The UK government has awarded funding to eight projects examining the use of autonomous vehicles. Among the funded initiatives, Wrightbus will collaborate with Loughborough University and Queen’s University Belfast to study how connected and automated mobility (CAM) can address critical mobility challenges within the UK.
The ASPIRE project will address structural driver shortages, rising operational costs, and the need to maintain connectivity while meeting zero-emission mandates. By integrating autonomous driving technologies with zero-emission bus platforms, the initiative aims to demonstrate how public transport systems can remain economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
Wrightbus (Bamford Bus Company) will lead the industrial delivery of the project, contributing its expertise in manufacturing hydrogen and battery-electric buses. Academic partners Loughborough University and Queen’s University Belfast will provide research support, focusing on safety validation, human-machine interaction, and the operational deployment of connected and automated mobility (CAM) systems.
The funding comes as part of the UK government’s broader push to position the country as a global leader in autonomous vehicle development. The outcomes of the ASPIRE project are expected to inform future policy, investment decisions, and large-scale deployment strategies for autonomous public transport across the UK.
Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic, said:CAM solutions have the potential to unlock new business opportunities and economic growth in all corners of the country. These feasibility studies will help to articulate the impact that market ready CAM technologies can have on both business productivity and economic growth.
We are excited to start working with the organisations delivering each of the eight projects to further develop their businesses cases, demonstrate the commerciality of their solutions and paint a clearer picture of the commercially viable CAM solutions coming down the road.
