About WatCAR

The Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR) conducts advanced research to further automotive innovation and competitiveness.

Over the past two decades, WatCAR has played a pivotal role in enabling large-scale research and training initiatives, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government bodies. As the face of the University of Waterloo’s automotive and mobility research WatCAR has earned national and international recognition for its leadership and impact on the automotive sector.

Housed within Canada’s largest engineering school, WatCAR is a multi-disciplinary hub with members from all disciplines and across campus including Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Health, Environment and Arts. WatCAR includes hundreds of researchers that aim to drive technological advancements, support workforce development, and facilitate knowledge transfer to address the challenges and opportunities facing the automotive sector.

The automotive industry is undergoing profound transformation, driven by electrification, autonomous and connected vehicle technologies, smart infrastructure, and sustainability imperatives. WatCAR members aim to meet these changes through innovative solutions and collaborations that align with industry trends and address government priorities and policies.

WatCAR’s mission is designed to:

• Align with the evolving automotive ecosystem including electrification, intelligent transportation systems, and sustainable manufacturing.
• Strengthen support for the University of Waterloo’s automotive research community, spanning diverse disciplines and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Enhance engagement with industry and government partners to accelerate innovation, secure funding, and influence policy.
• Continue to be a leader in student training and development, and also in providing training and learning opportunities for the broader community.
• Communicate and broaden the impact of WatCAR, and ensuring research is aligned with industry needs, policy development, and societal benefits.