More than 50 miles of roads in Coventry, Birmingham and Solihull
are to be used for the real world testing of connected and
autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology under a new, cutting edge
project announced today (Tuesday June 5).
Midlands Future Mobility will further establish the West Midlands
as a world class centre for the research and development of CAV
technologies, helping to put it at the forefront of the next wave
of automotive manufacture.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands
Combined Authority (WMCA), is one of eight private and public
sector organisations involved in the £25m project which was
announced at WMG, University of Warwick.
Among those at the launch was Mayor for the West Midlands
, WMG’s Professor Paul
Jennings, who is leading the project and Dr Daniel Ruiz, CEO at
Meridian Mobility, which has been set up by the Government and
industry to accelerate CAV testing and development in the UK.
The Mayor said: “We have a long and proud history of vehicle
manufacturing in the West Midlands. This project is the latest
example of how our region is now becoming a world-class location
for CAV developers to not only come and test their new technology
but bring their manufacturing operations with them.
“We believe this cluster effect can keep the West Midlands at the
cutting edge of advanced engineering and automotive manufacture,
helping to build a strong regional economy with future-proof jobs
for local people.”
The specially selected network of roads for the project covers a
range of representative areas and will be the largest, most
diverse testing environment in the UK.
It will see the deployment of new roadside infrastructure
including smart vehicle monitoring, data analytics and 5G ready
wireless infrastructure.
By using real-world environments Midlands Future Mobility will
enable a variety of industries to test new vehicle technologies
and services, with the aim of improving integration.
The project is expected to make a significant contribution to the
UK’s national transport strategy and play a crucial role in
shaping the transport sector.
It will also firmly establish the UK’s presence in the connected
and autonomous vehicle market and contribute to the Industrial
Strategy.
The project consortium is being led by WMG, University of
Warwick, and also includes Amey, AVL, Costain, Coventry
University, HORIBA MIRA Ltd and Wireless Infrastructure Group.
The £25m funding has come from industrial partners and Innovate
UK as part of the wider Meridian Mobility initiative.
WMG’s Prof Jennings, who is leading the project, added “New
mobility technology and services will lead to safer, greener and
more efficient transportation for both people and goods.
“At WMG, we are delighted to be leading the Midlands Future
Mobility consortium, working with a broad and highly skilled
group of partners, and helping to accelerate this journey to a
better future.
“This region’s new infrastructure and innovative technologies
will set the future for the entire UK road transport system,
creating knowledge, developing key skill sets and contributing to
the national economy.”
Dr Ruiz, added: “We are delighted to welcome the launch of
Midlands Future Mobility.
“This is a fundamental pillar of our national capability for the
testing and development of connected and self-driving vehicle
technologies.
“The UK’s CAV development ecosystem leverages world-leading
transport policy and collaborative investment to accelerate the
adoption of the technology and systems which will deliver
societal benefits at the earliest opportunity.”
For more information about Midlands Future Mobility
visit www.midlandsfuturemobility.co.uk
