Latest news with #RegulatoryInnovationOffice
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Britain's first-ever flying taxi takes to the skies – and you could be using one very soon
The prototype VX4 electric aircraft is the first of its kind to complete a cross-country trip from the Cotswolds in normal airspace outside of test conditions in European aviation history. Developed by Bristol-based start-up Vertical Aerospace, the vehicle is capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers, and can reach speeds of up to 150 mph across a distance of 100 miles. Last month, the government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. Chief test pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done. There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly. 'The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly, and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.' Industry experts believe the flying taxis could improve connectivity across the UK, with a journey from Brighton to Heathrow estimated to be just 20 minutes. In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph. Labour MP Alice Macdonald raised a scheme by Norwich Airport that aims to 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation' and invited the transport minister to 'take a flight on an electric plane'. Transport minister Mike Kane stressed to MPs earlier this month the government's commitment to "maximise the benefits of future flight technologies, including flying taxis'.
The Guardian
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Drones could deliver NHS supplies under UK regulation changes
Drones could be used for NHS-related missions in remote areas, inspecting offshore wind turbines and supplying oil rigs by 2026 as part of a new regulatory regime in the UK. David Willetts, the head of a new government unit helping to deploy new technologies in Britain, said there were obvious situations where drones could be used if the changes go ahead next year. Ministers announced plans this month to allow drones to fly long distances without their operators seeing them. Drones cannot be flown 'beyond visual line of sight' under current regulations, making their use for lengthy journeys impossible. In an interview with the Guardian, Lord Willetts, chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), said the changes could come as soon as 2026, but that they would apply in 'atypical' aviation environments at first, which would mean remote areas and over open water. Referring to the NHS, Willetts said there was potentially a huge market for drone operators. 'It's great for drone operators commercially, but it's also great for services like the NHS,' he said. Drones could be used to deliver drugs to GPs and patients in remote locations, and to take blood samples to hospitals for testing, he said. The Scottish Highlands and islands could be one area of the UK to benefit, as could farming as a sector, he added. Regulatory changes could enable the use of drones under the government's safer streets fund, which supports measures against neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour. 'You could imagine that, for the safer streets initiative, they might be used by the police in circumstances where they might be trying to ensure public safety,' he said. Willetts also indicated that the definition of an 'atypical' air environment could be broadened, which could enable greater use of drones over long distances. The definition could 'cover a lot of airspace', he said. For drones to operate in busier airspace, however, there would need to be progress on technology and standards that alert aircraft to their presence. Citing deliveries to oil rigs and the maintenance of offshore wind turbines as another example of potential use by 2026, Willetts said that 'strictly speaking' using a drone to check on a turbine involved a line-of-sight requirement. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion As part of last month's announcement, the government revealed it was giving £16.5m to the Civil Aviation Authority to deliver a regulatory framework that would allow beyond-line-of-sight drone use. Willetts said regulations had become disproportionate. The NHS already delivers urgent pathology items such as blood samples via drones as part of a trial in central London. It involves moving samples between Guy's hospital and a lab at St Thomas' hospital in partnership with the drone companies Apian – a UK startup co-founded by NHS doctors – and Wing, which is owned by Google's parent company Alphabet. A similar trial has also taken place in Northumberland. The UK technology secretary, Peter Kyle, said the regulatory changes would help the UK 'lead the world in new technologies'. 'These are exactly the kinds of barriers we're determined to break down through the Regulatory Innovation Office,' he said. 'Cutting red tape so drones can safely deliver supplies or inspect offshore wind turbines without costly workarounds like putting someone in a boat.'
Al Etihad
01-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UK unveils £20m funding to help launch drone and flying taxi services
1 Apr 2025 10:33 London (PA Media/dpa) More than £20 million ($25.8 million) of new funding will help make the use of commercial drones and even flying taxi services a reality, the British government has said. Ministers said the money will be used to help launch new flight technologies by boosting new technology and streamlining regulatory processes to allow for the commercialization of the this year, Amazon confirmed Darlington, Co Durham, as its proposed site for launching drone deliveries in the UK, although there is currently no timeframe for when that scheme could UK government said the wider rollout of drones could also see them used by the emergency services to help with deliveries of blood samples, as well as with search and rescue missions and the monitoring of critical minister Mike Kane said: "I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world. "That means creating a nimble regulatory environment and a culture of innovation, so everyone can benefit from cutting-edge transport while tackling emissions, traffic and potentially saving lives. "Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight Industry Group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen."The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape by helping to shape smarter regulation to ensure new technology reaches the public Secretary Peter Kyle said the UK was "leading the way in unlocking the potential of drones" but a "regulatory system that keeps pace" was needed in order for innovation to "thrive." As part of this process, the RIO will consult on the mandatory use of new "electronic conspicuity" standards and technologies, which enable aircraft to share their location electronically and help drones fly safely alongside crewed aircraft."The Regulatory Innovation Office is cutting red tape to ensure businesses can deploy drones easily and efficiently, while maintaining the highest safety standards," Kyle told the PA news agency."Requiring aircraft, including drones, to transmit their location electronically will reduce the risk of collisions and make it easier for regulators to approve complex drone operations, such as delivering blood samples for the NHS, monitoring critical national infrastructure, or supporting search and rescue missions."Quite simply, this is regulation that will unlock a raft of new commercial and public service opportunities for the use of drones, supporting just some of the innovation we need that will drive growth and deliver on our plan for change."These steps will ensure the drone sector can grow while delivering real benefits to the public. "We'll consult on how best to implement this, working with industry to get the balance right. "But our direction is clear: we are making the UK the best place in the world to develop and deploy cutting-edge technologies, backed by the work of our Regulatory Innovation Office."
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tech secretary to slash red tape in bid to boost tech growth
Technology secretary Peter Kyle has pledged to strip away outdated regulations that delay cutting-edge technology like medical delivery drones and AI powered healthcare solutions. Speaking at the TechUK conference on Monday, Kyle said that 'there is no route to long term growth without innovation'. He also announced plans for the first ever dedicated strategy for the digital and technology sector, which is centred on pro-innovation regulation. Kyle highlighted the urgent need to remove unnecessary barriers that slow down new technology. He cited an ongoing trial in London where medical drones are speeding up blood sample deliveries, a project that could be derailed by a single nose complaint. Under the government's new approach, such regulatory obstacles will be removed to ensure tech reaches the market quickly and safely. To lead this transformation, former science minister Lord David Willetts has been appointed as the first chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), tasked with modernising rules to accelerate game-changing technology. The government is also investing in cutting edge technology, with Kyle announcing £12m for ten winners of Innovate UK's quantum missions pilot, to advance quantum computing and networking. Kyle also outlined how the government's Invest 2035 strategy will harness engineering biology, AI, semiconductors, cyber, quantum, and telecoms to build a stronger economy and improve lives across the UK. He emphasised that the nation must be a stable partner for researchers and businesses, working alongside them to tackle the biggest challenges of the decade ahead. Lord Willetts, now leading the RIO, said he was 'honoured to shape regulatory approaches that empower new technologies'. This comes as the government announces its plans to hit regulators with performance targets to drive innovation.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tech Secretary to cut red tape to make new technology available more quickly
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has said he will cut red tape so that technology like medical delivery drones can be made available more quickly. He told a tech conference that the Government would prioritise pro-innovation regulation in a dedicated plan for the sector, saying there is 'no route to long-term growth and no solution to our productivity problem, without innovation'. A trial of medical drones to deliver blood samples in London could be derailed by a single noise complaint, and this is the kind of red tape that will be peeled away so technologies can be brought to market quickly, he said. It comes as former Conservative minister Lord David Willetts was confirmed as the first head of the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), a role in which he will be tasked with shaping regulatory approaches for new technologies. The Technology Secretary told the techUK conference: 'Everywhere you see, there is an imbalance of power in this country which has – for too long – made it impossible to imagine a better future for Britain. 'To deliver our Plan for Change we have to shift the balance of power, away from stagnation and old ideas, towards innovation and opportunity, and the bold people building a new future for Britain. 'In doing so, by 2035 we could see a whole new Britain emerge, harnessing the power of technological development, from engineering biology to AI, semiconductors and cyber security, or quantum and future telecoms for a stronger economy and better lives for all in the UK.' Mr Kyle also announced the 10 winners of Innovate UK's Quantum Missions Pilot, who will receive £12 million between them to help develop quantum computing and networking technologies. The RIO was launched in October and is intended to reduce the burdens for businesses looking to bring new products and services to the market. Lord Willetts said he is 'honoured' to take on the role and hailed the 'exciting opportunity to shape regulatory approaches that empower new technologies'. Among the technologies the body could help make available are delivery drones for medicines and AI training software for surgeons, officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said. Drones could also be looked at in relation to other industries such as faster delivery of packages or groceries. Lord Willetts served as the MP for Havant from 1992 to 2015, and was paymaster general for a time under Sir John Major, before returning to the government as universities and science minister in Lord David Cameron's administration. Mr Kyle said Lord Willetts' experience 'will be key to streamlining innovation and unapologetically unleash the innovation that we know can improve lives'.
