The Automotive Council’s technical advisory group has identified five so-called "sticky technologies" in which government should invest.
They include advanced internal combustion engines, lightweight structures, energy storage developments, power management and intelligent transport systems.
Full story: bright future for UK R&D
Why sticky? “They are advanced skills which aren’t very transportable, so clients will keep coming to the UK to achieve the results they need,” says Nissan technology boss Jerry Hardcastle, the leader of the advisory group.
Lotus, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Ricardo and others are among Europe’s leaders advanced internal combustion engines, while the UK's F1 and aerospace know-how means it has capabilities in lightweight structures and energy storage developments such as batteries, flywheels, chemical systems, and race-bred KERS.
Intelligent transport systems includes areas such as interactive navigation and intelligent motorway convoy systems. MIRA test track in Leicestershire has just installed a track to test such systems.
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Re: 'Government - invest in these'
Whilst the pot holes need repairing in more than 25 years of driving I have never damaged a car by driving through a pot hole. Th eonly time I have damaged one is striking a large kerb at speed. Overseas I have driven on dirt roads and rough tracks in normal cars and tryres and suffred no more than the occasional puncture.
My conclusion is most claims for cars damaged by driving through potholes are entirely spurious. Hence a crack down on these claims would leave more money for highways maintenance purposes.
Given that many British inventions have been developed by foreign companies I see little point in backing these new concepts unless funding through to production is available to ensure the investment is recouped by the taxpayer.
Re: 'Government - invest in these'
Re: 'Government - invest in these'
OldToad;
Why not have those in prison doing the job,like they do
in the States.?
If those in prison had to do some hard work perhaps they
would not be so keen to go back in!.