26 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2023 TECHNICAL/AFTERMARKET OF THE FUTURE www.aftermarketonline.net Zenzic announces CAM Scale-Up 2023 winners In July, Zenzic announced the latest five companies to receive support via its prestigious CAM Scale-Up UK programme. They are, in alphabetical order: Gamma Energy, Helix Geospace, Megasets, Reed Mobility, and Robotiz3d. Gamma specialises in renewable energy and is a partner in the Project Cambridge Connector on-demand selfdriving taxi trial. Helix develops antennas and array systems to improve navigation precision and offer enhanced resilience against jamming and spoofing. Reed Mobility is the independent expert consultancy on future mobility run by Dr Nick Reed, while Robotiz3d is developing robots with machine learning capabilities for road maintenance, particularly fixing potholes. A Zenzic statement read: “These pioneering companies have demonstrated remarkable potential in the field of connected and automated mobility, and we are excited to support their journey towards bringing their innovative solutions to the market. “Their participation in the Zenzic CAM Scale-Up UK programme will provide them with unique opportunities to test and refine their products at the renowned CAM Testbed UK facilities, ensuring their solutions meet the highest standards of performance and safety.” Anne Snelson, founder of Lead With Sustainability, is one of the UK’s leading experts in transport carbon literacy – can self-driving help? “As well as the climate emergency, there’s the practical day-to-day problem that much of our road network is constantly on the verge of gridlock,” she said. “So, we push the move to electric and also the fact that we simply must reduce car use. “Good public transport is part of the solution, as is active travel. We also look at smart city ideas like 15-minute neighbourhoods – having everything you need within easy reach. That involves tackling thorny issues such as car ownership and car sharing. “First, there has to be the provision, and then you have to incentivise people to make the switch. For example, with separate lanes for multi-occupancy vehicles. If alternative modes are faster and cheaper then people will naturally change their behaviours. “Connectivity can bring about changes even before we get to the higher levels of driving automation. Software could give Mr Jones the option of picking up Mr Smith, who is just round the corner and going to the same place, and that choice could be incentivised. “A potentially negative scenario with selfdriving is you could have lots of empty vehicles driving around causing further congestion. That’s arguably worse than having a big SUV with only the driver in it, which, ridiculously, you still see all the time. The increasing size of luxury vehicles is another issue. “In London, a high percentage of people have already given up their cars, because they’re so expensive and inefficient. Sometimes all you need is a change in attitude. “We’re working with local authorities and businesses of all shapes and sizes to educate people about these issues, to raise awareness of UK and international climate policies, to make people realise they can change the world for the better by reducing greenhouse gases. “Particularly within councils, we encourage people to break out of their silos. A major problem is that, very often, parking is still separate from air quality, which is separate from highways, with little discussion between these divisions. “Without major changes in the way we live, we’re heading for some pretty hard times. Fortunately, cities such as Glasgow and Nottingham already have ambitious carbon zero targets. “Evolving technologies like clean fuel buses, self-driving or otherwise, will be part of that. My aim is to motivate people to reduce emissions at a personal, community and business level. And, in the process, they’ll save money too.” Can self-driving help cut emissions and congestion? Neil Kennett looks at cutting-edge auto tech coming to a workshop near you soon AFTERMARKET OF THE FUTURE A commentator on the UK aftermarket since before Concorde was grounded, Neil is Editor of Carsofthefuture.co.uk, providing news and views about driverless vehicles, and Director of Communications at Selfdrivingpr.com, experts in automotive/autonomous media and public relations
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