Articles & Blogs

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TRIG alumni offer words of wisdom to transport innovators

Small companies with promise speak about how the Transport Research & Innovation Grants programme helped them progress their technologies.

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Building climate resilience together: Reducing the impact of disasters

Discover how cross-sector collaboration and digital innovation can safeguard communities from the rising threats of extreme weather and infrastructure failures.

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Telecoms sector dials up extreme weather response

Shared insights through the Climate Resilience Demonstrator programme promise to better prepare asset managers and society for severe weather.

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Meet the Academic powering the switch to electric lorries

Dr Lewis Hunter of the University of Strathclyde is helping hauliers to feel more confident about investing in electric heavy goods vehicles by highlighting sites where charging infrastructure is required.

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Meet the innovator loading rail freight boxes at speed

Former veterinary surgeon Alan Holford is developing a new freight loading system for trucks and trains, and plans to transport packages through tunnels to every street corner in a city.

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Gearing up for a push on last mile eco-logistics

Climate technology firm Kale AI is on a mission to accelerate the growth of sustainable deliveries in cities carried out by light electric vehicles, and is developing software to optimise route planning with financial support and networking provided by Connected Places Catapult.

A woman stands on the sidewalk holding a device focused on virtual reality safety, with a busy street, including a bus and several cars, in the background.

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Meet the innovator using virtual reality to improve driver safety

Heavy goods drivers are among the beneficiaries of new safety training developed using virtual reality.

A man wearing a pink checkered shirt smiles in front of a wall with blue interconnected network graphics, showcasing the integration of artificial intelligence.

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Meet the Academic building trust in Artificial Intelligence

Gopal Ramchurn grew up watching robots and humans interact in television programmes such as Knight Rider, before embarking on a research career considering the possibilities of AI in transport and sport. But the university professor does have concerns about the technology’s direction of travel.

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Workshop explores resilience model’s expanding scope

Potential expansions to the CReDo model (the Climate Resilience Demonstrator) including further geographical, use case and climate scenarios were unveiled at The Future of CReDo event at Connected Places Catapult. Participants also mapped out commercial options for how the model could be owned and operated going forwards.

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Durham researcher uses AI to aim high with drone safety

Several established and promising academics have received funding through the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme in recent years. In the second of a series of profiles about grant recipients finding success, we speak to Dr Hubert Shum – an associate professor of computer science at Durham University.

A man wearing glasses and a grey suit smiles while standing in an office with glass walls and blinds, as public transport vehicles pass by in the background.

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Meet the Academic helping to better connect communities in the countryside

Stephen Joseph has spent a career extolling the virtues of public transport over car-based travel and has turned his attention to improving mobility in areas outside of cities.

A woman in a patterned blouse is giving a presentation with a timeline labeled "CReDo Journey" on a screen behind her. She is holding a laser pointer or remote.

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Sarah Hayes: If we fail to share on climate risk, we’re sure to fail

Climate change is the biggest challenge we face, but we are far from ready to deal with extreme weather events caused by the changing climate, says Connected Places Catapult’s new Affiliate.

Two women are sitting at a table, engaged in a discussion about business support. One is gesturing with her hand while speaking passionately, and the other is listening attentively. A laptop, likely filled with funding options, is visible on the table.

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It’s a match! Hear from businesses that the Catapult helped connect

Funding and business support are not the only perks for small enterprises joining our programmes; networking opportunities allow companies with similar ambitions to come together and share ideas. We speak to two new pairings developing business propositions after meeting over coffee at events organised by Connected Places Catapult.

A small autonomous electric vehicle with the name "Aurrigo" is parked by a building, with one door open, revealing seats inside. The vehicle is white with gray patterns and features the Union Jack flag.

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Integrating automated vehicles into the transport system

Automated vehicles are no longer just a science fiction vision of the future; long term trials have been operating around the globe, and paid services for the general public are now available in certain locations.

An older man wearing glasses and a light blue shirt stands next to a metal structure with multiple wires and components, representing advanced satellite-based communication systems, in a laboratory setting.

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Meet the innovator driving autonomous vehicle safety forward

Electronics expert Oliver Leisten has developed satellite-based communication systems to help unmanned aircraft stay safe in the sky. He is now turning his attention to driverless cars with the help of Connected Places Catapult.

A white Nissan Leaf with "ServCity" branding and equipment on the roof is on a city street, showcasing an autonomous vehicle trial. The car features logos of various sponsors on its sides.

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Woolwich car trial takes a hands off approach to driving

Autonomous vehicle project ServCity is nearing the end of a three year demonstration in south London, where technology provides a car with an early warning of what is much further ahead, allowing the vehicle to ‘see’ around corners. Mike Walter of Connected Places Catapult went along for a ride.