The Innovation Hub at YVR

Initiatives

YVR’s Digital Twin 

The YVR Digital Twin is exactly what it sounds like — a virtual, real-time interactive representation of YVR’s terminal buildings, airside and landside facilities, all located on Sea Island, the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.  Serving as the Innovation Hub's digital learning environment, the YVR Digital Twin continually adapts to navigate the challenges of our ever-evolving industry. Beyond our airport, YVR’s Digital Twin is a resource open to the broader aviation market, empowering other airports to advance their digital transformation.

As one of the first major markers to come out of the Innovation Hub at YVR, the YVR Digital Twin is a powerful tool which acts as the digital heart and soul of the airport. Currently available to all 1,000+ YVR employees on their IOS devices and desktop computers, the YVR Digital Twin facilitates optimization by seamlessly integrating sensors, historical and real-time data into its platform. Through the strategic visualization of data in 2D and 3D, the YVR Digital Twin enables better and faster data-driven decision-making and collaboration, setting a new standard in airport efficiency.

To learn more about the YVR Digital Twin and how it supports operational excellence, customer satisfaction and sustainability, please contact us at: [email protected].

Indigenous Connection and Learning Opportunities

As part of YVR’s journey to Reconciliation, the Innovation Hub at YVR is dedicated to creating avenues that promote digital equity and foster Indigenous engagement in the world of innovation. We are achieving this goal by providing skills development and employment opportunities for Indigenous communities across Canada in collaboration with partners such as the First Nations Technology Council and Unity Technology.

Higher Education Collaboration

YVR is collaborating with academia to create real-world opportunities for students to learn, collaborate and apply their industry-driven ideas within the innovation and technology environment at YVR. YVR has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) focused on the Centre for Internet of Things (IoT) and broader innovation initiatives. This living lab serves as a platform for students to actively address and respond to industry challenges directly within the airport's operational context. This approach not only enriches the educational experience but also contributes to practical solutions and advancements in the aviation and technology sectors. Integrated Marketplace Program

Integrated Marketplace Program 

YVR is the first testbed as part of the Province’s Integrated Marketplace Program (IM), linking the airport to B.C. based clean-technology companies that can help electrify the airport’s operations to meet its net zero carbon commitments. Through YVR's partnership with IM, the airport has discovered a multitude of opportunities to bolster the resilience and growth of BC's technology sector while advancing the airport’s strategic priorities.

Want to get involved?

At YVR we have a dedicated innovation team who are keen to collaborate with academia, aviation partners, big and small tech companies, made-in-BC start-ups and Indigenous communities. If you have ideas and/or a solution for YVR’s Innovation Hub, contact us through [email protected]. The Innovation Team will respond if there’s a collaboration opportunity.