Funding for autonomous bus and baggage-handler projects

Connector 2, the autonomous shuttle being trialled in Cambridge

Aurrigo, UPS and Wayve are among the organisations to have secured Government funding to help develop and deploy world-leading connected and automated mobility (CAM) solutions in the UK. Autonomous buses and shuttles, cargo dollies and container transport systems are among the projects to receive support through the CAM Pathfinder programme.

The selected CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements projects are funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a joint unit between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Transport (DfT), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.

These projects are part of the £150 million CAM Pathfinder programme announced in the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which aims to address the complexities in commercialising CAM vehicles, to support and grow the UK’s CAM supply chain and ready the market for CAM services, enhancing both investment and export opportunities.

Each of the projects has already conducted work supported by the UK Government, with this additional funding set to help the consortiums behind each project further develop and demonstrate their commerciality.

Seizing the CAM opportunity
Mark Cracknell, programme director at Zenzic, said: “It is fantastic to see industry and the Government working together to ensure the UK is best placed to seize the CAM opportunity. From aviation to logistics and public transport, the programme will provide the funding and support required to help some of the nation’s brightest minds develop the technologies that will cement CAM as one of the industries of the future, creating high-skilled jobs and providing a major boost to the UK economy.”

Mike Biddle, executive director for ‘net zero’ at Innovate UK, said: "This latest investment in the UK's CAM sector by the Government, announced in its recent Industrial Strategy, will enable the UK to continue at the forefront of this technology. It is a chance to accelerate business growth, build supply chains of the future, develop new solutions and boost skills. This is a vote of confidence in the industry’s potential and Innovate UK looks forward to working with business and our partners as these technologies move ever closer to being commonplace in our everyday lives.”