A competition set to benefit drivers through new connected and autonomous vehicle technologies has opened.

Businesses could win a share of up to £35m to research and develop new connected and autonomous vehicle technologies

Run by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK, the competition offers businesses developing such technologies the chance to win a share of up to £35m.

Winners must provide real-world benefits to users including showing how these vehicles will work as part of a wider transport system, and must effectively help to develop solutions that are ready for commercial launch.

In response, Stan Boland, CEO of UK-based autonomous vehicle software company FiveAI, said: “At FiveAI, we welcome this competition as an important milestone in the advancement of autonomous vehicles in the UK, as the Government shows its commitment to supporting UK companies in setting out their stall to make the country a globally-recognised centre for autonomous vehicle technology.”