Entrepreneurs and innovators pioneering new ways of creating a
more efficient transport system are being backed by government
funding announced today.
In total, 51 projects have been awarded a share of £1.95 million
in Department for Transport (DfT) funding as part of the
government’s Transport Research and
Innovation Grant (TRIG)
programme, the largest number of projects backed in the
programme’s history.
One winner, Makesense Technology Ltd, will develop a technology
to guide visually impaired people through the public transport
network. A handheld device will scan the area and provide touch
feedback, such as a vibration to the tablet holder, alerting them
to any obstacles and their direction of travel.
AJEA Products Ltd is also among those awarded funding, creating
autonomous flood protection for critical transport
infrastructure. It will design self-deploying barriers that can
be installed at train stations across the UK and pop up
automatically when floods are detected, preventing passenger
journeys from being disrupted by extreme weather.
Meanwhile, Unitrove Innovation Ltd is being backed to develop a
control system for the world’s first liquid hydrogen fuel
container facility for zero-emission ships.
The University of Cambridge is developing a new low-cost and
lightweight steering system for heavy goods vehicles
(HGVs), which will
reduce tyre wear, reduce carbon emissions and make it easier for
larger vehicles to manoeuvre on the road.
Transport Minister said:
Innovation funded as part of TRIG could
be the key to unlocking a more efficient and safer transport
system for tomorrow.
I support the ingenious ideas of this year’s cohort every step of
the way and wish the successful applicants all the very best. I
look forward to seeing the ideas develop to boost our green
agenda and create high-skilled jobs across the UK.
Now in its 11th round of funding, the TRIG programme,
delivered in partnership with Connected Places Catapult,
brings together talented start-ups – mainly SMEs and universities
– and policymakers at the earliest stage of innovation to help
enhance the UK’s transport system.
Since launching in 2014, over £6 million in grants has supported
more than 200 TRIG projects.
This year, the programme focused on increasing the diversity of
its applicants. From Southampton to the Shetland Islands, the
winning projects are based across the UK and
reflect DfT’s
commitments to levelling up.
The winners were selected based on 4 key themes:
- maritime decarbonisation
- future of freight
- COVID-19 recovery
- transport resilience
An open call, where any transport related idea was also
considered.
For the first time, 6 Future of Freight grants worth £100,000
each were piloted for larger projects, moving them past ‘proof of
concept’ and towards being demonstration ready. These will
complement remaining 45 grants of up to £30,000 each, spread
across all 4 themes.
DfT will also
be working in partnership with Connected Places Catapult this
year to pilot an Innovation Accelerator Programme, which will
support companies at a later stage in their innovation journeys.
The programme will provide funding to help projects take the last
step towards the market by providing bespoke training from
industry experts.
Rachel Gardner-Poole, Connected Places Catapult, Chief Operating
Officer said:
TRIG is a
one-of-a-kind programme. It provides a mechanism to identify and
support early-stage innovation that might slip through the nets
of traditional funding routes.
Connected Places Catapult is extremely proud to
deliver TRIG 2021,
which is supporting over 50 innovators across 4 different
challenges, including the future of freight, maritime
decarbonisation, COVID-19 recovery and resilient transport
systems. I am excited to see what great products and services
arise.
