Patryk Kosmider - stock.adobe.co UK government accelerates autonomous vehicle development funding Projects exploring how autonomous vehicles could benefit businesses and communities across the UK receive government backing as part of £150m CAM Pathfinder programme A total of eight studies exploring how autonomous vehicles could benefit businesses and communities across the UK have received funding from a government-backed initiative aimed at accelerating the roll-out of commercially viable connected and automated mobility (CAM) services in the UK. Part of the UK government’s industrial strategy is to address the complexities in commercialising CAM vehicles, and in addition to increased funding, the programme is complemented by the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, which is designed to pave the way for self-driving vehicles to be used safely and securely on British roads, removing the need for safety drivers. Alongside full implementation of the act by 2027, the government is also enabling commercial pilots of bus and taxi-like services from spring 2026. Running until 2030, the £150m CAM Pathfinder programme is seen as key to realising the industry’s potential. It is aimed at addressing the challenges of bringing CAM vehicles to market, providing funding for projects that are intended to develop “world-first” technologies, products and services, ranging from “cutting-edge” software to smart transport services. It was announced in the government’s advanced manufacturing sector plan, which aims to grow the UK’s CAM industry – calculated to be worth £3.7bn. Projects funded by CAM Pathfinder must demonstrate that the cutting-edge technology or mobility services being developed can help industries become safer, sustainable, inclusive and more productive. By accelerating the development, deployment and adoption of such technologies and services, the objective is to support growth and investment, and unlock innovation across transport. The CAM Pathfinder programme is delivered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), supported by Zenzic