Technology Minister Jesse Norman announces funding for innovative transport tech

Technology Minister Jesse Norman has announced today (6 June) 67 innovative projects developing transport technology which are receiving a share of £1.96m in funding as part of the Government’s Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) Programme.

A record number of this year’s winning projects are based outside London, with almost four in five based outside the capital.

The projects receiving funding include an app that uses augmented reality (AR) to help visually-impaired passengers get around rail stations, remote-controlled robots for deliveries, kite-powered tug boats to reduce emissions and drones to deliver packages in hard to reach areas.

The TRIG programme looks to encourage engineers, academics and innovators to develop ‘blue-skies’ research into real-world solutions to address some of transport’s most pressing issues, such as decarbonisation. This can be a useful way for researchers to take their first steps creating a new company, helping to grow the economy and create jobs across the UK.

Some of this year’s winning projects include:

• Port of Tyne to explore the viability of using remotely-controlled, and in some instances automated, electric heavy-duty robots to replace HGVs to provide a cleaner and faster alternative, reducing delays in the delivery process.

• CC Informatics to explore the use of drones to create 3D digital models of structures, such as bridges and rail tracks, to identify cracks and defects in the structures that would otherwise be invisible, meaning repairs can be made quicker and before more serious issues could develop.

• Imperial College London to research the use of Kiacrete, a new type of paving made from recycled materials, instead of concrete as a more permeable solution to see how it can be used on highways to drain away surface water and reduce flooding.

Through the TRIG programme, funded projects could have a transformative impact on transport. This year’s winners bring the total amount invested through the TRIG programme to over £12m since it launched in 2014, having funded nearly 300 projects.

Nicola Yates OBE, Connected Places Catapult, chief executive officer said: “By getting funding into innovative start-ups, we are creating jobs of the future and growing vital areas of the economy.

“Transport Research and Innovation Grants support high-potential innovators to develop their ideas into new products and services. In addition to an injection of funding, companies that join the TRIG cohort benefit from access to experts from Connected Places Catapult to help them on their journey to commercialisation.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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