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London’s Improbable gets share of £100m driverless car fund

London-based software company Improbable has been announced as one of the recipients of a new government fund that aims to support research and development into driverless car technology.

The firm, which specialises in creating simulated worlds to help solve real-world problems, will share £5.2m from the government’s £100m Intelligent Mobility Fund, along with Oxford-based Immense Simulations Ltd, to support collaborative research and development into connected and autonomous vehicle fleets.

It comes as seven other projects were given a slice of the initial £20m in funding which has received financial backing from industry in addition to government funding. Leading automotive businesses, engineering firms, IT specialists, universities and local authorities have also contributed to the fund.

Following this first round of funding awards, Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “Our cars of the future will be equipped with the technologies that will make getting from A to B safer, faster, and cleaner.

“They will alert drivers of accidents ahead and be able to receive information from their surroundings about hazards, increasing the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

“Britain is a world-leader in research and development in such innovative technologies which improve lives and create opportunity for all. That is why this government has protected the £6 billion science budget and is providing up to £20 million for these projects.”

Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, believes the fund to be a ‘landmark moment’ and commented: “These projects will help profoundly change the way we travel within years, transforming our roads by making travel a simpler experience for drivers, reducing accidents and helping traffic flow more smoothly.

“They will also bring great benefits to our society and the wider economy by opening up new routes for global investment.

“This is a landmark moment and will allow Britain to lead the way in the testing of connected and autonomous vehicles.”

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