Beonyx recently attended CANSEC 2026, Canada’s largest defence and security trade show, on May 27 and 28, which brought together military leaders, government representatives, and defence companies from across the country. For Beonyx, it was an opportunity to showcase the B1 and gain insight into the evolving needs of Canada’s defence sector.
As conversations unfolded on the show floor, one trend kept emerging. While organizations are increasingly developing autonomous technologies, many still lack the platforms needed to deploy them effectively in the field. It’s clear that bridging this gap is where the B1 can deliver the most value.
A Gap in the Autonomous Vehicle Market
CANSEC 2026 revealed there’s a limited number of serious solutions in the small and medium unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) segment.
As Beonyx Co-Founder Louis Déry explains, “Few extreme all-terrain solutions with payload capacity [exist] in the small and medium UGV segment.”
Only a handful of platforms are capable of transporting and supporting the evolving needs of defence technologies. This is a challenge for organizations that need to move equipment, extend operational reach, and support personnel in difficult environments.
As a result, the discussions at CANSEC were largely focused not on the actual defence technologies, but the platforms needed to deploy them.
The B1 is Built for More Than One Mission
As the needs of military operations evolve, organizations need platforms that can be adapted to support multiple types of missions. The B1 is built for exactly that, which is why its flexibility generated so much interested at CANSEC.
“By its ability to offer a customized solution for the diverse needs of the Canadian Armed Forces,” Déry said. “A platform that can also be adapted to support other Canadian companies in the solutions they offer.”
Though many purpose-built vehicles were designed for a single function, the B1 was engineered to be a modular all-terrain platform. Its articulated 8×8 architecture, high payload capacity, and autonomous-ready design enables it to support a wide range of applications, while operations in environments where traditional vehicles lose reliability.
The B1 can be configured to transport equipment, support communications infrastructure, deploy autonomous systems, deliver power in remote environments, or perform logistical tasks, all while using the same core vehicle. Organizations can integrate their own technologies without needing an entirely new mobility solution.
New Partnerships Point to Emerging Use Cases
CANSEC also opened the door to conversations about how the B1 can support other technologies currently being developed for Canada’s defence industry.
Several partnership opportunities were discussed around applications such as:
- Transport of communication systems
- Drone charging and deployment platforms
- Autonomous reconnaissance and surveillance support
The diversity of the use cases was a =compelling takeaway for the Beonyx team. Some organizations represented at the conference expressed strong interest in exploring how the B1 can extend operational range of drone systems, while others were interested in using it for equipment transportation or conducting surveillance activities in remote environments.
The B1 changes how organizations think about autonomous mobility, not as a single capability, but as part of a broader network of connected technologies.
What This Means for the Future of Ground Mobility
As defence organizations look to improve logistics and expand autonomous operations, small and medium-sized unmanned ground vehicles are becoming increasingly important.
Their ability to transport equipment, extend operational reach, and support multiple mission requirements from a single vehicle offers a practical solution to many of the challenges facing modern defence operations.
For Beonyx, CANSEC strengthened confidence in both the company’s direction and the future of autonomous ground mobility. “We are confident that we can offer a robust and high-performing solution to support our Canadian soldiers,” Déry continued.
“They will be able to rely on us for their small and medium-sized vehicle needs, including logistical, strategic, and other solutions,” he added. CANSEC was more than an opportunity to showcase the B1. It offered a deeper understanding of the operational challenges facing Canada’s defence sector and the role autonomous mobility can play in addressing it. These insights will continue to inform how Beonyx develops and refines its platform in the years ahead.
