Self-driving boats set to help achieve net zero targets

The government is funding innovative projects with the aim to tranform the future of transport and help the UK achieve its net zero targets.

Decarbonisation, aviation and technology minister, Anthony Browne, has announced the 41 winning projects of the 2023 Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) competition, which will share more than £1.8 million between them. This will fund the development of exciting new concepts, such as an automated boat that could reduce road emissions by delivering parcels by water.

It is set to support this year's winning projects such as the the development of a futuristic self-driving parcel boat and an artifical intelliegnce (AI) tool to manage railway station passenger levels.

Most of the projects (83 per cent) are located outside London, with more than half outside the wider South East region.

Decarbonisation, Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said the UK is entering the "dawn of a new age for transport."

He said: "AI can now help tackle universal challenges like station overcrowding or road congestion by using our historic waterways to deliver parcels by self-driving boat."

Browne called the initiatives "exciting" and said they "represent the best of British innovation."

Other winning projects include using data analysis to identify ideal sites for electric heavy goods vehicle charging infrastructure across Scotland, supporting the industry’s transition to electric.

Another project named Duku aims to address issues in maritime electric vehicle charging by testing its accessible charger for small passenger ferries and sightseeing vessels to improve inclusivity and sustainability among coastal communities.

TRIG has been operating for ten years, funding more than 400 companies with more than £14 million in investment.