Our project tackles a key barrier to expanding the UK's net zero gas and power networks: how to engage the public inclusively, effectively, at scale, reducing opposition and construction delays. Traditional methods are too slow and resource-intensive. In this phase, we will identify consumer needs and explore novel AI-driven engagement solutions, such as multilingual chatbots, gamified education, and sentiment analysis. Based on these insights, we will define a roadmap for adopting or developing AI solutions, in case unavailable off-the-shelf, tailored to strategic, large-scale engagement. In partnership with communities we aim to build trust, transparency, and public support for future infrastructure.

Navigation using space-based satellite signals underlies many critical technologies across the UK. Most advanced navigation technologies rely on the signals from networks known as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to remain accurate over long distances. Loss of these signals result in an unstable navigation systems and increasingly less accurate location and direction estimation during operation. GNSS signals may be lost accidentally from criminal activity or due to military action. For example, in 2018 several passenger flights off the Norwegian coast lost GNSS signals due to signal 'jamming' from military exercises. In addition, 'Spoofing' or deliberately transmitting false guidance signals has been demonstrated as an insidious cyberweapon that can deliberately mislead and fool cargo or passenger vessels. As systems are increasingly automated, the consequences of the loss of GNSS signals dramatically increase and may include loss of property, or in the extreme case, loss of life. Local on-board instruments can provide measurements to stabilise current navigation system technology without GNSS signals. Quantum technology-based sensors have the potential to provide stability to navigation systems over long periods of time due to the unique combination of high sensitivity to motion with superb isolation from changes in the surrounding environment. High-BIAS2 will demonstrate the ability of a quantum rotation sensor's ability to stabilise the orientation of aircraft guidance system in the absence of GNSS signals. Local stabilisation using quantum technology will decrease the reliance of navigation systems on GNSS and provides a measure of protection against signal loss, jamming, and spoofing to increase safety and security.

Our work focuses on the development of a compact, integrated, high bandwidth source of cold atoms. This will provide a key subsystem for many quantum technologies and will be initially targeted for inertial sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and full inertial measurement units (IMUs) based on atom interferometry. In order to transition these systems out of the laboratory and into commercial applications this work will address the present challenges of size, weight, and power (SWaP) and measurement rate. Through innovative engineering coupling a compact ultra-high vacuum system to a compact lasers source, we will produce a low SWaP system suitable for aerospace use. In addition, by using sequential cold matter generation and progressive cooling to maximize the flux of cold atoms, the system will maximize potential sensor bandwidth. This system will demonstrate conclusively that the SWaP and bandwidth are not fundamental limitations to cold atom inertial sensing for aerospace applications. The project will generates technology for the end user and enables a market for component makes, subsystem suppliers, and system integrators providing both market pull and technology push.

Customer experience is enhanced it two ways, either improving services or resolving problems well. Either case cannot be achieved without engaging customers in innovation. However, for each customer-facing organisation (CFO) the cost and risks of building the necessary IT innovation infrastructure, individually, are considerable barriers. Worse still, such fragmentation is confusing for customers. The project will address these challenges by developing a single UK-wide innovation infrastructure seamlessly connecting customers to any CFO and their supply chain. The project will pilot the infrastructure on a range of CFO projects such as addressing the needs of the visually impaired passenger, better “wayfinding” at stations/platforms, reduction of disruption due to suicide attempts, innovative group ticketing e.g. families, school outings. They also want to develop customer experience enablers and digital assets including social media analysis, journey mapping, digital customer panels, extracting more insights from passenger surveys all of which will allow the industry to achieve a step- change in its ability to improve customer experience through innovation.

Project 228135 develops a portable phototherapy device for the mobile treatment of skin conditions.