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• Digital Accessibility Community of Practice builds new network for campus support

• Serving up a taste of robot food delivery��

• Alumni Family Day at Canada’s Wonderland coming up in July

Digital Accessibility Community of Practice builds new network for campus support

A message from the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice.

It is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), and each day this week we are featuring a different University initiative that demonstrates a commitment to advancing accessibility and disability inclusion. Today, we are featuring the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice.

The Digital Accessibility Community of Practice is a new campus network designed to support anyone working in digital spaces to achieve compliance and strive for inclusion. The Community of Practice facilitates opportunities to ask questions about any digital tools, including web, social media, email, and documents, as well as a place for members to find events, resources, and opportunities to contribute to a campus culture of digital accessibility.

Led by Nem Radenovic (Associate Director, Digital Communications, University Relations), Amanda Vos (Digital Experience Team Lead, Co-operative and Experiential Education), and Elizabeth Rogers (Digital Experience Manager, Faculty of Arts), this new Microsoft Teams community emphasizes compliance as a process towards the end goal of truly accessible user experience. As our campuses work towards ��ݮ��Ƶ at 100, innovation in digital accessibility can act as a guide to coordinate collective efforts and ensure sustainable culture shifts towards accessibility and disability inclusion.

In a presentation to the Accessibility Ally Network on May 15, 2025, the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice encouraged members to remember that no one starts out an expert and that progress over perfection is the ultimate goal. All campus community members can join the .

National AccessAbility Week is just one opportunity to learn about accessibility and disability inclusion initiatives at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. Join the channel or connect with aoda@uwaterloo.ca for more information.

Serving up a taste of robot food delivery��

Sharif Virani (left), head of growth at Real Life Robotics, and Cameron Waite, CEO of Real Life Robotics.��

, a pioneering robotics and automation company at Velocity, University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s startup incubator, today announces a first-of-its-kind robot-powered delivery partnership with Skip, Canada’s homegrown delivery network. ��

Through an initial three-month deployment in Markham, Ont., the initiative will pave the way for enhanced innovation within the Canadian delivery ecosystem with the potential to expand across additional Canadian cities.��

Velocity-based Real Life Robotics has partnered with Skip for a robot-powered delivery pilot in Markham, Ont. ��

Building on a successful trial pilot in March — the first municipally approved sidewalk delivery pilot in Canada — Real Life Robotics and Skip have introduced four supervised delivery robots operating within a two-kilometre radius of participating restaurants on Skip’s network. ��

“We’re building a modern Canadian robotics company grounded in practicality, not hype. Our mission is simple: save time for people and make local delivery more economically and environmentally sustainable for Canadian families,” said Cameron Waite, CEO of Real Life Robotics. ��

Skip customers within Markham will be able to select the “Robot Delivery” option when placing an order from participating local restaurants. Deliveries are conducted by supervised robots featuring secure compartments that unlock upon scanning a QR code and entering a unique order code to ensure a secure and quality delivery experience for all customers. ��

The robots are equipped to carry up to 50 kilograms per delivery and are operational daily between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., ensuring deliveries are fulfilled in all weather conditions. ��

“This pilot gives customers in busy urban centres like Markham even more last-mile delivery options, enabling us to explore new technologies in a way that’s safe and accessible, putting the unique needs of each community we serve front and centre,” said Paul Sudarsan, vice president of retail and new verticals at Skip. ��

“Innovation is core to who we are at Skip – we’re a Canadian tech company built by Canadians for our communities – and our partnership with Real Life Robotics is an exciting step toward shaping the future of delivery.”��

In addition to Skip, Real Life Robotics partnered with global robotics platform Robot.com (formerly Kiwibot), which developed the autonomous-capable robots and tele-operation driving, and the Remington Group, which supports smart city integration in Markham. ��

“We’ve been impressed by the experience and leadership that the Real Life Robotics team has in the Canadian robotics market, and we think Skip is exactly the right innovative player to lead this new era in robotic meal delivery,” said J. Kim Fennell, chief business officer at Robot.com. ��

Early results of the pilot have proven robots to be an efficient means of delivery, generating lower carbon emissions than traditional delivery methods. ��

“This is about rethinking last-mile delivery in a way that serves local businesses, supports cities, and gives customers a choice,” said Sharif Virani, head of growth at Real Life Robotics. ��

“By working hand-in-hand with Skip, we're showing that sidewalk delivery isn't science fiction, it’s a practical tool that can help Canadian merchants innovate and stay competitive.”��

The three-month deployment intends to lay the groundwork for potential future expansion of Real Life Robotics’ robot delivery services nationwide. The company plans to expand its delivery efforts to operate as many as 500 robots nationally within three years.��

Alumni Family Day at Canada’s Wonderland coming in July

A message from the Office of Advancement.

You’re invited to an action-packed day of fun at Canada’s Wonderland for Alumni Family Day — Saturday, July 19!

U��ݮ��Ƶ staff, faculty, alumni, friends and family are invited for a day of play at the park with 18 roller coasters, two children’s areas and a 20-acre water park.

Take a break from the rides and meet up with the U��ݮ��Ƶ community for a fun-filled buffet lunch including a cash bar, giveaways and special guests.

Start planning your summer of fun and register for Alumni Family Day!

Register before Friday, June 13 to be automatically entered to win Fast Lane Plus passes for your party to use on Alumni Family Day.