Market Review
What does 2021 hold for the development of technology in the UK?
UKRI Challenge Directors offer their predictions for the new year
Tony Harper, Challenge Director - Faraday Battery Challenge:
“The electrification of the automotive industry alone has the potential to generate 78,000 jobs in the UK. All of this relies on the UK developing world-class technology and a robust, local battery value chain.
I welcome the UK government’s ban on petrol/diesel cars by 2030. Regulations of this nature drives investment and innovation. You also have to look out for un-intended consequences and, in a global industry fighting a global challenge, it is much better if there is global regulatory alignment. I am sure the UK will push for this in the run up to CoP26 next year.”
Dr Will Drury, UKRI Challenge Director – Driving the Electric Revolution: 2021 will likely see much more widescale flying of drones ‘beyond visual line of sight’ which will see the application of autonomous technologies either to fully control flights or as an aide for remote pilots. This will allow for much more extensive missions such as surveying long stretches of power lines. Such a capability will also make drone use for goods delivery feasible – it is likely we will see large scale trials in this area with medical usage an early priority.
Ben Winter, Head of Engagement and Programme at the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: In 2021, we will see more advanced assisted driving technologies and potentially early, limited automated technologies will begin to enter commercial markets for consumers to buy. These new technologies may require new legislation and regulations that change the law to allow the technology on public roads.
Companies will continue to work towards the deployment of self-driving vehicles in complex urban environments. In the UK, for example, the ENDEAVOUR project will be trialling level 4 automated technology in three major cities in the UK, including Oxford and London.
Gary Cutts, Challenge Director – Future Flight: “2021 will likely see much more widescale flying of drones ‘beyond visual line of sight’ which will see the application of autonomous technologies either to fully control flights or as an aide for remote pilots. This will allow for much more extensive missions such as surveying long stretches of power lines. Such a capability will also make drone use for goods delivery feasible – it is likely we will see large scale trials in this area with medical usage an early priority.”
Andrew Tyrer, UKRI Challenge Director – Robotics: In 2021, we will see developments in service robotic solutions, with the aim of robots being ‘housed’ on offshore wind farms permanently and future generations of wind turbines being designed to be repaired and maintained by robots throughout their lifecycle. Wind energy currently makes up 20% of the UK’s electricity supply and is rapidly expanding – by 2030, the UK offshore windfarm market is set to reach a capacity of 40GW, so it is crucial for the future of the country’s green energy.
www.cieonline.co.uk
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