Autonomous vehicle pioneer invests in global expansion

COVENTRY-based driverless vehicle pioneer, RDM Group, has invested in its first international facility in a bid to tap into a multi-billion-dollar market.

The group is opening a technical office at Flinders University campus in Adelaide, which will be responsible for purchasing, sales and technology support as part of the firm’s expansion into Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The company, which employs more than 60 people at its headquarters in Coventry, has also appointed Roger van der Lee as Autonomous Programme Director and he will be responsible for overseeing the set-up, developing a supply chain and exploring possible contracts with the Australian Government, Education and the private sector.

It is an ambitious move for the firm, but one it has taken after four months of discussions with the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI) and showcasing its Pod Zero autonomous vehicle at the ITS Melbourne exhibition as well as a number of other major trade events.

“There is massive demand for creating autonomous mobility solutions in Australia and we want to make sure our technology is at the forefront of any new developments,” said David Keene, CEO of RDM Group.

“Our Pod Zero vehicle has been generating a lot of interest ‘down under’ and we have been in discussions with a number of end users that are willing to take part in trials to prove that it is an excellent ‘first and last mile’ transport solution.”

He said to capitalise on the local demand it had taken the decision to open the facility at Flinders University, which is opposite the Tonsley Innovation District.

“This will give us the base to develop an Australian supply chain and to explore new opportunities, with the longer-term plan to create a bespoke assembly facility in Adelaide that will supply vehicles direct to customers across the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

RDM’s is keen to explore commercial opportunities for Pod Zero following the completion of its first totally autonomous trial at Cenex in the UK last year.

With a top speed of 15mph off highway, an operational range of 60 miles and four & eight-seater variants, the vehicle is attracting the attention of local authorities, universities, airports, theme parks and shopping centres keen to explore its transport potential.

Mr van de Lee, who has nearly 30 years’ experience working across various engineering, innovation and Government positions, was most recently involved in the development of Green Distillation Technologies, a Melbourne-based start-up that pioneered a way of recycling end of life car and truck tyres into saleable commodities.

He brings a diversity of leadership and project experience in manufacturing and automotive to RDM Group, as well as a track record in delivering national and international contracts across the public and private sector.

“The Australian automotive sector has seen a difficult period in recent years, with many major OEMs deciding to close operations and move elsewhere. This has left a void and I believe that we are in an ideal position to create a new modern industry around the development of autonomous vehicles,” he said.

As part of its international expansion, RDM Group has lodged an application to the South Australian Government’s Au$10m Future Mobility Lab Fund, which is designed to boost local testing and R&D on connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.

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