Aurrigo International plc, one of the UK’s leading autonomous technology innovators, has secured nearly £700,000 in funding from the Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder – Enhancements programme to expand its pioneering ‘autonomous cargo’ operations at East Midlands Airport.
The Coventry-based firm, which employs over 110 people at its advanced engineering centre, will accelerate its Ramp Ready initiative, deploying two of its Auto-Cargo® autonomous vehicles alongside an eight-passenger Auto-Shuttle®. The project aims to refine a multi-vehicle fleet framework for airside logistics over the next nine months, enabling simultaneous cargo and aircrew transport.
Key innovations under Ramp Ready include enhanced environmental testing, expanded simulation capabilities, and modular, low-volume manufacturing methods designed to reduce costs and accelerate scalability. The programme will support the commercial readiness of both cargo and passenger autonomous vehicles, while generating critical operational data to inform ongoing development.
David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, said:
“Auto-Cargo® is our largest aviation vehicle to date and is set to transform airside logistics by autonomously carrying a total payload of 16,500kg. The vehicle is fully electric and zero-emission, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel-powered models.
“This latest funding allows us to accelerate deployment at East Midlands Airport and integrate our Auto-Shuttle® for short-distance passenger and staff transport. The focus is on proving a multi-fleet approach while gathering valuable real-world insights to shape our solutions as we scale.”
Ramp Ready forms part of a wider portfolio of four Aurrigo International projects collectively awarded £1 million in funding to accelerate sustainable airport and transport innovations. Grants from the CAM Pathfinder – Enhancements programme, alongside Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme, will enable the company to conduct simulation studies, feasibility assessments, and real-world vehicle trials across the UK, including the Orkney Islands and the West Midlands.
These initiatives will be delivered in partnership with major industry players, including International Airlines Group (IAG), Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), and Urban Foresight.
David Keene added:
“These awards underline our commitment to developing the next generation of intelligent, sustainable, and scalable transport systems, applicable to both urban and airside operations. From immersive VR airside training to autonomous vehicle deployments and rural mobility innovation, we are proud to collaborate with exceptional partners across the UK to drive transformative change in aviation and ground transport.”
Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic, praised the initiative:
“We are delighted by the projects selected through the CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies and Enhancements funding competitions. Aurrigo exemplifies the calibre of company leading the UK CAM sector. The deployment of connected and automated mobility solutions has enormous potential to enhance commercial and public transport while delivering significant economic benefits to the UK.”
The Pathfinder programme is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), a joint unit of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Transport (DfT), and is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.
