WMG to build UK Mobility Data Institute with £20m from Budget 2018

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will receive up to £20 million to allow Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) to create the UK Mobility Data Institute.

The news was revealed by the Chancellor of Exchequer, Philip Hammond, after his Budget 2018 speech on 29 October.

The new institute, which will be built on the University of Warwick’s campus, aims to maximise the business benefits of the West Midlands, which is the first Future Mobility Area in the UK.

The region leads the way to “clean, electrified, connected and integrated transport systems” as “the advent of new mobility technologies” approaches.

Mayor Andy Street said: “This will further cement the West Midlands position at the cutting edge of innovation in technology and communications.

“The region is already at the forefront of the development of 5G connectivity, connected and autonomous vehicles and electric vehicle technology.

“The Mobility Data Institute will enable us to make better use of our transport data to reduce congestion and improve public transports and make a difference to the people living and working in the West Midlands.”

The research centre will provide computing, technical, and connectivity resources for the development of transport technology, in aspects such as the economy, productivity, and the environment.

WMG, which is “the heart of the UK’s first 5G urban connected area and the home of future mobility innovation”, will partner with WMCA to create the centre.

Chairman Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said: “The new UK Mobility Data Institute will build on WMG’s proven global expertise in research and application of smart, connected, autonomous and electrified transport and our history of business engagement and impact.

“It will provide the technical, business and ethical solutions needed to underpin the UK’s first mover advantage as a global leader in the adoption of new transport systems and all the regulatory and policy responses that will be needed.”