Staffordshire Connected & Intelligent Mobility Innovation Accelerator

SCIMIA is a dedicated project led by Staffordshire University driving research and innovation through collaborative knowledge exchange between Staffordshire University and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP SMEs to develop innovative solutions for the intelligent mobility market.

Each SME partnership will receive up to 12 months of support from Staffordshire University to develop new to company and/or new to market product or service.

What is Intelligent Mobility and what opportunities are there for Staffordshire SMEs?

Defined as the smarter, greener and more efficient movement of people and goods around the world, Intelligent Mobility is a sector of the wider transport industry which is predicted to be worth around £900 billion a year by 2025 (Transport Systems Catapult).

New and innovative solutions have a potential to:

• improve the transit of people and goods
• transform the infrastructure of cities to increase efficiency and safety, maximise resources, boost sustainability and create resilience
• streamline operations
• integrate technology, optimise infrastructure
• analyse transport data patterns
• innovate the planning process 
• improve end-user journeys

Intelligent mobility is an exciting market where opportunities are identified as the interconnections made through a range of industries and technologies including:

• Vehicle manufacturing
• Electronic sensors and controls
• ICT/ digital and data
• Logistics and distribution
• Infrastructure management

Innovation areas

• Data Collection & Communication Platforms
• Data Management & Analysis, M-commerce
• Connected Vehicle Products
• Monitoring & Management Systems for Road Infrastructure
• IoT Asset Management (Road)
• Monitoring, Modelling & Visualisation for Software Design
• Security, Resilience, Safety & Cyber Security, Traffi c Control Systems
• Digital Logistics
• Passenger Information Systems
• Intermodal Smart Ticketing
• Transport Asset Tracking
• Autonomous Vehicles
• Consulting & System Integration Services for Digital Logistics

What is included? 

The project will deliver up to 12 months of support to 45 eligible SMEs, each partnership will receive:

• One student/ graduate Innovation Consultant for up to 12 months to support development of new product or a service
• Dedicated academic lead and supervisor
• Access to Innovation Enterprise Zone innovation facilities
• Support from dedicated technician

Who can apply? 

This programme is open to all Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership SMEs who operate primarily on a B2B basis.

The tailored support provides a fully funded route towards innovative transformation for businesses who may not currently have the resources or knowledge to develop innovative products or services.

Eligible businesses must have the ability to support and host a student placement or graduate intern and be identified as eligible under the project’s approved state aid schemes.