In an era where innovation and technology are redefining our everyday lives, the landscape of mobility is no exception.  

The UK is set to benefit from a transformative journey that will unlock £66 billion annual economic benefit by 2040 through Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology.  

This is an opportunity outlined in the report Connected and automated mobility: The UK economic and market opportunities by the  Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).  

The future is CAM 

CAM technology enables vehicles to navigate without human intervention while connecting with each other and the surrounding infrastructure.  

The benefits of embracing CAM technology noted in the report extend beyond economics: 

  • Safety: CAM technology has the potential to save 3,900 lives and prevent 60,000 serious accidents by 2040. It’s a significant stride towards safer roads and journeys for everyone. 
  • Economy: CAM technology could create up to 342,000 additional jobs, with 12,250 of them directly related to automotive manufacturing. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the UK’s economic backbone. 
  • Daily life: For the British public, CAM could offer lower insurance premiums, stress-free commutes and greater freedom for individuals with restricted mobility. Businesses can look forward to increased efficiency in moving goods and conducting industrial processes. 

With a significant public-private investment of more than £600 million already committed to CAM testing since 2015, government and industry must now create the conditions to safely and responsibly deploy the technology across passenger cars, services and commercial and industrial vehicles.  

While the UK is already well -placed to implement CAM technology into passenger cars, significant new opportunities for growth exist in eight other markets, thanks to the ability of CAM tech to deliver efficiency and productivity gains in everyday transport and business activities. 

The SMMT report’s key findings 

The SMMT report, funded by Innovate UK and supported by the Automotive Council and Zenzic, outlines a spectrum of opportunities across various sectors: 

  • On-road logistics: This sector holds the potential to be the largest, with an annual revenue of £15.2 billion by 2040. It underscores the importance of implementing CAM features in commercial HGVs and vans, ranging from long-distance haulage to last-mile home deliveries. 
  • On-road passenger services: Buses, taxis and ride-hailing services are in line to benefit, with a possible annual revenue of £3.7 billion. 
  • Off-road logistics: Vehicles used in warehouses, ports and airports represent a sector with potential annual revenue of £2.3 billion.
  • Mining and agriculture: Early deployment opportunities are also on the horizon in these sectors, where public access is limited or non-existent. 

Where our vision aligns with the SMMT report 

Zenzic, in partnership with Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), is proud to align our CAM Supply Chain UK initiatives with the findings in this report. 

Zenzic’s CAM Supply Chain UK work, funded by CCAV, has awarded £16 million to 13 projects across the UK. These efforts are helping propel the UK into a global CAM ecosystem.

As the SMMT report highlights the potential economic impact of CAM in the UK and its transformative effects on different sectors, it becomes evident that key interventions are crucial.

Zenzic, in collaboration with its partners, is committed to: 

  • Advocating for new legislation and regulatory reforms to enable the full commercial rollout of CAM. 
  • Encouraging targeted financial support to de-risk private sector investments and stimulate innovation-driven growth. 
  • Supporting the development of new digital and software skills through our programmes.
  • Implementing effective public education and communication initiatives to ensure public acceptance and safe use of CAM. 

What’s next? 

With a clear vision and concerted efforts from both government and industry, CAM has the potential to become a driving force for the UK economy.  

We are committed to stand at the forefront of this revolution, actively contributing to the UK’s leadership in CAM technology and innovation.  

Download the report in full here. 

If you would like to hear more about how we are helping drive the CAM revolution, please get in touch.