AirPOD set to take to the skies
A flying delivery system combining driverless technology with a drone is being developed in Kingswinford.
Westfield Autonomous Vehicles, part of Westfield Technology Group, is working with Shropshire's Harper Adams University on the AirPOD project.
The project, which also involves Cranfield University in Bedford, could eventually be adapted to carry passengers to help reduce congestion on the roads.
AirPOD is being funded by Innovate UK and the Niche Vehicle Network and will utilise technology from the automotive industry and the aviation industry.
It will use the latest technology in automation sensing for navigation and technology in the form of battery, bio-composite materials, autonomous control and lightweight materials.
Westfield, which also includes Westfield Sportscars, is already developing self-driving Westfield PODs for the road at its base on Gibbons Industrial Park, Dudley Road.
It says AirPOD would be a more efficient, environmentally friendly and convenient multi-application platform.
Westfield believes it could be utilised in emergency care enabling medical goods to be transferred rapidly between hospitals and in providing medical support and aid in rural locations such as the Lake District.
The drone will initially be deployed and charged from the roof of Westfield's POD.
A programme of trials are now planned which will take in Warwick Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, Christies Hospital Manchester and the Lake District.
Westfield chief executive Julian Turner said: “The AirPOD could revolutionise rural areas in terms of emergency care. We are delighted to work with Harper Adams on this project who are at the forefront of advancing these applications.”
Westfield Autonomous Vehicles' PODs have already transported more than 3.6 million passengers over 3.4 million miles.
Harper Adams University is currently working on harvesting a hectare of cereal crops using autonomous drones, crop sprayers and tractors.
Westfield, which was founded in 1983, produces kit sports cars and also completed vehicles. It has sold more than 13,000 worldwide.
Earlier this year it won an innovation award for its research into self-driving vehicles in the Autocar Awards 2018.
The Westfield POD is the UK’s first fully electric autonomous vehicle for ‘first mile last mile’ transportation and has been developed in conjunction with Heathrow Airport.
Alongside the Westfield POD, the company is also developing the UK’s first autonomous low volume M1 Vehicle. The GTM, a two-seater sports car, will be able to drive in manual or fully autonomous mode. The GTM will be available in petrol, hybrid and pure electric.
