More than 50 miles of Birmingham and Coventry roads to test self-driving cars

The Midlands Future Mobility project has confirmed that more than 50 miles of roads across Birmingham and Coventry are to be used to test self-driving cars.

The networked roads will be the largest, most diverse testing environment in the UK, with the deployment of new roadside infrastructure including smart vehicle monitoring, data analytics and 5G ready wireless infrastructure.

By using real-world environments Midlands Future Mobility will enable a variety of industries to test new vehicle technologies and services, with the aim of improving integration.

Funded by industrial partners and Innovate UK, Midlands Future Mobility is a consortium of industry and academic experts which is being led by WMG, University of Warwick, and includes Amey, AVL, Costain, Coventry University, Horiba Mira, Wireless Infrastructure Group, and TfWM.

Prof Lord Bhattacharyya, chairman of WMG, commented “The work of Midlands Future Mobility will help create a world where we can enjoy seamless, safe automated journeys. It will be a major step change in how we experience transport.”

WMG’s Prof Paul Jennings, who is the lead of the project, added: “New mobility technology and services will lead to safer, greener and more efficient transportation for both people and goods.

“At WMG, we are delighted to be leading the Midlands Future Mobility consortium, working with a broad and highly skilled group of partners, and helping to accelerate this journey to a better future.

“The Midlands has a proud heritage in the UK car industry. Now our expertise, new infrastructure and innovative technologies will set the future for the entire UK road transport system, creating knowledge, developing key skill sets and contributing to the national economy.”

Dr Daniel Ruiz, chief executive at Meridian Mobility, said: “We are delighted to welcome the launch of Midlands Future Mobility.

“This is a fundamental pillar of our national capability for the testing and development of connected and self-driving vehicle technologies.

“The UK’s CAV development ecosystem leverages world-leading transport policy and collaborative investment to accelerate the adoption of the technology and systems which will deliver societal benefits at the earliest opportunity.”