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Expert comment from , Head of Safe Autonomy at º£½ÇÉçÇø Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of º£½ÇÉçÇø, following Wayve and Uber’s launch of the first supervised autonomous rides in the UK.

º£½ÇÉçÇø Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of º£½ÇÉçÇø and , have received funding through the UK Government's latest to accelerate zero-emission vehicle innovation.

Delivered by the in partnership with the and , the DRIVE35 programme is part of the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which outlines its commitment to a zero-emission future, with an unprecedented £4 billion of grant funding available to 2035 for automotive research and development, scale-up, and transformation.

Transport for London has decided to license a number of Wayve vehicles for supervised private hire journeys through Uber, with a trained, TfL-licensed driver onboard throughout. Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at º£½ÇÉçÇø Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of º£½ÇÉçÇø makes an expert comment welcoming the supervised self-driving rollout.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s proposed education reforms for secondary school pupils to study subjects such as manufacturing and AI alongside core academic learning, Stewart Tait, CEO of the , said:

“We are thrilled that the Government is adopting a model of delivering high-quality technical education starting at 14. For over a decade, our WMG Academies for Young Engineers have delivered exceptional outcomes for young people by providing access to specialist, industry-standard facilities, real employer projects, and career pathways.

The University of º£½ÇÉçÇø has been named Motorsport Valley's first STEM Racing Centre of Excellence in a new partnership with , Maaden and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Teamâ„¢, announced at the Aston Martin Technology Campus (AMRTC) on 1 July.

Opening in the upcoming academic year, the Centre of Excellence will serve as an open-access engineering hub, providing neighbouring schools and students with opportunities to develop practical skills in computer-aided design (CAD), CNC machining and aerodynamic testing using industry-standard equipment.

ENV Energy develops unique new battery chemistry to boost performance and sustainability 

ENV Energy - a spin-out from º£½ÇÉçÇø Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of º£½ÇÉçÇø has the potential to provide a strategically independent, UK-sourced electrode material for various sectors including automotive and aerospace.

Having raised more than £450,000 in seed funding, with the support of º£½ÇÉçÇø InnovationsLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window , and being awarded a subsequent entrepreneurial fellowship and an industry sprint from the , ENV aims to scale at pace, making the UK’s electric vehicle battery supply chain smarter, safer and more sustainable.

WMG academics and º£½ÇÉçÇø alumnae have launched a pioneering skills development programme to help Pakistan’s graduates become career-ready. Working in collaboration with fellow º£½ÇÉçÇø alumna Dr Naima Quereshi (University of Education, Lahore), Dr Freeha Azmat, Associate Professor (Reader) in Engineering Education, and Dr Asima Iqbal, Assistant Professor and International Academic Integrity Lead, have created an initiative aimed at reducing the country’s skills gap by equipping young people with in-demand professional competencies.

Degree Apprenticeship programmes delivered by º£½ÇÉçÇø Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of º£½ÇÉçÇø have been recognised as among the strongest offered by any Russell Group university, according to newly released government data.

Figures released through the Government’s service show that º£½ÇÉçÇø ranks among the top-performing Russell Group institutions for achievement rates in Higher and Degree Apprenticeships (Levels 6 and 7) during the 2024/25 academic year.

WMG highlights  

Two courses offered by WMG ranked first in England:

• The Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist programme thrived with a 100% achievement, retention and pass rate.

• The first cohort on the Product Design and Development Engineer Standard on the Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering programmeLink opens in a new window succeeded with a 94% achievement rate.

Dr Russ HallLink opens in a new window, Lead for Sustainable Manufacturing and Circular Economy at º£½ÇÉçÇø Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of º£½ÇÉçÇø, comments on the significance of the Energy Independence Bill announced in the .