Skip to main content

UK government funds connected vehicle development with a Flourish

The UK government has selected the Flourish consortium as a winner of its multi-million pound research grant to fuel development in user-centric autonomous vehicle technology and connected transport systems. The new programme, co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, will focus on the core themes of connectivity, autonomy and customer interaction. The three-year project, led by Atkins and worth US$8 million, seeks to develop products and services that maximise the benefits of connected and
February 5, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
The UK government has selected the Flourish consortium as a winner of its multi-million pound research grant to fuel development in user-centric autonomous vehicle technology and connected transport systems. The new programme, co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, will focus on the core themes of connectivity, autonomy and customer interaction.

The three-year project, led by 1677 Atkins and worth US$8 million, seeks to develop products and services that maximise the benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) for users and transport authorities.

Flourish will address vulnerabilities in the technology powering CAVs, with a focus on the critical areas of cyber security and wireless communications. The consortium will aim to develop tools that enable vehicle manufacturers and transport authorities to create a safe and secure CAV network.

The project will bring together industry and academic experts in the field of autonomous and connected systems, cyber security, data innovation and social research, and will further advance the South West region as an independent centre for the development and testing of CAVs.

Lead partner Atkins will provide project management, transport modelling and intelligent mobility expertise. Other consortium members include Airbus Group Innovations, TSS 16 Aimsun, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire County Council, 7800 Transport Systems Catapult, the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, among others.

Airbus Group Innovations will provide expertise in the technology areas of model-based system engineering, cyber security, human-machine interfaces, human state monitoring and data fusion, while Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire County Council will provide on-road trials support and drive local community engagement.

TSS Aimsun will assemble a simulation test environment using its traffic modelling software that can be used for the assessment of different automated vehicle implementation scenarios from motorway to urban use.

Transport Systems Catapult will develop human-machine interfaces and provide support for simulated and real world testing.

Roland Meister, head of transport for Innovate UK said: “We’re excited by the Flourish consortium’s project and in particular, its focus on addressing cyber security vulnerabilities and the implications of connected and autonomous vehicle technology for an ageing population. This particular funding programme builds on previous government R&D investment into driverless cars and is a key part of a strategy to ensure that UK-based companies establish market-leading solutions, helping to build a strong supply chain for connected and autonomous vehicle technology and increase UK economic growth.”

Flourish, a multi-sector collaboration, is one of eight consortia that will help to advance the successful implementation of CAVs in the UK, by developing services and capabilities that link user needs and system requirements.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Connected-car security market expected to reach US$759 million in seven years
    September 30, 2016
    With nearly 112 million vehicles now connected around the world, the global market for automotive cybersecurity is expected to grow exponentially – to US$759 million in 2023, according to a new report, Automotive Cyber-security and Connected Car, from IHS Automotive, part of business information provider IHS Markit. Connected cars are defined as those that have a connection to the internet, through telematics, an onboard modem or a paired device in the vehicle, such as a mobile phone or other device. One
  • Developments in travel information display systems
    August 1, 2012
    David Crawford looks at recent developments in travel information display systems. It is important to remember that we are investing in Real-Time Passenger Information [RTPI] to increase ridership," says Robert Burke, Managing Director of New Zealand transit tracking technology specialist Connexionz, which has been involved in at-stop and remote passenger information since 1995. "Superior information improves the perception of public transport reliability and gives the passenger more choices and greater con
  • WTS International: Attract, Connect, Sustain, Advance
    December 7, 2022
    WTS International exists to connect transportation professionals, and to help prepare the next generation of the mobility workforce. But it takes everyone to create change, says Lindsay Shelton-Gross
  • Improving, integrating weather monitoring for safer roads
    February 6, 2012
    Paul Pisano, USDOT Federal Highway Administration, and Charles Harris, Noblis Inc, chart progress in the US of Maintenance Decision Support Systems for winter maintenance and weather management