Researchers from the University of Glasgow University are joining forces with other agencies and universities across the continent to deliver next-generation technology needed for driverless cars. 

The Adam Smith Business school will partner up with the European Space Agency (ESA), the UK Space Agency, telecommunication provider O2 and The University of Oxford in the new research project named Project DARWIN.

Project DARWIN aims to test seamless high-speed data connections for driverless cars using the latest generation of mobile communications 5G and satellites. 

Although the new technology will be developed by engineers based at the Harwell Campus at the University of Oxford, the team at the Adam Smith Business School will complement the development and research new business models, technology management and policies needed to successfully commercialise the new project.

A budget of more than €5 million in total has been allocated for the initial proof-of-concept phase of Project DARWIN. Dr Stephan von Delft, Senior Lecturer in Strategy at the Adam Smith Business School, who leads research on new business models, said:

“I am delighted that our team from the Adam Smith Business School is a partner in this exciting project. We look forward collaborating across disciplines and to engage with corporate partners.”

Professor Nuran Acur, Professor of Innovation Management at the Adam Smith Business School, who leads research on technology management and policy engagement added:

“One of University of Glasgow’s progressive values is ‘understanding the past, shaping the digital future’.

"The insights we gain in this project will enable us to develop a new agenda for future, cross-disciplinary research in several areas of innovation and technology management.”