Founded 25 years ago in Richmond Hill, the company started as a security systems integrator. Today, it stands at the forefront of a new industry: AI-powered “smart government” technology that helps cities detect and respond to issues before residents even notice them.

“Five years ago, we began developing artificial intelligence solutions that turn ordinary service vehicles into mobile data systems,” says Roy Tal, CEO of Visual Defence. “They can spot road hazards, graffiti, damaged signage, or snow clearing needs automatically, helping municipalities manage resources efficiently and make daily life a little better for residents.”

The company’s flagship platform, CityRover, was first piloted right here in Richmond Hill. What began as a local experiment has since expanded across Canada and into the United States, earning Visual Defence and its municipal partners over 35 innovation awards along the way.

A Growing Industry with Local Roots

Visual Defence’s growth mirrors the rise of smart city technology worldwide, but Tal says the company’s foundation in Richmond Hill has been a strategic advantage. “The city has been an amazing partner,” he explains. “They were the first to test our system and believed in the vision early on.”

Being based in Richmond Hill also helps attract the kind of talent that drives innovation. “Our location gives us access to the best of both worlds,” says Tal. “We’re close to Toronto’s tech ecosystem but without the congestion. That balance makes it easier to hire and retain great people.”

Today, Visual Defence’s year-over-year growth is powered by a diverse team of AI developers, software engineers, project managers, and data specialists. Tal describes the culture as smart, engaged, and purpose-driven. “Our people take pride in knowing their work improves real communities,” he says. “It’s not abstract. You can see the results on the streets every day.”

Innovation That Keeps Moving

While its in-vehicle systems are transforming how cities manage maintenance, Visual Defence is already looking ahead. The company is developing edge-processing camera systems capable of analyzing data directly within the device, opening new possibilities for monitoring road conditions, environmental hazards, and emergency responses in real time.

Tal believes Richmond Hill’s innovation-friendly environment will continue to play a key role in that future. “It’s a supportive business community,” he says. “We collaborate with local suppliers, we’re part of the tech ecosystem here, and we’ve always felt the City wants to see businesses succeed.”

From its Richmond Hill base, Visual Defence is proving that innovation doesn’t just happen in labs, it happens on the streets, in motion, every day.

Twenty years ago, Wise Device Inc. (WDI) began as a basement operation with a bold idea: create technology that could make some of the world’s most complex tools faster, more accurate, and more reliable. Today, the Richmond Hill based company is a recognized leader in optical autofocus technology, holding numerous patents and setting standards used by global giants like Intel, Corning, and Samsung.

WDI operates behind the scenes, building components that other companies rely on to manufacture everything from computer chips and biomedical devices to TV screens. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier, they provide the specialized expertise that many companies don’t have in-house. “We’ve become the name our customers ask for,” explains company president Halszka Weiss. “In flat panel display manufacturing, our autofocus solutions are the benchmark.”

That reputation has been hard-earned in a competitive industry where reverse engineering is common. WDI’s response has been to constantly innovate. Their Richmond Hill facility houses optical labs, laser-safe rooms, and a dedicated production line, where more than 75 employees, the majority of whom are highly trained engineers, push boundaries every day.

The company’s culture reflects its engineering roots, with an environment described as “open, like a research university.” Co-op students from universities across Canada bring fresh ideas, while a system for employees to pitch new product concepts ensures innovation flows from every corner of the business. Many of those ideas have become real projects, strengthening WDI’s reputation as an industry leader.

Though WDI’s customers are global, the company finds clear advantages in being rooted in Richmond Hill. The city’s central location makes it easy to attract talent from across the GTA and encourages in-person collaboration. Local sourcing has also become a strategic strength. “For specialized projects, it’s a huge advantage to have suppliers just down the street,” says Weiss. Circuit boards, mechanical parts, and other components are often procured locally, enabling faster turnaround and tighter quality control.Looking Ahead

As WDI celebrates its 20th anniversary, the team is proud of its journey from humble beginnings to a globally respected, family-owned business. But they aren’t standing still. The company is leveraging its core technology to expand into new fields, from drug discovery to cancer screening. “Our technology is used every day in critical operations around the world,” says Weiss. “The next step is bringing those same breakthroughs to entirely new industries.”

For Richmond Hill, WDI is a reminder that world-leading innovation doesn’t just happen in Silicon Valley or Shenzhen. Sometimes, it starts and grows into a global standard right here in our community.