Manufacturing


Conigital develops new AI solution for driverless cars


Conigital Group has been awarded funding as part of the £12.6m Innovate UK fund to deliver its new innovative AI solution for driverless vehicles. The Innovation Birmingham-


based SME is developing a range of inclusive and accessible solutions, including a virtual concierge called Gemma (similar to ‘KIT’ from the popular TV series Knight Rider), a patented 4D tactile map for blind and partially sighted users, a Mobility as a Service app, as well as a fleet management system facilitating the coordination and the telematic health of autonomous vehicles. The Gemma Virtual


Concierge provides a tailored customer experience for users. By talking to the app or


device; Gemma will provide interactive access to travel advice, news and games (infotainment), the internet and premium services at the destination, such as duty- free shopping and personal shopper requests. The development of Conigital’s


solution is being funded by three projects: Project CAPRI worth £5.7m, Project Synergy worth £4.7m and Project INSIGHT worth £2.2 m. Each collaborative project includes a range of partners and clients including Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport; Heathrow Airport and The Mall shopping Centre in Bristol. Monique Seth, Conigital chief


executive, said: “At Conigital we are Flying the flag: Peter Atmore Boost for Made Left: Gemma, the virtual concierge. Above: A Conigital driverless vehicle


‘At Conigital we are very focused on the passenger interaction and their experience while on the journey’


very focused on the passenger


interaction and their experience while on the journey. So for example on Project Synergy, Gemma, our virtual concierge service, will be able to have a conversation, check-in online and do your duty free shopping. “A lot of our interactive systems


have accessibility built into them so that members of the elderly, visually impaired and less abled feel included and are also able to use those functions.” Each project responds to the


technological and customer needs for driverless shuttle pods at high traffic destinations. As part of Project Synergy,


Conigital will work closely with a range of partners including Westfield Sports Cars, Fusion,


Harper Adams University; Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester City Council and Stockport Borough Council to develop driverless connected autonomous vehicles. The project will use the latest sensor technology to allow three low carbon electric sports vehicles to drive in close formation between Stockport railway station and Manchester Airport. Monique added: “For driverless


vehicles to be a success, the involvement of a wide range of organisations is essential, including Government, insurance providers, vehicle manufacturers and infrastructure providers. This is why Conigital set up the MCAV Cluster as a forum for knowledge sharing and promoting the opportunities of driverless vehicles.”


in Britain Peter Atmore, head of global sales and marketing at Birmingham- based espresso machine manufacturer Fracino, has been appointed to a board which champions UK manufacturing around the world. Peter will contribute to the


strategic decisions of Made in Britain. With sector expertise spanning


almost four decades, Peter has built a powerful track record in operational and leadership positions. He has also been instrumental in


Fracino’s continued expansion at home and overseas since joining the multi award-winning business two years ago. Made in Britain chief executive, John Pearce said: “Peter’s wealth of


industry expertise, drive and commitment highly compliment the skills and experience of our board members and he will add much value to our remit to promote best practice and further develop the supply chain of British-made goods.” Peter said: “Fracino’s deep


rooted ethos and commitment to fly the flag for British manufacturing in the UK are wholly aligned with the goals of Made in Britain. I look forward to promoting the Made in Britain message.”


Financial stability for manufacturing sector


West Midlands manufacturing businesses are outperforming their regional counterparts - as new research reveals they are among the most financially stable in the UK. New figures compiled by


insolvency and restructuring body R3’s Midlands branch, using Bureau Van Dijk’s Fame database, show that around one-in-four (28.5 per cent) manufacturing businesses in the region are at higher than normal risk of insolvency. This is the lowest percentage in


the UK outside of Northern Ireland, which registered 28.2 per cent. Wales and the South West have


the highest percentage of manufacturing companies at


elevated risk of insolvency - each with 36.4 per cent - which is almost five percentage points higher than the UK average of 31.7 per cent. In contrast, the news is less


positive for the region’s transport and haulage sector, which has a higher proportion of firms at above average risk than any of its regional counterparts, with the exception of Yorkshire. Around two-in-five local


companies (44.9 per cent) are at higher than normal risk of insolvency, which is more than four percentage points above the UK average of 40.2 per cent, but under the Yorkshire statistic of 48.6 per cent.


The research indicates that


more than one-in-three West Midlands companies (36.4 per cent) currently have an elevated insolvency risk, which equates to 101,100 local businesses. A year ago, the proportion was


one-in-four (24 per cent), representing 64,501 businesses. R3 Midlands chair Chris Radford,


a partner at the Birmingham office of Gateley plc, said: “There are glimmers of regional positivity to be seen in these latest R3 statistics, but the overall picture is a cause for concern. “The percentage of West Midlands businesses at greater than usual risk of insolvency was higher in January and February


Chris Radford: Risk of insolvency continues to grow


this year than at any point in 2017. “All too frequently, it is not until


a company is on the brink of insolvency that its owners seek financial advice. If businesses sought professional help sooner, then far more could be done to help them survive.”


April 2018 CHAMBERLINK 73


Sector Focus


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