TRL

The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has launched the UK Smart Mobility Living Lab, a real-life environment for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), in Greenwich, London.

At the new UK Smart Mobility Living Lab, CAVs, services and processes can be developed safely and evaluated within the local community.

TRL CEO Rob Wallis said: "Many organisations are testing autonomous systems in dedicated off-street facilities, but the success of these vehicles largely depends on how they integrate into real world living environments, alongside existing transport services.

"Driverless cars will improve road safety and bring huge benefits to the economy."

"By providing a welcoming and real-life regulatory environment for testing, TRL can help accelerate the adoption of new technology and enable the UK to play a pivotal role in the development of this global market over the next five years."

The Living Lab can be used by vehicle manufacturers, OEMs and tech developers for their research and development, concept testing and validation.

They will also be able to understand the way new technology is perceived in a real world environment.

The Living Lab provides an open innovation environment to organisations where industries, academia and the public sector can partner to accelerate the development of safe CAV systems.

Transport minister Andrew Jones said: "Driverless cars will improve road safety and bring huge benefits to the economy.

"We have backed projects in Greenwich with £9m of funding that are helping to turn it into a major centre for testing and demonstration."

Royal Borough of Greenwich cabinet member for business, employment and skills councillor Sizwe James said: "It builds on the council’s work on smart city innovation and complements other connected and autonomous vehicle projects we are working on with TRL, supported by Innovate UK."

Image: The new Living Lab can be used by vehicle manufacturers, OEMs and tech developers. Photo: courtesy of TRL.