5PRING – the consortium behind the UK’s first 5G commercial application accelerator – has announced the Future of Transport challenge.
As part of the programme HS2, Port of Tyne, National Express, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and BCRRE (Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education) have set a series of challenges for start-ups and SMEs to solve, using 5G-enabled solutions.
Each supporting organisation has contributed its own specific challenges to the open call, which is designed to offer companies working in the sector the opportunity to put forward solutions.
Successful applicants will receive access to new technology via a private 5G network, a tailored acceleration programme, as well as coaching, mentoring and expertise provided by experts from the aforementioned organisations, and 5PRING consortium members Telefonica UK (O2), Deloitte, Wayra and Digital Catapult.
The challenge will provide entrants with opportunities to undertake transformative use cases and explore innovative solutions from across the transport industry.
Applicants with 5G-enabled solutions that leverage augmented reality, computer vision, IoT, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics, are being encouraged to apply.
Last year, West Midlands 5G (WM5G) and collaborators O2, Deloitte, Digital Catapult and Wayra announced the launch of the UK’s first commercial accelerator – 5PRING – to develop the first region-wide 5G testbed.
Robert Franks, managing director at WM5G, said: “Participants to this open call are being asked to consider a wide range of different challenges and obstacles and we are hoping to capture some truly fantastic, innovative solutions from small businesses that may not otherwise have access to this kind of audience.
“The guidance and expert advice that our 5PRING teams can provide both virtually and through our dedicated Accelerator hubs in Coventry, Wolverhampton and Birmingham are leading the way.”
Applications for the accelerator are currently open and should be submitted by midnight on 17th September 2021. Successful applicants will start working with 5PRING from 8th November 2021.
