Tech firms join forces to showcase latest autonomous vehicle

ONE of the UK’s autonomous vehicle specialists has joined forces with a world leader in connectivity and sensor solutions to showcase the result of its technology to firms in Germany.

Coventry-based RDM Group joined with TE Connectivity to display its driverless pod to a trade fair in Munich.

It was the first time the pod, which includes nearly 100 different connectivity solutions, seats up to four people, reaches a top speed of 15 mph off-highway and has a total operational distance of 60 miles between charges, had been seen in the country.

The two firms have been working closely together to develop the autonomous solutions that are used in the innovative vehicle.

David Keene, CEO of RDM Group, said: “We have been working with TE Connectivity for many years, using their products within our wiring harnesses for our many automotive OEM customers. More recently, we have used their design expertise and technology to develop solutions for our driverless pods.

“These are now being built into the pods that you will soon be seeing in Milton Keynes and Coventry and this agreement at the show will extend the relationship so that we will use their products in our ‘Pod Zero’ range when it enters low to medium volume production.

“And what a better way to announce it than by showcasing one of the pods at electronica, the first time it will have been seen in Germany.”

The trade fair was the latest stop in a global journey that will see Pod Zero tour more than 10 countries around the world over the next year.

One of the very first prototype vehicles is currently at the start of a year-long stay in Australia, where it has already exhibited at the Intelligent Transportation Systems Congress in Melbourne before making its way to Adelaide and then onto other major cities.

Interest in the pods – available in two, four, six and eight seat variations – has been strong, and RDM Group is currently in talks with local authorities, airports, universities and others on becoming first adopters. This alone is estimated to be worth £20m and could involve production of up to 250 vehicles over the next 12 months.

“RDM’s investment into developing our own pods – together with the complex autonomous control systems and advanced sensors that are required for safe operation – is really starting to pay off. We are on the verge of signing some very large contracts and expanding worldwide,” added Mr Keene.