Innovation, research and development

Coventry and the wider region has proved an attractive proposition for globally recognised brands like Jaguar Land Rover, Tata and Aston Martin. Powerhouses such as these continue to be drawn to this area in part, due to world class knowledge transfer, R&D and innovation facilities, excellent transport links to innovation sites across the wider region, and one of the strongest education, skills and apprenticeship provisions in the UK.

Key R&D and innovation assets include the following:

Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC)

The role of the APC is to position the UK as a centre of excellence for low carbon propulsion development and production. The APC team brings together and supports those who have good ideas in the form of innovative technologies with those who can bring them to market as products.

Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) website

Advanced Manufacturing Centre (MTC)

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) was established in 2010 as an independent Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) with the objective of bridging the gap between academia and industry. 

Specialising in digital manufacturing, additive manufacturing, automation and robotics as well as intelligent automation. Operating some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, and employ a team of highly skilled engineers, many of whom are leading experts in their field. This creates a high quality environment for the development and demonstration of new processes and technologies on an industrial scale.

The MTC’s rapid growth has seen the expansion of their campus with the construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre and the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing. 

Advanced Manufacturing Centre (MTC) website

Coventry University

A forward-looking, modern university with a proud tradition as a provider of high quality education and a focus on applied research.

Our students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and facilities in all academic disciplines including health, design and engineering laboratories, performing arts studios and computing centres. We have been chosen to host three national Centres of Excellence in Teaching and Learning which has enabled us to invest substantial sums of money in health, design and mathematics.

Through our links with leading edge businesses and organisations in the public and voluntary sectors, our students are able to access project and placement opportunities that enhance their employability on graduation. The centres of excellence include:

Coventry University website

Horiba MIRA

HORIBA MIRA is a global provider of pioneering engineering, research and test services to the automotive, defence, aerospace and rail sectors. We work in close collaboration with vehicle manufacturers and suppliers around the world, providing comprehensive support ranging from individual product tests to turnkey engineering design, development and build programmes.

With over 70 years’ experience in developing some of the world’s most iconic vehicles, engineers utilise the latest test facilities and simulation tools to make vehicles and journeys safer, cleaner, more efficient and rewarding. Having a suite of 40 major test facilities, 100km of specialised proving ground and wealth of engineering experience, combined with their expanding international presence, means they are confident that they can achieve their vision "every journey in the world will be positively influenced by us". Progress towards achieving this vision has been significantly accelerated through the creation of MIRA Technology Park, Europe’s largest transport technology R&D cluster. Companies include Bentley, Changan, Ashok Leyland, Aston Martin, Lockheed Martin and Haldex, with the campus set to grow into a 2 million sq.ft. R&D powerhouse employing over 2,500 engineers.

Horiba MIRA website

Innovation Programme

A range of support is on offer including grants to SMEs in Coventry & Warwickshire who are developing innovative products and services involving emerging technology.

MIRA Technology Park

Mira Technology Park is Europe’s largest transport technology R&D cluster. Companies include Bentley, Changan, Ashok Leyland, Aston Martin, Lockheed Martin and Haldex, with the campus set to grow into a 2 million sq.ft. R&D powerhouse employing over 2,500 engineers.

Mira Technology Park website

MIRA Technology Institute

MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) is a bespoke global centre for skills on the grounds of the MIRA Technology Park, funded through a £9.5m grant from the Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Local Growth Fund with contributions from its partners, and is backed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

MIRA Technology Institute will deliver the specialist skills required to operate at the cutting edge of automotive technology.

MIRA Technology Institute website

National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC)

The NAIC occupies 33,000m2 next to WMG’s current facilities on the University of Warwick campus. It is a collaborative space where in excess of 1,000 engineers and academics from partner companies can work on a range of advanced projects. Facilities will include:

  • Advanced Powertrain Research
  • Hybrid & Chassis Research
  • Advanced Design Research
  • Simulation and Visualisation areas
  • Collaborative Project areas
  • Undergraduate Teaching and Project Space
  • Public Interface area

National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) website

National Transport Design Centre (NTDC)

NTDC is a state-of-the-art facility, operating within Coventry University’s Institute for Future Transport and Cities. It opened in May 2017 and is designed to explore new areas of transport design research and find new ways to use existing equipment, as well as creating new technologies and real transferable outcomes and impact.

National Transport Design Centre (NTDC) website

UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC)

The open-access, state of the art facility will develop the processes to transition the UK to be a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of batteries, delivering on the Industrial Strategy’s Future of Mobility Grand Challenge

UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) website

University of Warwick

One of the UK's leading research universities and the quality and impact of our research is reflected in its rankings. Performing strongly in the most recent Government Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014:

  • 7th overall in the UK (based on multi-faculty institutions)
  • 4 of our departments ranked as the leading academic departments for outputs (publications) in the country
  • 19 departments are in the UK top ten in their unit of assessment based on output
  • 87% of our research is 'world-leading' (3*) or 'internationally excellent' (4*)
  • Includes the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG)

University of Warwick website

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG)

WMG was founded by Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing. Its mission has been to improve the competitiveness of organisations through the application of value adding innovation, new technologies and skills deployment, bringing academic rigour to industrial and organisational practice. Today, the WMG has grown into an international role model for how universities and business can successfully work together. The centres of excellence include:

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) website

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