Amey, UK subsidiary of Ferrovial Services, together with the RACE company (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments), has obtained funding from Innovate UK - the UK's innovation agency - to build a prototype autonomous vehicle that will improve the quality of urban services and transport infrastructures.
Innovate UK has provided funding so that Amey and RACE can join together to build a prototype driverless vehicle and collect data from its sensors, which will enhance current urban services and improve safety measures for staff members.
The prototype will be built as part of the Connected Autonomous Sensing Service Delivery Vehicles (CASS-DV) study, carrying out grass cutting, street cleaning and other tasks which are currently completed manually. Through the use of sensors, the vehicles will then be able to provide real time data regarding its surroundings, such as the quality of street furniture, bridges and road conditions. In addition, the sensors will be able to gather and send live information regarding environmental factors, such as air quality.
The prototype tests will be carried out at Culhum Science Centre in Oxfordshire. Upon the success of the trial, we will see more driverless vehicles helping with a range of urban services across the UK, whilst helping to improve the safety of those working in high risk areas.
Rick Robinson, Amey’s Director of Technology said:
“We believe that the pioneering study will not only help to transform the quality and quantity of data on road conditions, but will provide cost efficiencies to our clients as well as delivering real improvements in safety and service quality.”Innovate UK Chief Executive Ruth McKernan added:
“These successful industry-led R&D projects will further spearhead UK development of low emission, and connected and autonomous vehicle technology, building on our world-leading research and innovation capability in this area and the significant strength of UK businesses large and small in this field.”
