A new £1.3 million competition aimed at revolutionising the transport sector, bolstering the economy, and stimulating innovation was inaugurated today, 17 April 2024.
The current phase of the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) programme, administered by Connected Places Catapult, is now accepting entries. The scheme offers funding opportunities up to £45,000 for organisations and academics dedicated to pioneering early-stage research initiatives. The objective of TRIG is to enhance the nation’s transportation system and reinforce the skilled workforce within the UK as part of a broader government strategy to stimulate economic growth.
Past recipients of TRIG awards have significantly enhanced passenger experiences throughout the country by developing solutions such as a shuttle bus application for rural areas, expanding 5G data coverage to maritime travel, employing AI technology to supply real-time transport data to local authorities, and experimenting with hydrogen as a cleaner energy source for air and sea transport.
The Minister of Decarbonisation, Aviation and Technology, Anthony Browne, commented on the initiative, stating that the ongoing support for the TRIG competition aligns with the government’s commitment to advancing transport nationwide by financing innovative projects for over a decade.
This year’s competition seeks proposals in several key areas including bespoke transport solutions for different nations within the UK, innovative strategies for local transport decarbonisation, maritime decarbonisation, the application of critical and emerging technologies such as AI and drones, and a general category for broader transport challenges.
Following the success of the previous year’s TRIG competition, which funded 41 projects including an AI-driven initiative to decrease overcrowding at train stations and an autonomous boat for parcel deliveries, this year’s applications are open from today until 21 May 2024.
Erika Lewis, Chief Executive at Connected Places Catapult, emphasised the central role of innovation in transforming the UK’s transport system, enhancing service delivery, and achieving environmental goals. The TRIG programme, she noted, has been instrumental in supporting the development of transformative ideas, providing not only financial backing but also extensive business support to help innovators realise their commercial potential.
Over the past decade, the TRIG programme has disbursed over £14 million in funding to more than 400 companies, fostering a range of projects from enhancing transport accessibility to redefining the future of freight logistics. Many TRIG-funded projects have successfully transitioned from the conceptual stage to demonstration and scaling, proving the programme’s effectiveness in nurturing a continuous stream of innovation.
Among the notable successes is RideTandem, a company that has developed a shuttle bus service application, which has been particularly beneficial for rural communities. Tatseng Chiam, Co-Founder and COO of RideTandem, attributed the early success of the company to the initial support from TRIG, which helped the company navigate through significant challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, Jet Connectivity, led by CEO James Thomas, has leveraged TRIG funding to expand its 5G maritime network, enhancing connectivity for maritime operations through the deployment of floating 5G buoys, thus facilitating better communication for seafarers under challenging conditions.
