WMG gets £7m funding for robotics and intelligent vehicle research

WMG at the University of Warwick is to receive more than £7m to research ‘The Smart and Connected Vehicle’.

Co-funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the private sector, the research will focus on the long-term multi-disciplinary research challenges identified by industry.

Through the National Automotive Innovation Campus (NAIC), robotics and autonomous systems research will lead the development and implementation of intelligent vehicles.  

A multi-sensory virtual real-world environment will be built in NAIC which will allow intelligent vehicle systems to be developed to learn driver behaviour.

The systems will be optimised to enable drivers to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, assist with monotonous tasks and react to hazards, increasing vehicle safety. The research will be delivered with leading academics and industry groups.

The new facility will support the extensive research capability at WMG, and in the network of international universities collaborating with industry through NAIC.

It is hoped the research will enable the UK to take a leading role in whole-system evaluation, smart and connected vehicles and also strengthen the UK research base, providing a focus for a critical mass of expertise.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, Chairman and founder of WMG said “This is a wonderful development for NAIC to be leading the development of ‘The Smarter and Connected Vehicle’. 

“We will be working closely with industry to develop future products that will be crucial for these companies and the industry as a whole and which will bring significant benefits for the environment and driver safety.”

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “For Britain to get ahead in the global race we have to back emerging technologies and ensure our universities have the latest equipment.

“This capital investment will help scientists make new discoveries and take their research through to commercial success. It will drive growth and support the Government’s industrial strategy.”

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