A transformation project aiming to make the South West a global hub for digital technology and the green economy has taken a major step forward.
The Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation (DETI) programme aims to bring together technological innovators from academia and industry to test new products and ways of working.
Businesses involved in the South West's “fully functioning digital test-ground” include Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Rolls Royce and Siemens.
Its backers have now revealed that work already carried out under the programme includes research into tools that will power the next generation of electric vehicles, work on quantum-secure 5G connectivity to operate remote factories; and digitally-led product development that is five times faster than traditional methods.
And they say the work done so far shows new ways that British industry can compete and become globally competitive.
Dan Norris, West of England Metro Mayor, said: “There is a climate and biodiversity emergency that requires leadership and action - deeds not words. Thankfully, we in the West of England are getting on with the job of fighting the climate crisis head on.
“The Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation programme – supported by £5m in funding from my West of England Mayoral Authority – is helping harness the innovation and abundance of talent we know we have in our West of England region to tackle this and other urgent challenges. It’s building the technologies and digital skills we need to reach our net-zero targets locally, while demonstrating to the world that the West of England is the go-to place for digital and technological innovation and engineering knowhow.
“In turn, through the Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation programme, we are creating more high-quality jobs for all residents while inspiring our young people to pursue careers in the green economy - helping create the innovators of the future. In short – it’s an absolutely vital programme, and I’m proud to back it.”
The DETI consortium is funded through a £5m investment from the West of England Combined Authority, with co-investment from the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and industry. It’s delivered by the National Composites Centre, the Centre for Modelling & Simulation, Digital Catapult, the University of the West of England, the University of Bristol and the University of Bath.
Richard Oldfield, chief executive officer at the National Composites Centre, added: “The South West has a proven record of leading the development of next generation products.
“DETI’s success is founded in fostering successful collaborations between academia, industry and world class R&D innovators. By enabling highly innovative concepts to be tested and trialled, the ‘learning factory’ that DETI partners created de-risks implementation and demonstrates return on investment and increased agility.
“This puts the region at the leading edge of work to develop technologies and tools that will advance our net zero future and inspire future generations.”
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