WMG News - Latest news from WMG
WMG Professor appointed to UK Government's Expert Advisory Panel
Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG at The University of Warwick, has been appointed as a member of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV)Expert Advisory Panel (EAP).
Along with another 11 panel members, Professor Khastgir will advise and inform on the implementation programme and policies within the UK's Automated Vehicles (AV) Act.
UK Government postpones fully self-driving vehicles
Professor Siddartha Khastgir, comments on the UK Government's plans to postpone fully self-driving vehicles in the UK to 2027.
Professor Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, The University of Warwick, said:
‘‘The government’s new proposed date of rolling out self-driving vehicles on UK roads is the correct approach to ensure the safety of the technology and the public. Any policy decision, especially for emerging technologies like self-driving vehicles, must be made by gathering and using scientific evidence.
“While we are glad to see that many international self-driving developers would like to deploy their products in the UK, the recent technology recalls in the US and China are a testimony to the fact that we are still learning. More needs to be done before we can introduce the technology on our roads.
“At WMG, we believe safety has two sides: engineering safety and communicating safety. We need global consensus on both aspects, and we are championing this by working with our international partners.’’
US-UK trade deal expert comment
Professor David GreenwoodLink opens in a new window, CEO WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Director for Industrial Engagement, comments on the US-UK trade deal and the impact on the automotive industry.
“This reduction in tariffs will be welcome news to our partners in the automotive industry and their extensive supply chains. As home to JLRLink opens in a new window and Aston MartinLink opens in a new window (amongst others) - two of the biggest and most profitable UK exporters of premium vehicles to the US – the West Midlands is particularly sensitive to any tariffs on the automotive sector.
“This reduced tariff means that manufacturers in the region can have greater confidence in continuing production here in the UK. It will also be a relief to the extensive supply chains that exist here, particularly for our SME community, which will benefit from much greater certainty and stability. Whereas the previous 27.5% tariffs would likely have led to structural changes in the industry, a 10% rate can be more feasibly absorbed by a combination of cost reduction, margin reduction and price increase.
“The 100,000 car export quota approximately matches current levels of vehicle exports to the US; historically export numbers have been much higher, so we would hope for opportunity for that figure to increase over time as the deal shows benefits for both sides.”
Securing the future of manufacturing in Wales – expert comment
Jacqui MurrayLink opens in a new window, HVM Catapult Director of South Wales, spoke at the Welsh Affairs CommitteeLink opens in a new window.
“I was delighted to join the Welsh Affairs Committee to talk about investment in Wales and how government and businesses can work together to benefit the economy and local communities. Wales is well-positioned to capitalise on the opportunities in manufacturing. To seize those opportunities, it’s important for government to support skills development (particularly apprentices and degree apprentices), have great planning and permitting services and a pipeline of sites that are ready for investment in strategic areas.
“The High Value Manufacturing Catapult, including Warwick Manufacturing Group, is uniquely situated to support inward investors and help them connect with supply chains, with more than 3,800 specialists across manufacturing. Catapult’s modelling capabilities can help investors deploy the most cutting edge and the most productive manufacturing technologies. Bringing industry knowledge, research, innovation and investment together is key to securing the future of manufacturing in Wales.”
Self-driving shuttle route goes live
WMG at The University of Warwick is part of a pioneering project, led by Solihull CouncilLink opens in a new window, to develop a self-driving fully-electric shuttle service at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham.
A new autonomous vehicle trial is now underway, and visitors to the NEC can now take advantage of a pioneering self-driving shuttle service which will be in operation during busy events.
The Solihull & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project is a collaborative initiative, aimed at better understanding the role self-driving vehicles might one day play within our future transport system.
Celebrating British Science Week
Staff and students from across WMG at the University of Warwick had another busy, fun-packed British Science Week, taking part in a total of 11 special STEM events reaching out to more than 1,500 young scientists, teachers, and families.
British Science WeekLink opens in a new window is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths running from 7-16 March.
WMG staff and students joined the Outreach Team at the University of Warwick’s Resonate Festival of Science and Technology; led science workshops at schools and held the Royal Institution (Ri) Engineering Masterclasses and celebration events.
The Resonate Festival of Science and Technology welcomed over 500 people. Here the WMG team ran ‘Inventors, Explorers and Engineers’, which featured a robot maze; a robot vehicle battle arena; coding workshops; a controllable model train system and more.
WMG launches new Supply Chain Innovation Hub in collaboration with JLR
WMG at The University of Warwick is proud to announce the launch of the JLR-WMG Supply Chain Innovation Hub. Working in partnership with luxury automotive manufacturer JLR, the hub is aground-breaking research and industry collaboration aimed at developing innovative and best-in-class supply chain solutions.
The hub aims to foster a dynamic and collaborative environment, engaging with JLRLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window to develop cutting-edge supply chain solutions. The partnership will pave the way for data-driven intelligent supply chain solutions while promoting sustainability and resilience in the supply chain impacted by a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex & Ambiguous) world.
Led by Professor Alok ChoudharyLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, Head of Supply Chain ResearchLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window at WMG, and Dr Heiko Gierhardt, Director of Material Fulfilment for Industrial Operations at JLR, this collaboration will establish a ‘Living Lab’ environment.
WMG to manage new HVM Catapult site
The High Value Manufacturing(HVM) Catapult has officially opened a new cutting-edge digital factory hub in Baglan, South Wales. HVM Catapult Baglan will be managed by WMG in collaboration with AMRC Cymru, which will run the digital factory hub. The hub has been granted £1.5 million of Welsh Government innovation funding and will showcase the latest digital technologies including a SMART workbench, advanced robotics, virtual and augmented reality and additive manufacturing.
West Midlands students introduced to STEM careers
On Wednesday (12th February), the WMG OutreachLink opens in a new window Team hosted an Engineering Industry Day at the Degree Apprenticeship Centre, at The University of Warwick.
The team welcomed over 100 Year 8 and 9 students from across the West Midlands, including those from Barr’s Hill School, Eden Girls School, Yardleys School, Harris C of E Academy and West Coventry Academy.
The event aimed to inspire students from groups under-represented in STEM to consider careers in engineering ahead of them choosing their GCSE subjects.
This project was led by Marie Diebolt, the Outreach Project Officer on the High Value Manufacturing CatapultLink opens in a new window Inspiring Young Engineers project. The project aims to foster a positive culture of engineering in young people and create the future engineering workforce.
On the day, students were welcomed by Professor Kerry KirwanLink opens in a new window who encouraged them to reflect on what their career path might look like. They met employers from various engineering sectors including RambollLink opens in a new window, JLRLink opens in a new window, Aston Martin Lagonda LtdLink opens in a new window, Legacy Manufacturing Solutions LimitedLink opens in a new window, CapgeminiLink opens in a new window, and SAPLink opens in a new window, and WMG apprentices.
WMG hosts Dynamic Beam Shaping workshop for the laser welding industry
WMG, at the University of Warwick, recently hosted a workshop to announce the start of its EU-funded Lasers4MaaS project, and the launch of its new Advanced Laser Welding with Dynamic Beam Shaping Lab - the first of its kind in the UK.
The event welcomed scientists, academics, and industry professionals from the high-value manufacturing sector, and provided a platform to share insights into the latest advancements in laser welding technologies, powered by dynamic beam shaping and digital technologies.
The workshop was chaired by WMG’s Reader and Lasers4MaaS’s coordinator, Dr Pasquale Franciosa, with Link opens in a new windowWMG’s Chief Technology Officer, Simon Webb,Link opens in a new window opening the event by highlighting the importance of strategic R&D programmes in advancing manufacturing.