Solihull’s successful self-driving shuttle trial to be extended

The successful trial of a public self-driving shuttle service in Solihull is set to be extended.

The SCALE project, which began public trials in March 2025, is one of eight projects to have received funding from the UK Government-funded Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder – Enhancements programme.

The programme is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a joint unit between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Transport (DfT), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.

The projects are part of the £150million CAM Pathfinder programme announced in the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which aims to address the complexities in commercialising CAM solutions, to support and grow the UK’s CAM supply chain and ready the market for CAM services, enhancing both investment and export opportunities.

Each of the projects – including SCALE 2 - has already conducted work supported by UK Government, with this additional funding set to help the consortiums behind each project further develop and demonstrate their commerciality.

SCALE 2 will build on the success of the initial SCALE project, which saw the three-strong fleet of self-driving shuttles transport passengers across the NEC campus, by extending the service to cover a 7km route linking Birmingham International rail station to Birmingham Business Park which hosts up to 10,000 visitors a day.

The pioneering project – which is a first of its kind in the UK - is being delivered by a consortium led by Solihull Council, including both WMG at the University of Warwick and Coventry University, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), autonomous vehicle manufacturer Ohmio, the NEC, Coventry City Council and automated vehicle simulation specialists IPG and dRISK.

Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Planning, said:

“Our CAM shuttle trial has already delivered hugely valuable real-world insight into how automated vehicles can safely operate in busy, public settings.

“It’s been a landmark initiative for Solihull Council and our consortium partners and an encouraging glimpse of what future transport could look like.

“With the expansion into a more complex route, we’re entering an exciting next chapter. This phase will further deepen our understanding and move us one step closer to a future where safer, smarter and more sustainable transport is an everyday reality.”

Zenzic was created by government and industry to champion the UK Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) ecosystem and lead the UK in accelerating the self-driving revolution.

Mark Cracknell, programme director at Zenzic, said: “We’re delighted to announce the SCALE 2 project as one of the eight exciting CAM Pathfinder - Enhancements projects taking place across the UK.

“The deployment of Connected and Automated Mobility solutions holds incredible promise - enhancing accessibility, reducing emissions, and fostering a transport network that is both reliable and inclusive.

“The SCALE 2 project will serve as a fantastic showcase of these benefits.

“We are looking forward to working with the project consortia as they further develop their work, and showcase their technology, and help to cement CAM as an industry of the future.”