The UK government recently made an announcement regarding a whopping investment of up to £150 million to support the development and implementation of self-driving transport technologies. The goal is to solidify the UK’s position as a global leader in this cutting-edge field, with the funding set to continue until 2030.
Part of the broader plan to bolster economic growth and reinforce the UK’s standing in manufacturing, the government unveiled a £4.5 billion investment for British manufacturing. The funding will be allocated to eight key sectors crucial for economic growth, energy security, and levelling up, and among them is up to £150 million specifically earmarked for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) until 2030.
This substantial funding package falls under the purview of the Advanced Manufacturing Plan, which outlines the government’s strategy for investing in the future of manufacturing and eliminating barriers for businesses. It is expected that the industry will match the government’s funding, ultimately facilitating the UK’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) in cementing the country’s position as a global leader in the design, development, deployment, and manufacturing of self-driving technologies.
The aim of the initiative is to drive the early commercial market for self-driving vehicles and services, building upon the substantial joint investment of around £600 million with industry in over 100 projects across the UK since 2015. Research indicates that the economic benefits of CAM for the UK could reach an impressive £66 billion per year by 2040, in addition to creating 342,000 new jobs, if the government effectively intervenes in policy, regulation, funding, skills, and public communication.
The injection of funding is expected to revolutionize the UK’s development and adoption of CAM, promising to transform the way people travel and commute, ultimately leading to safer, more convenient, and more accessible journeys. Not only will this create ample highly skilled job opportunities, but it will also significantly contribute to the growth of the UK economy.
In a significant move, the government recently unveiled the Automated Vehicles (AV) Bill, which is set to introduce a comprehensive legal framework for self-driving vehicles, placing safety and innovation as the top priorities. This, in addition to the financial support, is crucial for a UK CAM sector that encompasses not only privately owned vehicles and robo-taxis but also logistics, mass transit, mining, agriculture, and defence sectors.
The funding programme will zero in on the areas with the highest potential economic and societal impact, ensuring the safety and security of these emerging technologies. By targeting market segments and capabilities where the UK possesses a comparative or competitive advantage, or where targeted investment could achieve such an advantage in the global value chain, the initiative aims to maximize the benefits for the UK.
Furthermore, there are discussions about the potential establishment of a Centre of Excellence for UK Connected and Automated Mobility, which would collaborate with various government departments and organizations to address coordination challenges, bolster capabilities, skills, and public engagement. The Centre would also work alongside the government to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in access to finance, international engagement, and exports.
Overall, the UK government’s investment in self-driving transport technologies marks a pivotal step towards positioning the country at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement in the global arena. With the necessary funding and legislative framework in place, the future of connected and automated mobility in the UK certainly appears promising and poised for remarkable growth and development.
Source:
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – Connected and Automated Mobility Revolution Set to Deliver £66 Billion Prize by 2040
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