UK autonomous transport competition launched to solve technology gaps

A £2 million competition has been launched to help solve technology gaps on the path to autonomous transport in the UK.

The Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder Feasibility Studies (FS) Competition is offering UK-registered organisations a chance to win a share of the funds.

A key requirement will be for studies to explore potential solutions to issues encountered by organisations or industry in introducing CAM technologies or services. 

The funding will come from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) supported by Zenzic, delivered in collaboration with Innovate UK and CCAV. 

Mark Cracknell, programme director at Zenzic, said: “CAM offers huge potential benefits for the UK, both for those who live here and businesses operating here.

“The adoption and deployment of CAM will be crucial in ensuring the country maximises the possibilities that the technology offers and this competition will hopefully provide invaluable insight to that roll out.”

A report earlier this year found little support for autonomous vehicle technologies from UK drivers.

Almost half (48%) of drivers in the Venson Automotive Solutions survey said they do not support autonomous vehicles, while more than fifth (22%) remain unsure.

Just under a third (30%) - 37% of males and 24% of females - support self-driving cars.

MAN and Oxa have both recently announced autonomous vehicle developments as the technology promises to revolutionise logistics and fleet in the future.