Coventry University will play a key role in an extensive trial of self-driving technology on the city’s streets.
The £15.2 million Multi-Area Connected Automated Mobility (MACAM) Project will begin a trial of self-driving technology within Coventry city centre and at the NEC in around 18 months’ time.
The project is led by Conigital and Coventry University is one of a number of collaborating organisations involved, including Coventry City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Warwick Manufacturing Group, dRisk, IPG Automotive UK, Direct Line Group (insurance) and the NEC.
Coventry University’s role is to develop strategies that aim to provide secure and efficient operation of self-driving vehicles that can be safely controlled in multiple locations by remote operators in a control room, using a 5G-based, Remote Monitoring and Tele-Operation (RMTO) service.
The university also plans to use the vehicles to operate an internal mail service across its city centre locations, using purpose-built self-driving light vans, while using its expertise in cybersecurity to ensure their safety and reliability.
Initially a driver will be present within the vehicles but eventually it is anticipated they will be unmanned and monitored completely remotely.
