Enhancing Passenger Experience – AI in Transport Competition
Applications closed
articles
Meet the innovator using AI to improve crowd safety in train stations
Biology graduate Rosie Richardson became fascinated by human behaviour and the role technology can play in keeping people safe. Now she is driving the development of a system that spots potential hazards at train stations to provide early alerts for rail staff to keep passengers secure.
Step onto the main concourse at King’s Cross station in London and your every move will be tracked and analysed by a new AI system designed to anonymously monitor people, as well as spot people running or who may need urgent assistance.
The idea is to enhance security, safety and the passenger experience by alerting staff to potentially dangerous events and behaviours in real time, so that immediate action can be taken.
But importantly, the technology does not recognise people’s faces, or monitor known individuals. Instead, everyone who enters the station is assigned a small dot that follows their movements anonymously; allowing security teams to trigger surveillance by security cameras if a situation of concern is identified.
“People are expected to follow certain paths within a station, such as towards a platform, shop or exit; and there may also be areas that the public should not go, like platform ends. We can set up alerts if someone strays into those areas,” explains Rosie Richardson, the Product and Strategy Director of Createc, which has developed the tool known as Situate, which blends AI with LIDAR sensing.
“We have also tailored the system for different spaces in a station based on what we expect people to do. If a person is waiting in a queue, that’s fine. But if they are loitering in a high throughput area like a corridor, it may need investigating.”
What if someone stops to frantically check their pockets for a lost ticket? “We wouldn’t identify a situation like that; people can get very stressed in stations,” Rosie adds. “There has to be quite a high threshold for an alert, otherwise the system would be constantly making them.”
Passengers running through a concourse will also be spotted by the system, so they can be asked to slow down for the safety of themselves and others. Overcrowding events are noticed early too, to give staff a swift alert to the incident and the best opportunity to respond.
In time, the technology will also be introduced on station platforms to alert rail managers if a passenger is standing too close to an approaching train, or trigger an audible warning over the public address system for people to step back.
“In real-time we can understand what is going on, and help security teams who cannot be expected to see everything on their screens all at once,” she adds.
Bristol Temple Meads trial
In 2023, Rosie and colleagues at Createc were invited to trial Situate at Bristol Temple Meads, as part of the Station Innovation Zone competition delivered by Connected Places Catapult on behalf of Network Rail. Their focus was on spotting passengers running along one of the platforms or straying over a yellow safety line before a train arrived.
“We were able to send an alert directly to passengers asking them to please stop running, or step back from the platform edge; negating the need to get a member of staff there.” Rosie adds that a system communicating directly with passengers may also be useful at quieter stations where there are less staff to intervene.
“We have thousands of stations that are unmanned and only monitored by old and grainy CCTV, so it is often hard to differentiate between someone wandering along the edge of a platform while drunk, or walking safely behind the line.
“The magic of our system is how we interpret data and make intelligent calculations to understand exactly where people are located, and what they are doing.”Rosie Richardson, Product and Strategy Director of Createc
Rosie says being selected to trial the technology in Bristol was a great boost for the company. “It gave us the opportunity to understand the needs of Network Rail and shape a solution without them having to commit to a project with us. Being part of the trial also allowed us to work on a station platform, which we would never have been able to do without the help of Connected Places Catapult.”
Rosie adds that Situate’s first funding was from the Ministry of Defence, which sought ideas to identify abnormal behaviour in crowds following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. The crowd detection system has also been installed at Luton Airport.
In May this year, Createc received a King’s Award for Enterprise – its fourth Royal recognition since 2018 – for international trade, for its delivery of technology solutions around the world.
An early appreciation of problem solving
Rosie Richardson’s route to becoming a technology innovator was far from conventional: her background is not technology focused, but she is “a problem-solver and someone who takes a human-centred approach” to her work. She grew up in north London before moving with her family to the Buckinghamshire countryside, where she learnt to ride horses. Rosie studied zoology and biology at the University of Leeds and became “fascinated by natural life, people and animals”.
“I have always been inquisitive and asked ‘why?’; probably much to the annoyance of my teachers and parents. I would always want to understand the whole story, rather than get half a truth. This is something that carried through to my professional life; getting involved in work that wasn’t necessarily my job, because I was interested in knowing the answer.”
Her Masters’ studies included exploring how the brain functions, genetics, infectious diseases and their influence on human behaviour. But she became disillusioned by how she felt academia appeared guarded about sharing data that could be useful to others, even in the context of public health.
After spending time travelling, she started her career in the marketing department of retailer Argos, looking after branding and began to understand the psychology of making purchases. She later moved to a recruitment company, and built her marketing career in that sector, setting up and running an internal marketing agency, managing hiring campaigns for clients across many critical national infrastructure and technology sectors.
One such customer was current employer, Createc. “I ran their marketing and was fascinated by what they did. I interviewed the computer vision team and heard about its plans for an anonymous crowd monitoring system for train stations. I remember I went home that evening with my brain buzzing; that academic spark for research was reignited.”
Rosie later worked for cyber security company WithSecure, as a global go-to market manager, when Createc came calling. “I got a call from Matt, Createc’s founder, and he said: ‘I think we need someone like you’. I loved my current job, it was a big role in a big company in a cutting-edge sector, but I just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with such an interesting company and team.
“I joined Createc and immediately started working on what became Situate, and could see how the time was right for the crowd monitoring system to be used in stations and airports. I chatted to as many people as I could and got involved in developing the technology behind it.”
Today, Rosie is leading commercial product and service development on a global scale across the company’s specialisms in sensing and robotics.
Most recently, she’s been working to develop new functionality in the Situate system to detect violence against women and girls in public places. The new features will detect loitering, following and other related behaviours, helping to make journeys safer for women and girls on public transport. Her ambition, she adds, is use the crowd monitoring technology to provide “masses of safety and security benefits to public life, and improve people’s journeys around connected cities.
“I want our product to make a global impact in the transport sector, as well as for shopping centres and stadia – anywhere with a need to better understand how people move, to keep them safe and secure. We are just getting started and luckily for us at the same time the world is realising just how essential technologies like this is.”
Entrepreneurs need to be passionate about what they are doing, she adds. “When you are working on something that can have a positive impact on everyone’s lives, it feels incredibly worthwhile.”
Find out more about the Station Innovation Zone.
events
Smart City Expo World Congress
The event for better cities and urban innovation.
Days hours mins secs
We’re excited to partner with Fira Barcelona and join 25,000+ visitors from over 130 countries.
Connected Places Catapult will lead the UK Pavilion, joining 1,100+ exhibitors, 600+ speakers, and representatives from 850+ cities.
The event annually attracts a diverse audience of industry executives, government leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs who come together to explore complex issues at the heart of a new model for cities and society.
Together with 20 partners from UK cities, regions, academia, freeports, and businesses, we will be showcasing smart and innovative solutions they have implemented to help deliver their city ambitions.
Our partners include:
Meet us in person in Hall 3, Stand D131 to share information and extend your network.
Join Us at the UK Pavilion!
Tuesday 4 November | 11:00–12:00
Kick off your day with the Launch of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and our Meet the UK Partners Business Brunch.
We’ll begin at 11:00 with a Welcome Address from Erika Lewis, CEO and UK Government Representative, followed by a networking brunch – a great chance to connect with UK cities, regions, and innovators.
Wednesday 5 November | 17:00–18:00
Join us for Networking Drinks hosted by our UK partners.
Meet the UK delegation and hear how they’re driving innovation and international collaboration to build better, more sustainable communities.
No registration needed – just drop by the UK Pavilion. We’d be delighted to see you there!
To find out how to arrange a business meeting with us and our UK partners, contact us at events@cp.catapult.org.uk or search for Connected Places Catapult on the SCEWC event app.
From local to global: smart city collaboration across the UK and beyond
11:00 – 11:20
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
Led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the UK’s Industrial Strategy is a bold 10-year plan launched in 2025 to drive long-term economic growth, boost business investment, and position the UK as a global leader in future-focused industries.
Hear directly from the UK Government on how the strategy is progressing since its launch – and what’s next for innovation, investment, and international collaboration.
- Opening address: Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapult
- Guest speaker: Helen Creighton, Head of Place – Industrial Strategy Unit, Department for Business and Trade
11:20 – 12:00
Networking Brunch: Meet the UK Partners supported by the Department for Business and Trade
Kick-start your Congress experience with our Networking Brunch! Connect with 20 UK partner organisations – including cities, regions, academia, freeports, and innovative SMEs – all showcasing their smart solutions at the UK Pavilion and have some delicious food and freshly brewed coffee.
12:00 – 12:35
How Can the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and the AI Growth Plan help Drive Towards a More Digital Future?
This panel explores how AI, data infrastructure, and digital twin technologies – central to the UK’s Industrial Strategy -can drive sustainable growth. It highlights how smart cities, Freeports, and innovation clusters are harnessing digital transformation to build inclusive, resilient economies ready for future challenges.
- Chair: Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapult
- Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Freyja Lockwood, Programme Manager- Digital Office, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Alison Young, Director of Trade & Investment, Thames Freeport
13:00 – 13:35
Innovation at Scale: Public-Private collaboration for smart infrastructure
Explore how cities and tech innovators co-develop infrastructure pilots, investment zones, and innovation districts. This session highlights scalable models for collaboration, procurement, and deployment, with insights on clusters, accelerators, SME involvement, and procurement reform. Learn from UK innovation zones and their global relevance in accelerating smart urban transformation.
- Chair: Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
- Naomi Hutchinson Yes Chief Innovation Growth Officer Sunderland City Council
- Oana Beattie, Vice President, Kyndryl
- Michael Quane, Chief Commercial Officer, Terminus Technologies
- Theresa Searle, Telecoms Unit Manager, Glasgow City Council
14:00 – 14:35
From Sandbox to Scale: How are Testbeds Accelerating Innovation Adoption Across UK Regions
Testbeds enable place-based innovation by trialing emerging technologies in real-world settings. Applied to local challenges like transport or public health, they offer controlled environments for experimentation. This helps de-risk investment through validation, user insights, and measurable impact -informing smarter procurement and accelerating adoption across regions.
- Chair: Marcos Kauffman, Research Centre Director, Coventry University
- Mike Dawson, People and Digital Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour
- Shah Zeb, Technical Specialist, Smart Internet Lab Bristol, University of Bristol
- Miles Blagden, Inward Investment Manager – Sustainability, London & Partners
- Alison Young, Director of Trade & Investment, Thames Freeport
15:00 – 15:35
How the advancements in data architectures and generative AI are providing ‘game changing’ opportunities for public sector reform.
This session explores how advances in data architecture and generative AI are transforming public services. With practical examples from local authorities, it highlights opportunities for reform and addresses key ethical and security considerations in deploying these technologies.
- Chair: Justin Anderson, Data and Digital Managing Director, Connected Places Catapult
- Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities and Enabling Services, Sunderland City Council
- Freyja Lockwood, Programme Manager- Digital Office, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Dan Wysocki, Head of IoT and Smart Places, Makutu
- Dr Colin Birchenall, Chief Digital Officer, Glasgow City Council
16:00 – 16:35
How Places Lead with Data: From Policy to Practice
This session explores how UK Government investment and legislation are reshaping the data landscape. It highlights how cities are implementing national strategies through data sharing, digital twins, and interoperable platforms -building resilience, driving growth, and showcasing why cities are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformation.
- Chair: Lloyd Broad, Head of European and International Affairs, Birmingham City Council
- Dr Amit Bhave, CEO & Founder, CMCL
- Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
- Phil Swan, Director for Digital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Agora Stage
17:50 – 18:35
Building Resilient Places with Data Sharing Infrastructure
Agora Stage: Infrastructure & Building
UK Cities today are grappling with a perfect storm of infrastructure challenges: ageing buildings, costly maintenance, increased flooding, and rising temperatures are straining systems that were never designed for today’s climate changes and extremes. Failing infrastructure leads to cascading impacts on people, places and transport systems. This panel explores how Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) can support national goals like net zero, public service reform, and economic growth across our regions. By aligning policy, technology and collaboration, we can build the frameworks that allow innovation to thrive and places to become more connected and sustainable.
- Chair: Erika Lewis, CEO, Connected Places Catapult
- Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Innovation Commissioner, Belfast
- Tiffany St James, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Dr Amit Bhave, CEO & Founder, CMCL
- Abdul Rahim, Chief Innovation Officer, London Legacy Development Corporation / Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Unlocking economic growth through AI, data and digital twins
10:00 – 10:35
How Technology Can Improve the Efficiency of the UK Transport Landscape
Technology is making UK transport smarter and greener, with AI, data, and automation powering seamless journeys and faster, cleaner logistics. These innovations are building connected cities where efficient, sustainable movement, benefits everyone.
- Chair: Sameer Savani, Transport Managing Director, Connected Places Catapult
- Mike Dawson, People and Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
- David Cronin, Inward Investment Manager – Sustainability, London & Partners
- Hannah Tune, ITS Development Manager, Transport for Greater Manchester
11:00 – 11:35
Driving a more inclusive future for the UK
This panel explores how inclusive innovation, policy, and place-based strategies can shape a fairer future for communities across the UK. Speakers will share insights on unlocking opportunity through collaboration, investment, and inclusive design – ensuring no one is left behind in the UK’s transformation journey.
- Chair: Freyja Lockwood, Programme Manager- Digital Office, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Dr Adrian Johnston, Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
- Angela Harrington, Director of Inclusive Economy, Manchester City Council
- Cllr Paul Leinster, Chair of the Digital Glasgow Board, Glasgow City Council
12:00 – 12:35
Leading Urban Transformation for the Future: Lessons from the Lesser-known: A Capstone project for the EIT UM Emerging Leaders Programme
This session would provide an opportunity to explore how cities can collaborate to strengthen urban leadership, building on the experiences of the Emerging Leaders programme and its previous editions.
- Chair: Olev Parts, Deputy Head of Talinn Transport Department, Tallinn Transport Department, Estonia
- Mihai Ionut, Consultant to the Mayor of Bacau, Primaria Municipiului Bacau, Romania
- Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, United Kingdom
- Juan Carlos Escudero, Head of Mobility and Data Science Unit, Centre for Environmental Studies, Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, Spain
- Emma Court, Walking & Cycling Officer Fingal County Council, Republic of Ireland
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch session: The SME Takeover
Join us at The SME Takeover, a casual and relaxed event spotlighting the innovation, agility, and impact of small and medium-sized enterprises across key sectors. Designed to amplify the voices of emerging businesses, the takeover provides a platform for SMEs to showcase their solutions, connect with industry leaders, and contribute to shaping future policy and market trends.
14:00 – 14:35
Modelling Success: Digital Twins as Policy Outcome Accelerators
Digital twins are evolving from concept to impact.
This panel explores how governments and stakeholders are using digital twin simulations to anticipate challenges, test scenarios, and deliver measurable outcomes in infrastructure, climate resilience, mobility, and public services. Panellists will share real-world applications, lessons learned, and the potential for smarter, faster, and more effective policy-making.
- Chair: Alanna Gluck, Senior Consultant – Data and Digital Products, Connected Places Catapult
- Amit Bhave, CEO & Founder, CMCL
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
- Sam Li, Head of Digital Innovation, Transport for Greater Manchester
- Joanna Birch, Director, Growthinnk
15:00 – 15:35
Launch of Nexus Digital Twin and STRIDE Test-Bed
The launch of the Nexus Digital Twin and its integration into the STRIDE Test-Bed marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of smart city innovation. These platforms serve as dynamic environments for testing, validating, and scaling digital twin technologies across sectors, enabling real-time simulation, predictive analytics, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Chair: Dan Isaacs, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Twin Consortium
- Sian Purvey, National Operations Manager, Crysp
- David McKee, CEO & Founder, Counterpoint Technologies
- Dennis Dokter, Smart Cities Lead, Manager Data and Insights, Nexus, University of Leeds
17:00 – 18:00
Networking Drinks Reception: Meet the UK Partners
Join us for an informal evening of conversation and connection with leading UK organisations driving smart city innovation. This reception offers a unique opportunity to meet UK partners across government, industry, and academia, explore collaboration opportunities, and celebrate shared ambitions for sustainable urban transformation. Enjoy drinks, light refreshments, and engaging dialogue in a relaxed setting.
Creating an inclusive, sustainable and better connected urban future
10:00 – 10:35
Seeding and Scaling Innovation Places: International Perspectives on Policy, Partnerships, Placemaking and Infrastructure
This panel brings together international perspectives from Australasia, Europe and the UK to explore what it means to seed and scale innovation districts. Drawing on global experience, speakers will share practical insights into building resilient, future-ready places that unlock inclusive growth, investment, and long-term value.
- Chair: Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
- Abdul Rahim, Chief Innovation Officer, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- Ger Corbett, Co-Founder, the European Association of Business Innovation Districts
- Catherine Hadfield, Strategic Lead, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, West Midlands Combined Authority
- Dr. Sunil Dubey, Professor of City Strategy, UNSW City Institute
11:00 – 11:35
AI and Digital Twins for Equitable Urban Mobility
Explore how AI and digital twins can drive equitable urban mobility. This session covers inclusive algorithm design, international collaboration in urban innovation, commercialising civic tech, and sustainable transport planning. Learn how cities can harness emerging technologies to make data-driven decisions that benefit all communities.
- Chair: to be confirmed
Unlock the potential of AI in transforming the UK transport sector
The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, recognises the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of the UK’s transport system.
The Government has recently announced a consultation to allow the creation of an Integrated National Transport Strategy which will set out a ‘people first approach’ to getting people around the country.
The Enhancing Passenger Experience – AI in Transport Competition will allow Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to submit a use case proposal for an AI-driven transport solution that complements government objectives.
Successful applicants will work closely with government and industry stakeholders to develop a business case and pitch deck as well as opportunities to further develop their solution.
Competition Overview
Scope
With a focus on passenger experience, this competition seeks solutions that complement the government’s key priorities for transport.
In alignment with the government’s key priorities for transport, this competition focuses on how AI can enhance passenger experience across the UK’s transport networks.
We are seeking innovative solutions in the form of use case proposals that address the most pressing challenges faced by passengers/transport users, aiming to create more reliable, efficient, and accessible transport systems.
Use case submissions for this competition must target a critical area where AI can make a meaningful impact in transport on passenger experience.
When submitting your application, you will be asked to select up to two of the government priorities below that your AI-driven solution best complements:
- Improving Performance on the Railways and Driving Forward Rail Reform
- Improving Bus Services and Growing Usage Across the Country
- Transforming Infrastructure to Promote Social Mobility and Tackle Regional Inequality
- Delivering Greener Transport
- Better Integrating Transport Networks
Further context and background information that will assist you with completing your application can be found in our Application Guidance Document.
Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport strongly recommend you read through this guidance document before submitting to ensure you best understand the scope of the competition and how to align your solution with the priorities outlined above.
Programme Phases
This is three-phrase programme with business support, pitching guidance and networking opportunities on offer as well as funding.
If you are accepted onto Phase One, you will receive up to £2,000 to develop your use case into an early-stage business case and pitch deck.
If you are accepted onto Phase Two, you will receive professional pitch training and will then pitch your solution to a panel of government representatives from the DfT.
If you are accepted onto Phase Three, you will receive up to £13,000 to further refine and develop the maturity of your business case, you will also pitch your solution to a panel of senior transport leaders at Connected Places Catapult’s Summit event on 19 March 2025.
Key Dates
What’s on offer to smes?
01
Innovation Funding
Funding to support the development of your business case, pitch deck and pitching opportunity
02
DfT Collaboration
Engage with policymakers to align your innovation with government priorities
03
Pitching Support
Access to professional guidance and coaching on how to best develop and pitch your use case
Eligibility criteria
- Applicant Type: Must be a UK-based SME.
- Technological Readiness Level (TRL): Your solution must be between TRL 2-6.
- Commitment: Participants must be available for the competition timeline.
How to apply
Applications are now closed.
Supporting documents
Point of contact
If you have any questions about the competition or application process, please contact the Innovation Funding team at innovation_funding@cp.catapult.org.uk
events
Innovation Zero 2024
The UK's largest net-zero congress
Event finished: 1st May 2024
We are delighted to once again participate in Innovation Zero, and we’re contributing to a number of sessions, including:
Andrew Chadwick, Ecosystem Director, Air Mobility & Airports, joining the Fuelling Flight: Hydrogen session on 1 May at 11:45.
Alison Young, Head of Global Investment, joining the session on Funding the Automotive Transformation, on 1 May at 12:25 in the Transport & Mobility Forum.
events
Connected North 2024
Delivering the North's Connected Future
Event finished: 23rd April 2024
We are hosting a Digital Twin Hub session on Day 1, 22 April at 2pm, titled ‘Digital twins driving innovation in the North – Explore innovative projects that look to catapult the North of the UK into a bright digital future’. Join Nury Moreira, Community Manager of Digital Twin Hub, and other speakers for an inspiring conversation.
events
UKREiiF 2024
The UK's Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum
Event finished: 23rd May 2024
This year, we are proud to host our own Pavilion, a place designed to showcase real innovation, and provide opportunities to connect with thought leaders, and UK and global peers.
To review our full Agenda of sessions and activities taking place over the three days and plan your visit, please head to the UKREiiF website > Programme tab > Download Programme or > Click on the Connected Places Catapult Pavilion dot to browse online.
Make sure to visit our Pavilion in Pavilion Square, we look forward to connecting with you in Leeds!
events
Interchange 2024
Be the Change
Event finished: 28th February 2024
Paul Wilson, our Chief Business Officer, is participating in the keynote panel titled ‘Transport as the key to people-centric, accessible, and sustainable urban spaces’ on 27 Feb, from 13:10 on the Keynote Stage.
Justin Anderson, Director of Digital Twin Hub, is delivering a presentation on connected digital twins as part of Interchange partner event Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) Live, also on 27 Feb.
Come find us on the show floor and connect!
Register using code CPC24.
events
Open and Agile Smart Cities (OASC) Conference 2024
Become better connected
Event finished: 17th January 2024
We’re delighted to participate in the Open & Agile Smart Cities Conference. Make sure to visit our Connected Places Catapult stand on the show floor and to join the sessions our experts are participating in over the course of the two days.
articles
Award win for project deploying drones and advanced AI
Consortium scoops prestigious award for research and development at robotics ceremony
articles
Award win for project deploying drones and advanced AI
Consortium scoops prestigious award for research and development at robotics ceremony
articles
Award win for project deploying drones and advanced AI
Consortium scoops prestigious award for research and development at robotics ceremony
articles
Award win for project deploying drones and advanced AI
Consortium scoops prestigious award for research and development at robotics ceremony
‘Intelligent Drones for Port and Highways Technology’ (InDePTH) – a project developing and trialling an innovative approach to the monitoring and control of critical national infrastructure – was recognised at the 2023 Robotics and Automation Awards in London.
Nominated for two awards, InDePTH won the award for Best Research & Development Innovation at the ceremony, held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms.
Connected Places Catapult, alongside Associated British Ports (ABP), Kier Transportation, RoboK and HeroTech8 is part of the InDePTH consortium being led by BT. The consortium is focused on using automated drone technology and advanced AI techniques to create an efficient, low-carbon and cost-effective solution for infrastructure management.
The project aims to trial ‘beyond visual line of sight’ BVLOS flights using automated ‘drone-in-a-box’ technology to regularly survey large infrastructure estates.
The imagery collected from the drone missions will be used to create digital models, and state-of-the-art machine learning will automatically extract insight from the collected imagery; insight that can be used by end users in near real-time.
Project trials are centred around three real-world use cases for ports and highways developed by ABP and Kier, including landside port operations and management, marine operations and highway safety and defect inspections.
“I’m delighted that the Project InDePTH team has been recognised for their excellent work at the Robotics and Automation Awards. InDePTH is an innovative and technically complex project which will revolutionise the autonomous drones service industry, by bringing agile artificial intelligence to a wide variety of customers and industry sectors.u0026quot;Andrew Chadwick, Acting Ecosystem Director for Air Mobility u0026amp; Airports, Connected Places Catapult
“We’re delighted to have won this award which recognises the potential of InDePTH to transform the way operations are conducted in critical national infrastructure and beyond with the use of autonomous drones. One of the judging criteria for the category was collaboration and the way the partners have come together to jointly tackle the demanding use cases that InDePTH is focussing on really shone through to the judges in our presentation.”Alistair Duke, Research Manager – Networks, BT Group on behalf of the InDePTH consortium
InDePTH forms part of the Future Flight Challenge Phase 3 programme, delivered by Innovate UK and funded by UK Research and Innovation which aims to help develop the country’s future drone economy.
Flights are taking place at the Port of Ipswich, owned and operated by ABP, to show how drones could help improve asset and inventory management, as well as oversee offshore surveillance and maritime operations.
InDePTH is also deploying drones to continuously assess the surface quality of roads within the port on behalf of Kier, in an effort to spot defects early, which – if used on highways – could improve safety and wellbeing for roadworkers.
Trials of the technology will continue over the remainder of the project, evaluating the technology against the use cases identified by ABP and Kier, and working towards developing a market-ready solution in terms of both the technology and business models.
You can find out more about the consortium partners and their role in the project on our project page and in our project video.
