fazon - stock.adobe.com UK government unlocks further connected vehicle development funding Investment boost for projects exploring how autonomous vehicles could benefit businesses and communities across the UK as part of £150m Pathfinder programme An autonomous excavator, the expansion of a self-driving bus trial, and autonomous vehicles for airports, highways and city streets are among nine projects to have received funding from the UK government’s Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme showing how CAM technologies can be used to drive opportunities across a wide range of sectors. Running until 2030, the £150m 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 and Innovate UK. CCAV is a joint policy unit of the Department for Transport and the Department for Business and Trade. Zenzic was created by the UK government and industry to champion the CAM ecosystem and lead the UK in accelerating the self-driving revolution, with the goal of ensuring a safer, more secure, sustainable and inclusive transport future. The UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders estimates that CAM could