Vancouver is one of the hottest technology hubs in North America.
With so much news, data, and events to cover across the city and province, Techcouver leans on professionals in the field to help keep our audience properly informed and up-to-date.
Our first edition highlighted innovation in the restaurant industry, which was among the most upended business models when the Pandemic struck.
This month, we fix our gaze on robotics and AI, where a diverse array of firms are advancing and leveraging cutting-edge tech to create transformative applications.
When it comes to tech in BC, people are becoming quickly aware that AI represents an area of of disruption and opportunity.
The Evolution of Robotics
Strategic Exits Partners, a Vancouver-based tech M&A advisory firm, recently published a study analyzing seven years of global investments in the robotics sector.
Amid uncertain times marked by warfare, inflation, interest rate hikes, and stock market adjustments, the research reveals the resilience and dynamic nature of the robotics investment landscape, according to Len Zapalowski, a partner at Strategic Exits.
“These have been perilous times: a war, sudden reappearance of inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and a major stock market correction,” he wrote this month.
Investment in robotics has not slowed down, however, but rather maintained its pace, noted Zapalowski—parallel to advances in robotics technology itself.
Regional examples of emerging or rapidly growing robotics firms include Apera AI, Phoenix creator Sanctuary AI, and Nexera Robotics. Recently, Human in Motion Robotics secured a significant investment from Korean firm Beno Holdings, reflecting North America’s growing prominence in robotics mobility.
Strategic Exits Partners continues to monitor trends in the automation industry and their implications for exit strategies.
Artificially Intelligent Everything
Tech is playing a crucial role in shaping the real estate industry in BC, according to Jamie Squires, president of Fifth Ave Real Estate Marketing.
Emerging tech such as AI is taking over virtually every step of real estate, whether buying, selling, or marketing houses. Every aspect, from financing to furnishing, is touched on by tech today.
“Currently, the market is experiencing a shift towards digitalization, with more real estate professionals and developers adopting innovative technologies to create more efficient and streamlined processes,” she wrote this month. “From online property listings to virtual tours … It is expected that technology will continue to play a significant role in the industry, with advancements in artificial intelligence and data analytics providing more accurate and personalized insights for both buyers and sellers.”
The real estate industry is adapting. The most disruptive trends in real estate technology are virtual reality, AI, and blockchain.
“The benefits of this technology are undeniable, as it improves efficiency and accessibility while creating new opportunities,” Squires said, noting how over 90% of homebuyers use online resources during their home search process. “As technology continues to evolve, its role in the Vancouver real estate market will become even more prominent and will continue to play a critical role in both the buying and selling process.”
The evolving landscape of technology and housing in British Columbia underscores the adaptive nature of the province. Whether it’s digitizing cumbersome processes, transforming non-residential spaces into homes, or enabling individuals to invest in real estate projects like never before, we continue to document the interplay between tech and housing as more people than ever live, work, and thrive in BC.
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