More people and businesses across the UK will benefit from smarter, more
efficient and more sustainable deliveries thanks to a £1.8
million government funding boost.
Today (1 May 2024), Roads Minister is launching the third year of the £7
million Freight
Innovation Fund Accelerator to deliver innovative tech
across the industry to decarbonise freight and boost the
UKsupply chain as part of the
government's plan to grow the economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive up
to £1.8 million in government funding to support the freight
sector in deploying cutting-edge AI technology and automation to
improve the way trains, lorries, vans, and ships carry parcels
and goods.
The first 2 years of the fund saw nearly £3 million allocated to
several SMEswhich worked with
industry-leading companies to make British supply chains cleaner
and more efficient, while improving how freight is carried across
rail, maritime and road transport.
Examples of ground-breaking ideas that have become reality thanks
to support from the Freight Innovation Fund include Royal Mail
working with Skyports to deliver mail by drones across the
islands in Orkney. This is the first time ever mail is being
delivered by drones in the UK, allowing Royal Mail to deliver 24
hours faster than using vans or ferries.
The Freight Innovation Fund has also supported FedEx in trialling
new eCargo bikes to deliver parcels quickly in traffic-heavy city
centres, helping decarbonise deliveries.
Previous funding winners have reported a collective £97 million
in commercial investment from the £1.2 million government Year 1
fund, decarbonising supply chains and supporting jobs.
Roads Minister said:
The freight and logistics sectors are part of our economy's
backbone, ensuring supermarket shelves are stocked, hospitals
receive crucial medical supplies and important deliveries are
made.
That's why, as part of the government's plan to grow the economy,
the Freight Innovation Fund is supporting businesses to innovate
and back skilled UK jobs.
The Freight Innovation Fund Year 3 follows £200 million to roll out
hundreds of zero-emission trucks and lorries as well as
freight charging infrastructure to help set road freight on the
path towards net zero.
The fund was originally launched in 2022 as part of the
government's Future of
Freight plan, the first-ever plan for government and
industry to work closely together to deliver a world-class,
seamless flow of freight across the UK's roads, railways, seas, skies and
canals.
This fund builds on previous government initiatives designed to
support increased research and development in the freight
industry. Previous technologies supported in other funds include:
- Hypermile – introduced an artificial intelligence programme
that offers real-time feedback to help lorry drivers save fuel
- Fishbone Solutions – launched a programme that uses
vibrational data from rail freight wagons and artificial
intelligence analysis to determine whether the wagons are working
correctly
- CGA Simulation – developed a tool that simulates urban
environments to predict the best place where to build new
infrastructure and improve logistics
Connected Places Catapult's Chief Executive Officer, Erika
Lewis said:
The UK's freight sector plays
a major contribution to our economy, but there are many
opportunities worth exploring to improve efficiencies and
environmental performance associated with the movement of goods.
I am excited to see what new ideas and technologies companies
taking part in the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator come up
with, and I encourage SMEs to come forward.
Delivered by Connected Places Catapult, the Freight Innovation
Fund will give SMEs access to
technical and business support from the organisation.
Other measures to help bolster the UK's haulage and freight sectors
include £31 million in joint
government and industry investment to improve truckstops
and working conditions for lorry drivers by providing more
parking spaces, better welfare facilities and safer rest areas.
Alex Brown, Director at Skyports Drone Services
The Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, alongside the work with
Royal Mail, was a key proof point we could speak to during our
capital raise process to demonstrate the progress we were making
with our drone delivery business.
Importantly the work with Royal Mail in the Orkney Islands is
still ongoing, demonstrating how a catalyst like the Freight
Innovation Fund Accelerator can result in lasting products and
services.
