AirPOD set to take to the skies in Shropshire project
A flying delivery system combining driverless technology with a drone is being developed by experts in Shropshire.
Westfield Autonomous Vehicles, part of Westfield Technology Group, is working with Harper Adams University, near Newport, on the AirPOD project.
The project, which also involves Cranfield University in Bedford, could eventually be adapted to carry passengers to help reduce congestion on the roads.
AirPOD is being funded by Innovate UK and the Niche Vehicle Network and will utilise technology from the automotive industry and the aviation industry.
Westfield, which also includes Westfield Sportscars, is already developing self-driving Westfield PODs for the road at its base in Kingswinford, near Dudley. It says AirPOD would be a more efficient, environmentally friendly and convenient ‘multi-application’ platform.
Westfield believes it could be utilised in emergency care enabling medical goods to be transferred rapidly between hospitals and in providing medical support and aid in rural locations such as the Lake District.
The drone will initially be deployed and charged from the roof of Westfield’s POD.
Revolutionise
A programme of trials are now planned which will take in Warwick Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham, Christies Hospital Manchester and the Lake District.
Westfield chief executive Julian Turner said: “The AirPOD could revolutionise rural areas in terms of emergency care.”
Westfield Autonomous Vehicles’ PODs have already transported more than 3.6 million passengers over 3.4 million miles.
Harper Adams University is currently working on harvesting a hectare of cereal crops using autonomous drones, crop sprayers and tractors.
Westfield, which was founded in 1983, produces kit sports cars and also completed vehicles. It has sold more than 13,000 worldwide. Earlier this year it won an innovation award for its research into self-driving vehicles.
