Milton Keynes Council has secured more than £4m of new funding including £2.3m from Government to create and test mobility services using 5G technology.
The initiative will be run at Stadium MK, the home of MK Dons, and builds on a £10m investment already made by SEMLEP, industry and academic partners.
The funding will be used to create driverless shuttles and road vehicles for moving people and goods across the stadium site, autonomous surveillance vehicles and drones for enhancing security, and testing out robots and drones for goods delivery and hospitality use.
Council Leader Pete Marland said: “This is another important step in Milton Keynes’ journey as a modern, sustainable and forward-looking city for the future. Smart city projects like ours can do a lot to inspire and empower other major venues around the world to create better, greener experiences for visitors and staff, and boost their efficiency. Yet again Milton Keynes will be leading the way.”
John Cove, Director, MK Dons said: “We are delighted that the MK5G Create project has been selected to receive support from DCMS. We have been able to bring together a world class team to integrate and exploit 5G capability in a dynamic real world environment - this will truly demonstrate how Stadium MK home of MK Dons, working with MK council and our partners can use new technology to support a major international sporting and cultural venue.
We have been able to bring together a world class team to integrate and exploit 5G capability in a dynamic real world environment - this will truly demonstrate how Stadium MK working with MK Council and our partners can use new technology to support a major international sporting and cultural venue.”
Matt Warman, Digital Infrastructure Minister said: “I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Milton Keynes Council and MK Dons to demonstrate the exciting future ahead for Britain's biggest stadium venues. Our 5G Create funding will test potential uses for 5G drones, driverless vehicles and robots to boost efficiency and create better experiences for visitors and I look forward to sharing the valuable insights gained from this trial with venues across the country.”
The project will start in February and run until March 2022.
Partners led by MKC include: BT, Appyway Parking, RDM, Imperium Drive, Metaswitch, MK Dons, Neutral Wireless, City Fibre, Smart City, Connected Places and Satellite Applications Catapults.
READ MORE: Driverless taxis and robots will take to Stadium MK as part of government-funded 5G trial
