🔍 The key messages from the UK CAM Supply Chain

As the UK accelerates toward connected and automated mobility (CAM) deployment, its supply chain is under the spotlight. How ready is it? Where are the strengths? And what still needs urgent attention?

Zenzic’s latest report, Maturing the UK CAM Supply Chain 2024/25, offers the clearest picture yet. Drawing on extensive industry surveys and interviews, it maps out the current state of UK capabilities and sets out the actions needed to make CAM a scalable, commercial reality.

Here are five key insights shaping the UK’s path forward:

  1. ⚙ A Growing CAM Supply Chain—But Critical Support Is Still Needed

The UK CAM supply chain is broadening and maturing. From software and engineering services to testing and simulation tools, many capability areas are gaining traction. But that growth is uneven.

The report highlights structural vulnerabilities in insurance, OEM platforms, hardware, and communications infrastructure—all of which are essential for future deployment. Without targeted support, these gaps could limit the UK’s ability to scale CAM services, especially as commercial trials ramp up in the coming years.

Collaboration between government, industry and investors is essential to address these challenges and build a resilient, future-ready supply chain.

  1. 🚧 Market Readiness Is Low—But That Means Opportunity

The maturity analysis shows that, while there is a solid foundation of innovation across the UK, many CAM products and services are not yet market-ready. On the surface, that’s a concern—but it’s also a major opportunity.

With the Automated Vehicles Act primary legislation is now in place and full regulations expected by 2027, there’s a clear legislative pathway for CAM. This gives UK companies time and direction to develop, test and commercialise new offerings—especially in logistics, off-highway, and early passenger use cases.

CAM is entering a critical growth window. Companies that act now will be best placed to benefit.

  1. 💡 There are Strategic Advantages in the UK’s CAM Supply Chain

While physical infrastructure and manufacturing capacity may still be developing, the UK’s strength in digital IP, AI, simulation, and data systems stands out. These software-led capabilities are in high demand across the global CAM landscape and are foundational to safety, perception, automation, and system integration.

If the UK plays to its strengths and supports key enablers, CAM could become a defining capability of its future mobility and innovation economy.

  1. đŸ’· Investment Confidence Hinges on Real-World Deployment

The report reinforces what the investment community already suspects: demonstrated demand and deployment are crucial to securing funding beyond software.

Capital is still concentrated in data-rich, high-growth areas—but scaling hardware, infrastructure and vehicle platform innovation will require stronger commercial signals. Investors need evidence that business models are viable and that demand is evident to justify an increase in scale.

To unlock that confidence, CAM must move from technical trials to commercial case studies, especially in high potential, near market opportunities is key.

  1. đŸ—ș Regional Participation Is Growing—but Focus Remains Centralised

This year’s survey saw increased engagement from Scotland, Wales and the North of England, showing broader recognition of CAM’s value across the UK.

However, activity remains concentrated in the West Midlands, Southeast and London, underlining the need for a more distributed spread of investment across regions to truly unlock the benefits of CAM across the UK. Strengthening regional ecosystems will not only unlock local economic value but also reduce risk in national supply chain resilience.

📘 Download the Full Report

The Maturing the UK CAM Supply Chain report provides detailed breakdowns of capability by region and category, insights from industry leaders, and strategic recommendations to support sector growth.

đŸ“„ Download it now at https://zenzic.io/insights/strategic-research/supply-chain/