Horiba Mira and Coventry University launch Autonomous Vehicle research centre

Horiba Mira has joined forces with Coventry University to launch a new automotive research centre dedicated to developing intelligent, connected vehicle technology.

The Centre for Connected & Autonomous Automotive Research will pioneer and test new developments to support the rapid growth within the global intelligent mobility sector and address future transport needs. The centre is located on an existing site at the heart of Mira Technology Park – which is also home to test centres run by a number of different tyre manufacturers. Its core objectives are to:

• Provide an environment to simulate, test and evaluate the security and safety of Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV)
• Undertake research to accelerate the development of new products and services in the CAV segment
• Produce a pipeline of talent to support growth of the CAV segment

An initial team of up to 20 academic staff members and doctoral research students from Coventry University alongside Horiba Mira’s engineering and test teams will be working on kick-off activities and projects at the Centre, which will also benefit from a range of information and communications technology and specialist laboratories. With in-house facilities combining the real and virtual worlds for CAV, the Centre will utilise a suite of simulators that interact with ‘living laboratory’ environments.

Dr George Gillespie OBE, CEO at Horiba Mira, said: “We are incredibly pleased to announce this major expansion in our partnership with Coventry University. The new centre will provide a hub for rapidly expanding the scope of the engineering and test services we offer our clients within CAV, and an environment where we can learn with our clients to ensure these new services are tailored to their needs in this fast-evolving technology area.

“The launch of this facility reiterates Horiba Mira’s commitment to transforming our business to meet the challenges and opportunities provided by the rapid growth of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.”

Professor John Latham, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, said: “Our collaboration with Horiba Mira is part of a multi-million pound investment that Coventry University is undertaking in teaching, research and development within the transport sector. The new centre is being established to drive the high-quality, high-impact research needed to underpin UK capabilities in the development of connected and autonomous vehicle technology.

“Closer working between academia and industry is vital if we are to tackle the economic challenges facing us at both a regional and national level. We are therefore delighted to be working in partnership with Horiba Mira on this venture which will allow innovation, experimentation and study to happen at the same time.”