SMMT Innovation finalists announced
- 23/10/2015
- Posted by: Simon Wait
- Category: News
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has announced the shortlist for its 2015 Automotive Award for Innovation.
The diverse list includes entries from both start-ups and established businesses, with technologies ranging from virtual reality retail to next-generation driverless car technology. The shortlisted entries are:
Evolute Drive Ltd – MSYS Transmission
Transmission technology for electric vehicles that saves power, helping reduce the size of the battery, and increases vehicle range.
Leyland Trucks – DAF Lightweight Future Truck Chassis (FTCC) Concept
Next-generation truck chassis design that delivers significant weight reduction. A 500kg weight saving leads to an estimated fuel consumption improvement of between 2-6% on a 12-tonne vehicle.
Oxford Advanced Surfaces – Onto SB1000 Adhesion Promoter
A chemical surface treatment that enables polyurethane and epoxy adhesives to be stuck to difficult-to-bond advanced materials – promoting the use of lightweight, more environmentally friendly materials in automotive manufacturing.
Transport Systems Catapult – LUTZ Pathfinder Pods
The UK’s first-ever trial deployment of fully automated, self-driving vehicles in pedestrianised public areas, supporting government’s aim of establishing the UK as a global hub for the development of autonomous vehicle technologies.
ZeroLight – ZeroLight digital 3D car configurator
An advanced car configurator with the potential to transform automotive retailing. 3D graphics create a ‘live’ scene of a car with which buyers can interact in real-time, using either a display screen or a virtual reality headset.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, ‘This year’s entries prove that innovation comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a new type of glue for bonding tricky materials or a 12-tonne truck, any concept that has the potential to radically improve the industry should be supported and celebrated. The 2015 judging panel has its work cut out – choosing one winner will not be an easy task.’
Now in its sixth year, the Award – in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), sponsored by GKN, and supported by The Times – rewards the best UK-developed technologies with potential to influence the automotive sector in years to come. The winner will be announced at the SMMT Annual Dinner on 24 November 2015.