The government has committed £8.9m in funding to a series of projects aimed at removing regulatory barriers to creating new technology.
The funding, which will be delivered by the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), will back projects including a licensing regime for street cleaning robots, an AI tool to improve flood risk assessments in planning applications and new standards for long distance medical delivery drones.
The RIO was created last year by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to serve as a body that will work with regulators to speed up the approval of new technologies and processes, part of Whitehall’s pledge to cut burdensome red tape.
RIO has said the projects funded will support the goal of improving public services, boosting economic activity and improving the pace at which innovative new technologies can be put to use.
“Every day across the country new products are being invented that have the potential to transform lives and revolutionise public services,” said Tech Secretary Liz Kendall.
“But all too often, we are held back from taking advantage of them by red tape that simply hasn’t kept pace with the scientific and technological advances.
“That’s why we’re backing our regulators to work together with industry, to make the rules fit for purpose, and unlock breakthroughs that will deliver national renewal by driving our economy forwards faster, easier, and safely.”
Other funded projects include an online entrepreneur support platform, AI note-taking for health and social care workers and an examination of how disused underground assets can be repurposed for new infrastructure.
“The UK’s future prosperity depends on harnessing innovation. The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is a powerful catalyst, enabling our regulators to work with industry and researchers to bring high potential technologies to market more swiftly and safely,” said RIO chair Lord Willetts.
“The RIO’s collaborative approach as set out in our One-Year On report is creating a pro-innovation environment where British ingenuity can flourish, delivering real benefits for our economy and society.”
