As part of the CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, the UK government has awarded funding to a series of autonomous bus pilot projects.
These projects aim to advance the deployment of connected and automated mobility (CAM) services, demonstrating the commercial and operational viability of driverless public transport.
Backed by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV)—a joint unit of the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Transport—the programme is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.
These projects build on earlier CAM trials and focus on real-world service deployment in complex urban and campus environments.
StreetCAV Plus – Milton Keynes Shuttle Service
Led by Smart City Consultancy Ltd, this project will deploy a public autonomous shuttle bus in and around central Milton Keynes. The service aims to showcase how driverless vehicles can be integrated into live urban traffic environments.
Key partners include ECS, Cablefree, Ohmio and Milton Keynes City Council.
SCALE 2 – Connecting Key West Midlands Hubs
Spearheaded by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, SCALE 2 will operate a public shuttle service linking Birmingham International Rail Station, the NEC campus and Birmingham Business Park.
Building on the success of the initial SCALE project, this second phase involves a wide partnership network including IPG, NEC, Coventry University, Ohmio, Coventry City Council, Transport for West Midlands, WMG and dRISK.
Connector 2 – Expanding Autonomous Services in Cambridge
Connector 2 will extend existing autonomous shuttle trials to cover Cambridge West, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and selected routes on the guided busway network.
Delivered by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, the project brings together Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis and dRISK, with a focus on improving reliability, integration and passenger experience in mixed-use corridors.
AutonoBus – Enabling Technology for Advanced Bus Applications
This project, led by Fusion Processing, aims to commercialise its Fusion AV platform by adding features such as blue light detection and Auto Lane Keep Assist for heavier duty passenger vehicles.
The work is supported by bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis and research partner Edinburgh Napier University, and focuses on creating a robust solution for larger autonomous buses in real-world conditions.
These trials represent a significant step forward for the UK’s bus sector, which faces growing pressure to deliver more flexible, efficient, and sustainable mobility solutions. The CAM Pathfinder funding will help these projects move from controlled environments into operational settings, allowing stakeholders to gather critical data on safety, public acceptance, and commercial potential.
Broader CAM Support Across Transport
In addition to the bus-focused projects, several other CAM Pathfinder initiatives received funding, including:
- RAMP Ready – Autonomous baggage dollies and passenger shuttles at airports (Aurrigo and UPS)
- P-Cal – Autonomous container movement at the Port of Tyne
- DriveSAFESim – Virtual testing and safety assurance led by Wayve and WMG
- Sim4CAMSens 2 – Developing advanced sensor models and simulation tools for CAM systems
Together, these projects form part of a 150 million GBP investment under the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, designed to prepare the market for CAM services and grow the domestic supply chain.
Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero at Innovate UK said:This latest investment in the UK's CAM sector by Government, announced in the Industrial Strategy, will enable the UK to continue at the forefront of this technology. It’s a chance to accelerate business growth, build supply chains of the future, develop new solutions and boost skills. This is a vote of confidence in the industry's potential and Innovate UK looks forward to working with business and our partners as these technologies move ever closer to being commonplace in our everyday lives.
