Ottawa's drone and autonomous technology sector took centre stage on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at GCXpo, an annual showcase of unmanned technology held at Area X.O. More than 1,600 government officials, investors and industry leaders turned out, and about 100 exhibitors took part.
A proving ground on Woodroffe Avenue
Area X.O is a 1,866-acre facility on the former site of the Ottawa Biotechnology Incubation Centre on Woodroffe Avenue, now turned into a proving ground for drones, self-driving vehicles and other autonomous tech. For a single day, it became the meeting point for the people building that technology and the people who might fund or buy it.
Kanata's Robotics Centre scales up
Among the exhibitors was Charles Barlow, founder and CEO of drone manufacturer Robotics Centre. He put that figure in a sobering global context, pointing to drone usage in the war in Ukraine: "Ten thousand is like two days' use in Ukraine right now."
Barlow argued Canada needs to think differently about its own preparedness. "The best thing that we can do as a country in my opinion is turn ourselves into a bit of a hedgehog so that we're not an easy target," he said.
H2 Analytics posts big growth numbers
Also exhibiting was Hugo Hodgett, founder and CEO of Ottawa-based H2 Analytics. His company has grown to 47 employees and increased its revenues by more than 550 per cent over the past three years, a pace that underlines how quickly Ottawa's unmanned systems companies are scaling up from startups into established suppliers.
Military buyers are watching Ottawa's drone scene
GCXpo wasn't just industry talking to itself. Lt.-Col. Nick Verreault, who heads the Canadian Armed Forces' Joint Uncrewed Systems Office, was on hand as the military works through its Defence Drone Initiative. The program lets companies apply to join a pool of suppliers that the Canadian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard can call on for specific products and services, including testing and developing prototypes.
Invest Ottawa says the connections are paying off
Area X.O is operated by Invest Ottawa, whose CEO, Sonya Shorey, said the value of events like GCXpo goes beyond a day of demonstrations. She said companies have gotten their first investments because of relationships formed at the event, a reminder that for Ottawa's drone and autonomous vehicle companies, a room full of government officials and investors can translate directly into funding.
Why it matters for Ottawa
Sources: Ottawa Business Journal
