New business support to boost innovation in intelligent mobility market

New funded support will enable SMEs across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to make their mark in the intelligent mobility market.

Staffordshire Connected & Intelligent Mobility Innovation Accelerator (SCIMIA) has secured £986,000 from the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership which will support innovations in intelligent mobility including the development of new products, services and processes.

The intelligent mobility market is predicted to reach £900 billion by 2025 and Staffordshire University is to use its expertise in artificial intelligence, internet of things, big data, cloud computing, manufacturing, engineering, electronics and creative design to offered tailored support to up to 45 eligible small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Marek Hornak, Head of Employer Partnerships and Enterprise said:

Intelligent mobility is an exciting market where our research, expertise and student base can add significant value to Staffordshire SMEs when developing new innovative products or services through knowledge exchange.

Future of mobility is one of the priority strands in the government’s Industrial Strategy as well as key part of our Local Industrial Strategy and being a regional lead in this area adds to the existing business support on offer through our Innovation Enterprise Zone.’’

Whilst intelligent mobility refers to the optimised movement of people and goods, support will also be made available to SME’s who are looking to streamline operations and integrate technology to improve end-user journeys.

The key to opportunities in the intelligent mobility market are identified as the interconnections made through a range of industries and technologies including:
• Vehicle manufacturing;
• Electronic sensors and controls;
• ICT/ digital and data;
• Logistics and distribution;
• Infrastructure management.

Chairman of the LEP Alun Rogers added;

Ultimately we are looking to stimulate investment in research and development and to deliver innovation-led growth by building on our regional manufacturing, logistics, transport and digital business base and strengths identified in our evolving Local Industrial Strategy (LIS).”

For more information on eligibility and support available through Staffordshire Connected and Intelligent Mobility Innovation Accelerator, please contact employers@staffs.ac.uk