Fleet briefs: Latest from Sixt, Hexagon Leasing and Targa Telematics

Project to bring self-driving vehicles to Coventry and NEC

A £15.2m multi-area connected automated mobility (MACAM) project will begin a trial of self-driving technology within Coventry city centre and at the NEC.

The project, led by Conigital and Coventry University, is one of a number of collaborating organisations involved, including Coventry City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Warwick Manufacturing Group, DRisk, IPG Automotive UK, Direct Line Group and the NEC.

Coventry University’s role is to develop strategies that aim to provide secure and efficient operation of self-driving vehicles that can be safely controlled in multiple locations by remote operators in a control room, using a 5G-based, remote monitoring and tele-operation (RMTO) service.

Professor Stewart Birrell, professor of human factors for future transport at Coventry University, said: “We want to explore the human factors involved and how control of a vehicle is passed over to an operator at specific points in a journey, for example where there may be a particularly difficult section of a trip that needs negotiating.

“We want to show this technology works within real world settings, not just on a test track.”

The university also plans to use the vehicles to operate an internal mail service across its city centre locations, using purpose-built self-driving light vans, while using its expertise in cybersecurity to ensure their safety and reliability.

The university’s goal from the project is to show the technology can be put into commercial use. The trial will begin in about 18 months’ time.

Targa Telematics acquires Viasat Group

Targa Telematics has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100% share capital of Viasat Group.

The company said the acquisition will allow it to strengthen its leadership in the Italian market and accelerate its expansion in Europe.

Nicola De Mattia, chief executive officer (CEO) of Targa Telematics, said: “We are enthusiastic to welcome such a prestigious company as Viasat Group – a virtuous entrepreneurial example – that allows us to take an important step in terms of size, international reach and to expand our presence to key areas of the market. 

“These are crucial elements to continue to strengthen our competitive positioning and to offer our clients a wide range of services in the smart mobility field for increasingly international projects.

“This is the first operation of significant size completed by operators in our industry and aims towards a tangible market consolidation.

“The strong coordination between the teams and the synergy arising from the know-how and the latest technologies of both companies will allow us to consolidate once again our role as key players in developing the mobility of the future.”

Sixt opens new branch in Canary Wharf

Sixt has opened its newest location in Canary Wharf, London providing both business and leisure travellers with a premium rental service in the city's financial district.

In addition to new locations, Sixt has upgraded several existing branches recently including Inverness, Wembley, Birmingham, and London Stratford with more in the pipeline in 2023.

Sixt said other branches have relocated to larger locations to meet increased demand, including moving its Manchester Trafford site, which opened 10 years ago, to Manchester Salford, a 14,000 square-foot location.

Tim Vetters, managing director of Sixt UK, said: “We’re excited to bring the premium Sixt offering to Canary Wharf, marking the latest addition to one of the country’s major hubs.

“The clean, modern look of the branch, located at Canada Square, will offer London’s high-flyers a range of new premium sedans and SUVs with low milage, including BMWs and Mercedes-Benz.”

Hexagon Leasing partners with SM UK

Hexagon Leasing has partnered with SM UK to kit out 100 new Renault T Range tractor units with DVS compliance kit over the first six months of 2023.

The system combines cameras with sensors and audible warning systems to help reduce the likelihood of a collision.

The equipment includes a three-camera system consisting of two side cameras and a forward-facing camera, a 7” in cab monitor, 1TB hard drive/MDR unit, three sensor cycle minder system, left turn warning, and speed switch with night-time cut off. Each vehicle is also being fitted with an Anderson lead as standard.

Paul Johnson, head of supply chain at Hexagon Leasing, said: “We chose to partner with SM UK on this project due to their commitment to road safety and industry expertise.

"SM UK can install safety systems before registration under whole vehicle type approval and offer a renowned aftersales service which includes customer product training and support throughout the hire period.

“Hexagon Leasing is committed to road safety. We support our customers in maintaining compliance and reducing traffic collisions by offering the latest in road safety equipment such as cameras and audible warnings as standard on all our new vehicles.”