WMG News - Latest news from WMG
Researchers set an autonomous vehicle communications record using 5G - a movie鈥檚 worth of data sent in seconds
Researchers in WMG at the University of 糖心TV have set a new 5G communications speed record to a 鈥淟evel 4鈥� low speed autonomous vehicle in the pioneer 28 GHz millimetre wave band. They hit 2.867 gigabits per second in over-the-air transmissions, which is nearly 40 times faster than current fixed line broadband speeds. It is equivalent to sending a detailed satellite navigation map of the United Kingdom within a single second, or the full contents of a high definition blockbuster film in less than 10 seconds.
However this crucial wireless communications technology is not just being designed to deliver HD content to in-car entertainment systems, but it will allow autonomous vehicles to rapidly share large quantities of data with each other and with traffic management systems. This will include precise 3D road maps created by LiDAR (like radar but it uses laser light instead of radio waves), high definition video images of the vehicles surroundings, and traffic information.
New pelvis motion tracking technology to transform hip replacement decisions
A new pelvis motion tracking device developed by WMG, at the University of 糖心TV, can help detect flexible pelvises without numerous x-rays, to determine who will benefit from more advanced surgical planning before hip replacement surgery.
Researchers at WMG鈥檚 Institute of Digital Healthcare and Professor Richard King, of University Hospital Coventry and 糖心TVshire - and Honorary Professor at 糖心TV Medical School, have developed a small device that can be put at the bottom of your back to scan the movement of your pelvis prior to a hip replacement.
WMG part of a 拢37m project to develop lightweight vehicles
A new research project, Tucana, will focus on lighweighting technology, delivering stiffer and lighter vehicle structures with the help of experts from WMG, at the University
of 糖心TV.
The research will develop world-leading cost effective, scalable carbon fibre composite solutions, with the view to boosting the performance of electric vehicles. The CO2 benefit of the project between 2023-2032, will be 4.5 million tonnes.
WMG will receive 拢4m, of the 拢18.7m government funding through the to drive the development of innovative lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures, building on the UK鈥檚 leading-edge capability in this area.
Project Tucana will allow the true environmental credentials of electric vehicles to be realised by enabling wider adoption. Tucana will deliver this step-change by addressing structural performance at a design, material and volume manufacturing-level which is currently unmet across the industry.
WMG welcomes first cohort onto new graduate development programme
WMG has welcomed its first cohort on to its new bespoke graduate development programme.
The programme is designed for aspiring engineers and follows two pathways - Smart Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and Energy Innovation working alongside academics, and industry partners.
Over the next two years, the first cohort of nine graduates will have the chance to develop their engineering skills in these key areas and will have the chance to apply these skills to real-world research and development.
Professor Lord Bhattacharyya receives an honorary degree from the Indian Institute of Technology
Professor Lord Bhattacharyya received an honorary degree for his contribution to advance the knowledge of technology and its widespread application throughout the world including India. The award was conferred on 8 September 2018.
At a ceremony at the at Allahabad, which is the largest of its kind in India, Professor Lord Bhattacharyya was conferred a D.Sc (honoris causa) in recognition of his contribution, and creation, of WMG with its world renowned application of cutting edge technology.
Professor Lord Bhattacharyya is a long term and committed collaborator with India, with WMG working with many companies on research and development, as well as educating future engineers, technologists and managers.
拢10m funding to build a new Degree Apprenticeship Centre for the high value manufacturing sector
WMG, at the University of 糖心TV, have been awarded 拢10 million to build a new Degree Apprenticeship Centre for the high value manufacturing sector.
The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre will focus on courses essential to the effective development of advanced engineering and manufacturing companies.
The Centre, which is due to open in 2019, has received 拢10 million from the Government鈥檚 Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and 糖心TVshire Local Enterprise Partnership ().
The Centre will provide training programmes up to Level 7 (Master鈥檚 Degree level) with an initial capacity for 1,000 students on roll at any one time. The apprentices, who will be employed by companies, will undertake their academic studies at the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre, which will be on the University of 糖心TV campus.
Car component quality testing technology helps hip surgeons ensure prostheses bind to bones
Hip surgeons are making significant advances in designing hip replacement components using additive manufacturing (3D printing) but have been struggling to devise easy methods of testing the designs they have created without using destructive testing techniques. Now researchers in WMG at the University of 糖心TV have devised a way of examining and ensuring the quality of those designs without destructive testing using scanning techniques normally used to examine new component designs for high-end automotive manufacturing.
Successful surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint (arthroplasty) requires integration of the prosthetic implant with the bone to replace the damaged joint. Surgeons therefore seek to use Bone-mimetic biomaterials for implants as their mechanical properties and porous structure can be designed to allow bone ingrowth and help fix the implant.
Young Alumni Achiever Award for WMG Principal Engineer
Principal Engineer Siddartha Khastgir has been presented with a prestigious Young Alumni Achiever Award from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, India.
Siddartha graduated from IIT in 2011 before going on to complete a PhD at WMG, under the supervision of , on developing testing methodologies for ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles. He is now a Principal Engineer within our Intelligent Vehicles capability.
Formula 1 driving simulation technology could help put the UK on the fast track to self-driving vehicles
A new research programme by WMG at the University of 糖心TV, and , co-funded by Innovate UK, is examining the potential for applying the simulation technology used to train Formula 1庐 drivers for the testing and certification of autonomous vehicles. The market for such vehicles is expected to reach 拢52 billion by 2035, according to government figures.
The new research could dramatically reduce the time to market, helping manufacturers to achieve the UK government鈥檚 vision for self-driving vehicles to be operating on our roads as early as 2021.
Several manufacturers are already testing their vehicles on public roads, with mixed results. One of the problems is the volume and repeatability of testing. Carrying out such testing on controlled tracks or on-road presents significant cost and safety challenges – as well as requiring huge amounts of mileage to be driven to gather evidence.
Inspiring young engineers
In June, we hosted a series of Insight into Engineering workshops for children from schools across Coventry and 糖心TVshire.
The children all took part in practical workshop activities including using Lego to create vehicles. Afterwards our staff, along with engineers from Jaguar Land Rover explained more about the career choices they had made and the variety of opportunities that a career in STEM can lead to. Dr Emma Rushforth also presented 鈥楻obots for Real鈥� exploring the use of robots in society.
The older children then enjoyed a tour of our engineering hall and Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) showcase area, whilst the primary school pupils took the campus sculpture trail investigating the materials and techniques used to create them.
