81 million GBP in joint government and industry funding has been awarded to seven projects that aim to develop self-driving transport technology in the UK.
These grants are part of the UK’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Connected and Automated Mobility programme.
The funding recipients are:
- CAVForth II – Fusion Processing – 10.4 million GBP to start operating a full-sized, self-driving bus service in Edinburgh, with Stagecoach and Alexander Dennis
- V-CAL – North East Automotive Alliance – 8 million GBP to roll out remotely piloted HGVs between the Vantec and Nissan sites in Sunderland
- Hub2Hub – HVS – 13.2 million GBP to develop a zero-emission self-driving HGV with Asda
- Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle – City of Sunderland Council – 6 million GBP to trial a self-driving shuttle service to the University of Sunderland and the Sunderland Royal Hospital
- Project Harlander – Belfast Harbour – 11 million GBP to deploy a self-driving shuttle service around Belfast Harbour
- Multi-Area Connected Automated Mobility – Conigital – 15.2 million GBP to establish a remote driving control hub to oversee self-driving vehicles in Solihull and Coventry
- Project Cambridge Connector – Greater Cambridge Partnership – 17.4 million GBP to trial on-demand, self-driving taxis that will complement existing transport
Almost 600,000 GBP is also being awarded for feasibility studies exploring how self-driving technology could improve public transport in four parts of the UK.
These projects will look into potential routes for automated vehicles to operate away from other traffic in order to relieve congestion on the A414 through Hertfordshire and Essex, parts of Eastern Cambridge, Birmingham and Solihull, and Milton Keynes.
“In just a few years’ time, the business of self-driving vehicles could add tens of billions to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs across the UK. This is a massive opportunity to drive forward our priority to grow the economy, which we are determined to seize.
“The support we are providing today will help our transport and technology pioneers steal a march on the global competition, by turning their bright ideas into market-ready products sooner than anyone else.”
Proponents of self-driving technology believe that such vehicles could revolutionise public transport and help better connect rural communities, while also reducing road collisions caused by human error.
Some forecasts predict that by 2035, 40% of new UK car sales will have self-driving capabilities. The total market value for connected and automated mobility could then be worth 41.7 billion GBP to the UK.
“Self-driving vehicles including buses will positively transform people’s everyday lives – making it easier to get around, access vital services and improve regional connectivity.
“We’re supporting and investing in the safe rollout of this incredible technology to help maximise its full potential, while also creating skilled jobs and boosting growth in this important sector.”
