This roundtable will explore the development of a national framework to map dual-purpose robotics capabilities—technologies that serve both civilian and defence applications—with a focus on accelerating Canadian innovation in alignment with emerging defence initiatives. As Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) launches the Borealis initiative, this session aims to position Canadian robotics innovators as strategic partners in shaping the future of defence technology by aligning directly with the initiative's core mandate of advancing AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies.

Our goal is to collaboratively review the structure of a proposed capabilities map, identify key stakeholders, and outline actionable next steps to engage DND as an early adopter of best-in-class Canadian robotics and Physical AI solutions. By fostering awareness and understanding within DND, this roundtable seeks to unlock initial project funding and lay the groundwork for a follow-up workshop and national capability map document that will generate shovel-ready projects aligned with Borealis priorities.
This session will benefit:

• Early to growth-stage robotics startups developing dual-use technologies
• Academic researchers seeking defence commercialization pathways
• Established companies exploring strategic engagement with DND

Key questions we will address include:

• What are the core components of a dual-purpose robotics capability map, and how can it be structured to align with DND priorities?
• How can Canadian innovators effectively engage with DND to secure early-stage project funding and support?
• What mechanisms exist to ensure domestic IP retention and commercialization within defence procurement frameworks?
• How can existing federal funding streams best be leveraged to advance dual-use robotics solutions? 
• What are the Canadian Robotics ecosystem's recommendations on how the Borealis initiative can be leveraged to accelerate adoption of Canadian robotics technologies?
• What are the best practices for building shovel-ready projects that meet defence standards and timelines?

Suggested Pre-Reading:

• Creating Impactful One-Pagers using the Heilmeier Catechism, a powerful framework used by DARPA to evaluate research proposals. This framework will help participants better prepare and structure their proposals for DND.