The Department for Transport will provide almost £1.1 million to help nine small to medium sized enterprises explore ways to meet challenges in freight and logistics, writes Peter Brown.
Each recipient will test innovative technologies that could transform the face of freight and logistics in the UK, through the government’s Freight Innovation Fund.
Aviation, maritime and decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “We know how crucial the freight industry is to keep Britain moving, and how important it is that transport is equipped to face modern-day challenges.
“Our funding will allow businesses to start trialling their revolutionary technology on our roads, ports and railways, meaning they can make an immediate difference and help grow the economy.”
The projects include:
Anteam: AI platform matches underutilised or empty transport space with real-time logistics demand, enabling freight operators to share their logistics capacity to reduce miles on the road for smarter, more sustainable operations.
Berkeley Coachworks: New generation of lightweight trailers developed using advanced composite materials and motorsport-inspired aerodynamic design. By rethinking how trailers are built, aiming to cut carbon both in the manufacturing process and every mile travelled on the road.
GoLink Advisory Group: Trialling a new high-speed rail freight operation designed specifically for the courier, express, parcel (CEP) sector. The service will combine fast, brand new modern electric locomotives (Class 93) with electric HGVs to create a fully integrated, low-carbon transport solution for long-distance linehaul networks.
Optimal Cities: To provide a digital platform that empowers ports, cities and logistics operators to make data-driven decisions for better health, safety and sustainability. In partnership with Wincanton, Portsmouth International Port and Port of Tyne.
Rhevia: Building a movement intelligence platform that provides ports and operators with a live, predictive picture of how trailers, vehicles and people flow through their environments. Using advanced radar technology, Rhevia detects movement in three dimensions while preserving privacy, delivering an unparalleled data layer for safe and efficient operations.
SLANT Sustainable Technologies: Trialling an electric trailer system that helps couriers carry more cargo, more easily, without using motor vehicles. The system is adaptable to most bike trailers and uses an integrated motor to assist with heavy loads, making deliveries faster, safer and more sustainable.
SpatialCortex Technology: Protecting freight sector staff from musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injury risks to ensure long-term health and safety by trialling MOVA, a wearable sensor and AI-driven safety solution that monitors posture, movement and strain in real time, helping identify and reduce MSD and ergonomic risks in demanding freight environments.
Supply Chain Analysis: Trialling an AI-powered planning and scheduling tool with DFDS, designed to improve the movement and handling of trailers in ferry operations. The system uses real-time and historical data to forecast trailer dwell times, destinations and handling needs before they arrive or depart. Working with DFDS.
Zizo: Its platform, Zizo Confluence, combines a patented technology platform with GenAI to deliver data analysis on massive datasets, while ensuring trusted outcomes and granular data. This data can be used to drive improvements in decarbonisation, operational efficiency or to develop new products and/or services.
