UK provides £25m for driverless vehicle tech

The third research and development competition for connected and autonomous vehicles has been launched. Up to £23 million is being made available for collaborative research and development projects and up […]

The third research and development competition for connected and autonomous vehicles has been launched.

Up to £23 million is being made available for collaborative research and development projects and up to a further £2 million for feasibility studies.

Innovate UK said the projects need to come up with technical solutions for connected and autonomous vehicle features that provide “real-world benefits” to users.

It includes how these vehicles will work as part of a wider transport or off-road system that will increase productivity and improve mobility in a range of sectors, including mining, construction and farming.

All projects must be collaborative, business-led and with the research and development conducted in the UK.

The collaborative R&D projects will range in size from £500,000 to £4 million and last between 18 and 30 months. The feasibility studies will be worth up to £250,000 and last between 12 and 18 months.

Businesses could attract up to 70% of their project costs.

The competition closes on 25th October 2017.

The government has also launched the first stage of the £246 million battery storage challenge and published plans, along with Ofgem, to encourage people to generate, store and use their own energy.

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