COVENTRY, UK, Aug 26, 2025 – Aurrigo International has secured support from ‘The Connected and Automated Mobility’ (CAM) pathfinder enhancements program and Innovate UK’s program to start work on four new projects. The pathfinder program 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), in partnership with Innovate UK and Zenzic.
Aurrigo will begin the program that includes simulation, feasibility studies, and vehicle trials at East Midlands Airport, in the Orkney Islands, and in the West Midlands. The work is in partnership with International Airlines Group (IAG), Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRAINS), and Urban Foresight.
David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, commented: “These awards reflect our commitment to building the next generation of intelligent, sustainable, and scalable transport systems that operate in both urban and airside operations.”
“From immersive VR for airside training to real-world AV deployments and rural mobility innovation, we’re proud to be working with exceptional partners across the UK to bring transformative change to both aviation and ground transport.”
He continued: “This funding helps us to accelerate and, importantly, prove technologies in the real world, speeding up adoption and ensuring the UK continues to lead the world when it comes to autonomous vehicle deployment.”
Mark Cracknell, program director at Zenzic, said: “We are delighted with the exciting projects selected through the CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies and Enhancements funding competitions.”
“Aurrigo is a fantastic example of the caliber of company leading the way for the UK CAM sector and we’re very excited to share the news of their project successes.”
“The deployment of Connected and Automated Mobility solutions has incredible potential to improve commercial and public transport, while potentially providing a huge boost to the UK economy.”
He went on to add: “These four projects will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the commercial readiness of the technology while also providing valuable insight into future opportunities and use.”
The four projects are:
Ramp Ready: The Future of Airport Logistics
Competition: CCAV – CAM Pathfinders Enhancements
Duration: 9 months
Project Cost: £695,145
The project will build on the ongoing “Autonomous Cargo” program by deploying two Auto-Cargo units and one Auto-Shuttle Mk2 e-Transit vehicle at East Midlands Airport. It will introduce environmental testing, simulation tools, and modular, low-volume manufacturing to reduce costs. The goal is to advance the commercial readiness of both cargo and passenger vehicles and collecting data to guide future development.
Runway to Autonomy: Removing No User in Charge Obstacles for Autonomous Baggage Handling Vehicles
Competition: CCAV – CAM Pathfinder 1 – Feasibility Studies
Duration: 9 months
Project Cost: £99,425
This project explores how to safely deploy baggage-handling vehicles without any human onboard – paving the way for “No User in Charge” (NUIC) operations. In collaboration with IAG, the project will define the safety, regulatory, cybersecurity and operational standards required to enable driverless deployment at airports. The recommendations will be related to system failure protocols, certification pathways, cybersecurity standards, and human-machine interaction models, providing airport operators with the confidence to adopt autonomous baggage handling vehicles.
Kirkwall AutoLink Outline Business Case (OBC)
Competition: CCAV – CAM Pathfinder 1 – Feasibility Studies
Duration: 9 months
Partner Costs: £133,812.
The Kirkwall AutoLink project is examining whether a connected, autonomous, zero-emission shuttle could operate between Kirkwall Harbor and Kirkwall Airport in Orkney. Led by Urban Foresight with support from HITRANS and Aurrigo, the study will evaluate technical feasibility, regulatory considerations, business models, and how the community views a NUIC shuttle service. More than 90% of airport passengers rely on private cars, so the project is also looking at how a shuttle could support decarbonization and transport goals. Findings will be detailed in an Outline Business Case (OBC) to guide decisions on a future demonstration deployment.
Visualizing Airside Baggage Operation (VABO)
Competition: Launchpad: Immersive & Creative Industries, Coventry & Warwickshire Round 2
Duration: 12 months
Project Cost: £98,642
VABO project integrates Virtual Reality (VR) into Aurrigo’s Auto-Sim platform to simulate baggage-handling operations in 3D airport environments with weather, lighting, aircraft, and ground support equipment. Developed using the unity game engine, the system maps real-time workflows, identifies efficiency gaps, and supports operational planning. The VR layer adds real-time interaction, data visualization, and instant performance feedback, enabling staff training and guiding the adoption of electric and autonomous ground support systems worldwide.
Source: Aurrigo
About Aurrigo International
Aurrigo International plc, headquartered in Coventry, UK, is a technology-driven company specializing in autonomous and automated solutions for the aviation and automotive industries. Established as part of the RDM Group, it has been in business for over 30 years, developing airside ground handling systems, baggage transportation and autonomous vehicle solutions. Aurrigo serves major airports, airlines, logistics providers, and automotive manufacturers, focusing on efficiency and sustainability through automation. Aurrigo has expanded globally, working with clients across North America, Europe, and Asia. As of recent financial reports, its annual revenue exceeds £10 million, with continuous growth driven by increased demand for innovative mobility solutions.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, the United Kingdom’s national innovation agency, was founded in 2007 and is headquartered at Polaris House in Swindon. The agency provides grants, innovation loans, business growth services, and support through nine Catapult innovation centers to help companies develop and commercialize new technologies. It serves a range of industries, including manufacturing, energy, health, digital, and renewables, focusing on business-led R&D as well as public-private collaboration. In the 2023–24 fiscal year, Innovate UK supported about 50,000 innovators across 5,000 projects, with a total investment of about £2.3B.
About Zenzic
Zenzic, founded in 2017, supports the United Kingdom’s connected and automated mobility sector by linking industry, government, and academia to accelerate the adoption of self-driving technologies. The organization provides strategic insights, innovation funding, and collaboration opportunities through programs such as Mobilize and CAM Scale-Up. It also offers access to test-bed facilities and publishes the UK CAM Roadmap to guide technology development and deployment. Companies House records show Zenzic-UK Ltd reported about £248,000 in turnover for the year ending March 2024. The organization serves industries including transportation, technology, and infrastructure and is headquartered at London.