CAMBRIDGE, 25th JULY, 2025 – CAMBRIDGE could be one of the first UK cities to see a fleet of low-speed, autonomous vehicles (AVs) hit its roads.
The CitiPod feasibility study is one of 14 projects to have been awarded funding and support from the UK Government and industry through the Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder Feasibility Studies (FS) Competition, delivered by Innovate UK and Zenzic
Led by Cambridge Electric Transport, the study aims to demonstrate the viability of deploying low-speed autonomous vehicles in urban high traffic density areas as well as pedestrian areas, increasing operational efficiency, better commuter services, and improving quality of life in urban areas.
Integrating lightweight, electric autonomous pods like the CitiPod into Cambridge’s public transport system would help slash carbon emissions and make transport more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Cambridge Electric Transport has spent several years developing its UK-built CitiPod and should the feasibility study prove a success and the pods are eventually deployed on Cambridge roads, the company is hopeful it could go on to become another export success story for British CAM.
Sean Moroney, CEO at Cambridge Electric Transport, said: “Our experience with shared micromobility in Cambridgeshire has made us aware of the potential for quadricycles to be more inclusive than bikes and scooters in terms of age, ability and gender. In addition, lightweight vehicles such as the CitiPod that we are developing represent a lower safety risk and can be deployed for a range of autonomous use cases on a relatively low cost basis. One of the pain points in shared micromobility is bike and scooter litter on pavements. Autonomous vehicles that can slowly drive themselves to designated parking areas once riders complete their rides will eliminate this.”
Early tests of autonomous pods and shuttles in densely populated areas across the UK have already demonstrated significant benefits for communities, from improving accessibility to reducing social isolation, tackling driver shortages and offering a more sustainable and cost-effective mode of transport.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership is supporting the study by helping to design use cases, ensure the work links with local transport strategy, and apply its experience of deploying autonomous vehicles.
Dan Clarke, Head of Technology and Innovation at Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “This is an early-stage research project that explores how low-speed autonomous vehicles could reshape the way people and goods move around Cambridge.
“Beyond passenger transport, there is potential for lightweight, electric pods to support for example more sustainable freight movements and improve accessibility in our city. It’s about understanding how this technology could complement our existing transport network and help us build a cleaner, more inclusive future for everyone.”
The Feasibility Studies (FS) Competition is part of the £150million CAM Pathfinder programme which was announced in the Government’s long-awaited Industrial Strategy.
The UK Government sees a thriving CAM ecosystem as being key to driving innovation and helping it realise its ambition of creating a £40bn CAM sector and over 6,500 jobs in the industry by 2040.
Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic, said: “We are thrilled to announce the CitiPod project, spearheaded by Greater Cambridge Partnership and Cambridge Electric Transport, as one of the fourteen exciting CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies taking place across the UK.
“The deployment of Connected and Automated Mobility solutions holds incredible promise – enhancing accessibility, reducing emissions, and fostering a transport network that is both reliable and inclusive. The CitiPod project will serve as a pivotal example in showcasing those benefits.
“We are looking forward to working with the project consortia as they further develop their business case, demonstrate the commercial readiness of the service, and provide vital insight into the opportunities presented by the deployment of CAM solutions in regions throughout the UK.”
For more information on Zenzic, visit: https://zenzic.io/
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Image caption: The CitiPod in Cambridge.
About the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV):
CCAV is a joint policy unit of the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). CCAV leads the way in shaping and delivering the UK government’s policies on connected and autonomous vehicles, ensuring that the UK remains at the cutting edge of this transformative technology.
About Zenzic:
Zenzic was established by government and industry to champion the UK Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) ecosystem. As a collaborative organisation, Zenzic strives to place the UK at the forefront of the global CAM revolution by promoting innovation and enabling UK organisations to make significant contributions to the future of mobility.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. Our mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
Media contact:
Bryce Wilcock, Account Director, Creo Comms
M: 0787 933 9244 | T: 0191 562 3134
E: bryce@creocomms.co.uk