineering available in Canada’s leading universities and other partner organizations,” Carlisle said in a news release.

GM says it is expanding staff at the centre to 300 people, but also continuing research partnerships with Canadian suppliers and universities.

The company plans to make the centre an innovation hub for the “connected car,” including wireless systems that will help drivers navigate, avoid traffic jams and improve gas mileage as well as provide entertainment options.

So-called “connected cars” are automobiles that are equipped to share a variety of data online. Connected car technology is considered one of the keys to development of self-driving cars.