The National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) at the University of Warwick was recently opened by HRH The Prince of Wales.
The 33,000m
2 facility in Coventry is one of Europe’s largest automotive R&D facilities and will bring together researchers, engineers and designers from industry and academia to help shape the future of the global automotive industry.
Using cutting-edge workshops, laboratories, virtual-engineering suites and advanced powertrain facilities, it will create future vehicles and personal-mobility solutions — and deliver the skills required to keep the UK globally competitive.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Tata Motors and WMG showcased mobility projects to Prince Charles, including their most recent electrified and autonomous vehicles.
JLR CEO Ralf Speth said: “We believe in creating a better tomorrow for mobility — a future of zero emissions, zero congestion and zero accidents.
“We call it ‘Destination Zero’, and the National Automotive Innovation Centre will make sure that we get there.
"Here, academics, manufacturers and suppliers will: develop a smart transport infrastructure that integrates autonomous vehicles and public transport; design zero-emissions vehicles powered by smart-chargers and renewable energy; and discover material and digital manufacturing innovations that will eliminate waste.”
Stuart Croft, the University of Warwick’s vice-chancellor (
www.warwick.ac.uk), said: “The NAIC’s location underscores Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands’ leading roles in UK and international automotive innovation and research.
"We have benefitted from the dedication of many individuals and organisations from across industry and academia, as well as local and national government, which have come together to help bring the vision of the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya to fruition to create a centre dedicated to the R&D of the future of mobility.”
The £150 million centre is a partnership project by Jaguar Land Rover, WMG, Tata Motors and the University of Warwick, with £15 million of Government funding, through Research England.