Transparency data

Freight Innovation Fund second round winning projects

Updated 10 October 2024

Inteliports Limited

Trial partner: Vodafone

Inteliports develops intelligent drones and drone ports for fast and automated aerial deliveries. They aim to create intermodal hubs that offer secure landing for drones, automated fleet handling, and parcel management for loading, unloading, retrieval, and storage.

Their FIF solution trials drone delivery services to the Isle of Wight, using micro-mobility to facilitate ‘to-door’ service. Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker confirms each transaction between modes, and Fawley Waterside acts as the main distribution point. The Inteliport Go receives parcels and interacts with micro-mobility to deliver them to the intended destinations.

GoRolloe

Trial partner: Maxion Wheels

A Transport Research Innovation Grant (TRIG) alumni, GoRolloe, uses a unique technology that harnesses a vehicle’s motion and natural airflow to purify polluted air without complex instrumentation. Their FIF solution is designed to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from HGVs and buses. The device sits within the wheel’s inner rim. It uses the kinetic energy of passing airflow to channel polluted air into filters, capturing PM emissions while the vehicle is in motion; this ensures continuous air purification, regardless of whether the vehicle is braking or cruising.

The device can capture PM from various sources, such as brake wear and emissions from other vehicles, making it an effective solution for reducing air pollution. Initial tests will be conducted on an HGV at a private testing track (Horiba Mira) to test parameters within a controlled environment. Subsequent tests will be conducted on public roads, replicating the device’s proper operational environment, including airflow patterns and concentrated pollution levels.

Ensemble Analytics

Trial partners: Bristol Port Company (BPC), Associated British Ports (ABP)

A TRIG Alumni, Ensemble Analytics, is a company that provides strategic workforce management tools for ports and has developed a software called Athena. This employee management software is tailored for ports and features a skills management module that integrates with AI-powered scheduling software.

As part of the FIF trial programme, Athena will help address the challenge of supporting peaks and troughs in depot demand by optimising available skills and workers to meet the demand. The trial will test auto-scheduling, task optimisation, and the new skills management module.

Hubl Logistics Ltd

Trial partners: Welch’s Transport Ltd, Pilgrim Foodservice Ltd, Cenex

Hubl Logistics Ltd is a technology development company specialising in sustainable temperature-controlled transportation. They have developed the CoolRun Pod system, which is now ready for market and user testing after an extensive UKRI-supported research and development program. Hubl has designed the CoolRun Pod system to address inefficiencies and high emissions within cold chain networks, focusing on last-mile delivery for food service or home delivery.

The FIF trial aims to test the efficiency of CoolRun Pods in reducing operational costs and emissions in temperature-controlled logistics while maintaining the quality of perishable goods. As part of the trial, Hubl aims to validate the pods’ ability to integrate seamlessly into existing pallet networks, where ambient trucks can transport temperature-sensitive goods.

Sorair Technologies Ltd

Trial partner: DP World UK

Sorair Technologies has developed an advanced security management platform called Soranet, which utilises AI technology to help security companies reduce labour costs and improve their operations. Soranet tracks real-time on-site activities through surveillance cameras, sensors, and autonomous vehicles. By implementing autonomous vehicles and computer vision software, Soranet can detect health and safety risks, intrusions, and threats immediately without requiring a sizeable physical security team.

To assess Soranet’s overall performance, Sorair will test the technologies during the FIF trial. During the trial, Sorair will evaluate the accuracy of its security-related computer vision algorithms in different weather conditions. Additionally, Sorair will examine the speed and responsiveness of Soranet’s automatic drone deployment features following alerts from Soranet’s computer vision algorithms and motion sensors.

Flexible Power Systems

Trial partners: Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF) consortium, Wincanton

Flexible Power Systems has created an innovative real-time EV and charger management platform called FPS Operate that efficiently manages electric vehicles and chargers. This platform combines real-time delivery scheduling and routing with vehicle and charging availability.

As part of the FIF trial, Flexible Power Systems will apply their FPS Operate platform, which has already been successfully deployed in light commercial vehicles, to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) for the first time. The platform will optimise delivery schedules and vehicle and charger utilisation in real time.

Meteor Power Ltd

Trial partner: Maritime Transport

Meteor Power Limited improves rail freight locomotives through cutting-edge technology. They will trial a rapid charging approach in the FIF programme that can recharge the rail freight locomotive battery to 33% capacity in 12 minutes, 64% capacity in 28 minutes, and 80% capacity in 38 minutes. Meteor will optimise the timing of short top-up charges to reduce energy use. They aim to demonstrate quieter, smoother operations and increased tractive effort. The trial will test the locomotive in real-world environments, measuring its performance in hauling heavier and more varied loads. Drivers will receive full training.

AI Automation Ltd

Trial partner: Wincanton

AI automation solution is a collaborative palletising and depalletising system that utilises 3D camera inspection and AI to enable quick and effective problem-solving. It involves using collaborative cobots (a robot designed to work alongside humans) and a lift kit to eliminate downtime and boost efficiency.

The FIF trial will test the system in a sustained production environment with consistent product delivery and real-world environmental challenges. AI automation’s primary focus will be maximising the system’s speed and reducing downtime.

Zugbox Ltd

Trial partner: Russell Group Logistics

Zugbox Ltd has created lightweight containers that can be loaded in batches onto HGVs at warehouses and transported to micro container ports for delivery. The company will analyse vehicles’ complete lifecycles and emissions and their operations and asset utilisation as part of the FIF trial programme; this will generate valuable datasets on the economic and environmental benefits of using Zugboxes while building trust with Russell Group and other customers.

IONA Logistics Ltd

Trial partner: Eagle Couriers

IONA is a logistics company that wants to transform how goods are delivered in rural areas by addressing the inefficiencies of traditional delivery methods. To achieve this, they use a hyper-efficient robotic network that enables them to offer low-cost deliveries in rural areas. Recently, IONA introduced an innovative drone solution that is 4 times more energy-efficient, provides an extended range, has a larger cargo capacity, and significantly reduces costs and emissions.

The FIF trial involves collaborating with Eagle Couriers, and IONA’s drone will transport the payload in an open environment. During this trial, IONA aims to refine the drone’s flight capabilities and control systems, enhancing hardware-software integration, weather resilience, and delivery accuracy. The trial’s primary objective is to achieve safe and accurate deliveries, optimize routes, and enhance system control to improve overall system efficiency and reliability.