ORKNEY, 24th JULY, 2025 – ONE of the UK’s most historic and remote islands is to host feasibility trials to demonstrate how futuristic autonomous shuttles could operate in the most rural of terrains.
The Kirkwall Autolink in Orkney 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.
Led by Urban Foresight, supported by Aurrigo and The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), the project aims to develop a business case for an autonomous shuttle service to be deployed on the island, connecting Kirkwall Harbour and Kirkwall Airport.
Leveraging the expertise of all three partners, the project aims to combine detailed feasibility assessments with active stakeholder engagement to ensure that technical analyses and market insights directly feed into an actionable business case, paving the way for commercial deployment and setting a benchmark for autonomous transport solutions in rural settings.
Early tests of autonomous shuttles in rural areas have 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.
Callum White, Head of Net Zero Mobility at Urban Foresight, said: “This project is about proving how cutting-edge transport solutions could work beyond cities. By testing the feasibility of autonomous shuttles in a place as unique and remote as Orkney, we aim to show how innovation might support smarter, greener, and more inclusive mobility. It’s an important step toward improving connectivity, support local economies, and building the case for future deployment in rural areas.”
Miles Garner, Chief Commercial Officer at Aurrigo, said: “We’re excited to bring our autonomous vehicle expertise to this pioneering rural mobility project in Orkney. Operating in remote and challenging environments is exactly where autonomous technology can make a difference—delivering reliable, accessible, and sustainable transport where traditional services often fall short. This feasibility study is a vital step toward unlocking the full potential of autonomy for communities that need it most.”
Ranald Robertson, Director of HITRANS, said: “This feasibility study marks an important step in understanding how autonomous, zero-emission transport could support rural communities like those in Orkney. As the UK moves closer to real-world deployment of driverless services from 2026, it’s essential we explore how these technologies can meet the unique challenges, and opportunities, of remote areas. This project will help build the evidence base for more inclusive and sustainable mobility across all parts of the country, not just in cities.”
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 Kirkwall Autolink project, spearheaded by Urban Foresight and supported by Aurrigo and The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), as one of the fourteen exciting CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies taking place across the UK.
“The deployment of Connected and Automated Mobility solutions in our rural towns and cities holds incredible promise – enhancing accessibility, reducing emissions, and fostering a transport network that is both reliable and inclusive. The Kirkwall Autolink 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.”
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About Urban Foresight
Urban Foresight is the UK’s leading consultancy for smart and sustainable places. We work with governments, NGOs, and businesses worldwide to deliver innovative, place-based solutions that tackle societal challenges and support net zero goals.
They combine strategic insight with hands-on delivery, developing business cases, managing pilot projects, and enabling real-world innovation. With a track record of first-of-their-kind initiatives, we bring agility, expertise, and a commitment to lasting impact.
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