Wyre Forest Cleantech accelerator BetaDen North has confirmed that industry leading autonomous vehicle provider Westfield Technology Group has joined its Bootcamp programme to develop and promote its green vehicle technology.
Globally known for niche sports cars, Westfield is now a pioneering name in the autonomous vehicle market having developed the UK’s first electric, fully self-driving vehicle known as the POD. This new technology is already saving 50,000 tons of carbon each year in its trial at London Heathrow Terminal 5 whilst eliminating over 20,000 bus journeys.
Westfield is the seventh cohort member and will pitch its innovations alongside Aceleron, Ecoforest UK, Hummingbird Designs, Grohanger, R-Net, and Voidfill in a special showcase event at Wyre Forest House on Thursday 23 June.
Luke Willetts, director of Operations at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re delighted to confirm that Westfield is taking part in BetaDen North Cleantech Bootcamp. As an established name in the automotive industry, they have a strong track record of innovation and have made great strides in their work around reducing the environmental impact of ‘first mile last mile’ transportation.”
Ostap Paparega, head of North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration, added: “All seven cohort members taking part in BetaDen North Cleantech Bootcamp are developing game-changing technologies that will help drive their respective industries towards a Net Zero future. We’re excited by the potential these varied technologies offer and proud to be able to support their development right here in Wyre Forest.”
With an aim to accelerate the production of new technologies that can reduce greenhouse gases and tackle the climate crisis, BetaDen North’s Cleantech Bootcamp and Workshops are bringing together industry leaders to share their knowledge, expertise and insight into developing innovation. The programme also offers each cohort member £25,000 worth of support to commercialise their ideas.
The Bootcamp is a unique business-support programme, supported by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund and delivered by Wyre Forest District Council, bringing leading lights from the world of Cleantech to the district. The aim is to develop a nationally significant Cleantech Centre of Excellence in the region, positioning the district as a UK leader for developing the technologies society needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the climate crisis.
Cabinet Member for the Economy Marc Bayliss from Worcestershire County Council said: “From reducing waste in fashion shops to developing road surfaces that turn movement into emission-free electricity, our bootcamp members are all at the forefront of pioneering technology that could accelerate our net zero future. As a local council this is something that we are excited to be involved in and hugely proud of.”
About the BetaDen North Cleantech Cohort
Westfield Technology Group is home The Westfield POD – the UK’s first truly autonomous vehicle for first mile – last mile transportation. Developed in conjunction with Heathrow Airport, it utilises the base technology platform from the work completed by ULTra PRT (Personal Rapid Transport). The company is developing its Pod on Demand (POD) service at BetaDen North. (https://www.westfieldsavs.com)
Hummingbird Design is developing a Kinetic Road/surface system that transforms the potential energy in a moving object, via a surface, into electrical energy. This is not reliant on a natural energy source so produces and uninterrupted power supply.
