Innovation and industry engagement

Performing applied research and supporting technology transfer is core to the mission of the CfAA.

Our innovation approach

Building upon our research priorities, we collaborate with our industrial and regulatory partners across the whole innovation lifecycle. For example, through directly contracted research focusing on the validation of basic research concepts within an industrial setting. We are fortunate to have the excellent facilities within the Institute for Safe Autonomy to support our work with commercial and other research partners. Through our practice-driven collaborations with industrial partners and regulators, we continually develop our understanding of the requirements on safe AI, autonomous systems and robotics. In turn, we support industry and regulators in their development and adoption of AI and autonomous technologies. Our innovation activities include:

Applying assurance frameworks to commercial systems.
Supporting the development of standards and regulations.
Developing bespoke training and CPD activities to industry
Developing Knowledge Exchange Partnerships

Our industrial and regulatory engagement and impact activities include:

Applying safety assurance frameworks to commercial systems
Shaping industrial and regulatory practices by directly engaging in the development of standards
Developing continual professional development programmes tailored to the needs of specific sectors
Supporting knowledge transfer through collaborative research, knowledge transfer partnerships and continuous professional development

Our innovation focus

Our innovation activities span a wide spectrum of domains and we welcome interest from organisations in a variety of sectors. Three of our more significant areas of focus are:

Maritime
Health and social care
Transport (Automotive, Aviation, Rail)
Energy

Become a CfAA innovation partner

A large container ship on an ocean with overlaid graphics illustrating autonomous operation of the ship

Working with us

There are many ways to engage with our innovation activities. For example:

Consultancy
Partnerships
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Training and workshops

Talk to us about an innovation project

Groups of people seated at tables working on tasks, situated in a large lab.

Innovation Projects

We have extensive experience collaborating with a wide range of partners to support the innovation and adoption of AI and autonomous systems, including:

SMEs, start-ups and local companies
Large, multi-national organisations
Charitable trusts and foundations
National and international standardisation organisations
Governmental departments and regulatory authorities

Talk to us about the safe adoption of autonomous systems and AI

A group of people of mixed genders stand in a curved line behind a small autonomous vehicle and a large drone.