The UK government has announced it will fund autonomous vehicle projects through the fifth CAM (connected and automated mobility) Scale-Up programme, with each member receiving up to £100,000 in grant funding.
The Zenzic CAM Scale-Up UK programme was founded in 2020 and offers selected start-ups and SME participants an opportunity to develop CAM technologies including autonomous driving.
Since then, a total of 22 businesses have had projects supported through the programme, which has led to the development of of the world’s first pothole repair robot, self-driving passenger and freight vehicles, safety and radar software solutions to help vehicles navigate extreme weather, and AI-enabled perception systems.
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Mark Cracknell, programme director at Zenzic, said: “To ensure we remain at the front of the global race to develop the autonomous and connected transport solutions of tomorrow, it is vital that we continue to support the bright minds and innovative SMEs who play a key role in developing and deploying such solutions, which is why we’d encourage any business from an automotive or tech background with an idea of how they could help drive the sector forward to get in touch and find out more.”
News of the funding comes after the House of Lords committee, chaired by Baroness Parminter, presiding over the Automated Vehicles Bill, announced that the UK needed serious reform if the country were to achieve its electric vehicle charging infrastructure goals.
Achievements and innovations in sustainable urban mobility will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
