AI tech firms pitch ideas to improve transport

Last week, nine small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stepped up to pitch their technology innovations ‘Dragons Den style’ to a panel of judges tasked with selecting three of the companies to receive up to £13,000 of further funding to develop their business cases.

The competition, titled ‘AI in Transport: Enhancing Passenger Experience’, looks to explore new ideas for how artificial intelligence can revolutionise how people travel.

Sixty-five applicants were whittled down to 25 who each received £2000 to develop use case proposals. The shortlist was slimmed again to the nine who presented last week. Three as yet un-named winners chosen from the pitch day will receive £13,000 each in further funding to develop their technologies further, and have been invited to present their innovations to delegates at the Connected Places Summit.

Funded by the Department for Transport, the AI competition is delivered by Connected Places Catapult. The three judges listening to the pitches and coming back with questions at the event were the DfT’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Prof Sarah Sharples; Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive, Erika Lewis; and Digital Twin Hub Director, Justin Anderson.

“I’m a professor of human factors, and will be looking for evidence that all people have been considered in your systems and ideas,” said Sarah Sharples by way of introduction to those pitching.

“I’m very practical, and will be looking for ideas that make a difference in how things work, and have the potential to make journeys smoother, more accessible and inclusive.”

Erika Lewis, Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive

Justin Anderson offered: “My background is as an entrepreneur, and I will be looking for whether ideas are feasible and if funds can be used wisely to scale up and make an impact.”

Each of the nine SMEs presented innovations that align with a core Government transport priority. Answering the call for ideas that aim to improve performance on the railways and drive forward rail reform were Amygda Labs, Mind Foundry, FYLD, Enerailand 1Timetable.

Solutions that help to better integrate transport networks were offered by Transreport and Journey Alerts; an innovation aimed at transforming infrastructure to promote social mobility and tackle regional inequality was introduced by Streetwise Technology; and technology to improve bus services and grow usage across the country was presented by Purple Transform.

After the event, Sarah, Erika and Justin deliberated on what they had just heard and selected their top three SMEs, whose names will be revealed at the Connected Places Summit next week.

“Well done to all of you for your excellent presentations,” remarked Sarah Sharples at the end of the event. “One of our scoring criteria was around clarity of the pitch, and all were well thought through.”

Successful solutions are those that promise to “make a difference and really take into account user needs”, she added.

Erika Lewis said she was impressed with the quality of the pitches, and could see opportunities for application in all of them. She also said that companies taking part in the competition might be interested in “working together and creating new teams to take forward good ideas”.

Justin Anderson encouraged each participant to “think about your secret sauce” and make sure to “get out there, scale and work with others to build a whole solution. Our role is to help deliver societal impact, and you are all winners in just getting here and telling your stories.” After the event, Transport Minister Mike Kane offered his reflection on the nine SMEs pitching their innovations.

Hear from the three selected to receive further funding. Register for the Connected Places Summit on 19 and 20 March.