Advanced 5G network deployment has begun at Millbrook Proving Ground, in the UK. This is part of the AutoAir project lead by Airspan Networks and Millbrook says it signals the future of testing and validation of Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technologies.
Over the coming months AutoAir will deliver pervasive 4G and 5G connectivity at Millbrook Proving Ground though a dense network of base stations around the test tracks. This will provide Gbps real-time connectivity, and enable accurate location and connectivity trials on site for the first time.
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Margot James, UK Minister for Digital & Creative Industries said: "I am thrilled to see such good progress being made on the AutoAir 5G testbed. This fantastic project highlights the opportunities that 5G connectivity on our roads offers – including the potential to support connected and autonomous vehicles. We want the UK to be a world leader in 5G and our Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, published yesterday, sets out how we will deliver this."
Peter Stoker, Chief Engineer – Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, at Millbrook, said: "The start of this network deployment sends a fantastic message to developers and innovators in the transport and automotive industries. The technology that will enable them to accelerate their programmes is being made available, now. We are proud to be at the forefront of these developments; 5G, together with our advanced capabilities as part of the CAV testbed, will make a real difference in expediting thorough and, above all, safe testing and validation."
Paul Senior, Chief Strategy Officer, Airspan Networks and CEO of Dense Air said: "The design phase of the AutoAir project has been completed and we now turn our attention to physical deployment and implementation of testbeds at Millbrook and the University of Surrey. Breaking ground today at Millbrook was very exciting, and we can't wait to test the Hyper-Dense 5G network we are building with connected and autonomous vehicles".
Millbrook says it provides a safe and secure environment for controlled to semi-controlled testing of ADAS and autonomous experiments and a natural, real-world, extension to its customers' software engineering processes. A digital model of its proving ground is also being made available to vehicle manufacturers and CAV developers to take full advantage of its facilities.
AutoAir
AutoAir is a year-long project part-funded by the UK government. It brings together a large number of industry's leading 5G players and the pioneering research at Surrey University's 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC). Lead by Airspan Networks, the project consortium includes: 5GIC at Surrey University, Dense Air Limited, McLaren Applied Technologies, Blu Wireless Technology Limited, Quortus Limited, Millbrook, Real Wireless, ARM, Cobham Wireless, and Celestia Technologies.
About Millbrook
Millbrook provides vehicle test and validation services and systems to customers in the automotive, transport, tyre, petrochemical and defence industries. It is independent and impartial in everything it does.
It has a range of test facilities for components and full vehicles. These include varied indoor and outdoor test tracks in the UK and Northern Finland, engine dynamometers, environmental chambers, e-motor and e-axle test cells, structural test laboratories, crash laboratories, interior systems laboratories, battery test facilities and advanced emissions chassis dynamometers.
Millbrook designs, builds, installs, and services dynamometer test systems and an associated data acquisition and control system.
Millbrook's employees are passionate about safety, customer service and technical excellence, making them ideal partners at any stage in the development and launch of the vehicles of tomorrow.
Millbrook is part of the Test and Measurement business segment of Spectris plc.
