An illustration of a sandwich

Researchers to teach robots how to differentiate between sandwich ingredients so they can make your favourite BLT

Loughborough University computer scientists have teamed up with a food production automation company for a project that looks to teach AI robots how to differentiate between food items so they can make sandwiches in real-world factory environments.

A car taking off the road. Illustration.

Are self-driving cars safe? Expert on how we will drive in the future

Cars are changing – fast. But are innovations such as autonomous and flying cars a bright new dawn, or just a wild pipe dream? And if they become the future’s way of getting from A to B, can we trust them to take us there safely? Here are five key questions answered by Loughborough University's Professor Andrew Morris, an expert in Human Factors in Transport Safety.
Ask an Expert.

Video Q&A: We asked an expert panel your questions on the future of transport

What will our cars look like if they become fully autonomous? What’s the likelihood of vehicle-to-grid being successful? Will flying cars be safe? Or will they present new dangers?

Virtual engine test simulator is transforming China's fledgling hydrogen car industry

Scientists have created a computer simulation program which allows car manufacturers in China to virtually test hydrogen fuel cell engines instead of building expensive prototypes.
Traffic in Kolkata, India. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

Academics to help design electric vehicle specific to the Indian market in a bid to improve the country’s uptake of clean transport tech

Loughborough University academics have been awarded funding to help with the design and development of a four-wheeled electric vehicle for research, teaching and outreach in India.
A vector of a football player

Loughborough London experts team up with Chelsea FC Academy to teach AI how to ‘think’ and make split-second decisions on the go

A Loughborough University London academic is to develop ground-breaking algorithms that will equip AI systems with the ability to ‘think’ and respond to busy, ever-changing environments – such as driving on the road - much faster than humans.

New fellowship will put Loughborough at the forefront of future automation

A new £1.6m fellowship will explore the future of automation to help develop better drones, driverless cars and healthcare technology.

The future of railway vehicles: New digital design allows for quicker, smoother and more economic travel

Engineers and academics have upgraded the design of traditional railway vehicle chassis with lasers, electric motors and artificial intelligence.
Royal Navy helicopter on campus.

A FLYING VISIT: Alumni return to campus to discuss helicopter operations in the Royal Navy

A Royal Navy helicopter from the Commando Helicopter Force took to the sky above Loughborough University earlier this week as six naval officers returned to their old stomping ground to meet with current students.
Electric car illustration.

Virgin Media owner announces plans for 1,200 on-street electric vehicle chargers – and Loughborough research will determine where they go

Liberty Global, the owner of Virgin Media, has unveiled plans to help revolutionise on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging – and Loughborough academics will play a crucial role in making the vision a reality.
Brain illustration.

Loughborough London academic to develop AI systems that can ‘think’ and respond to dynamic environments faster than any human being

A Loughborough University London academic is to develop ground-breaking algorithms that will equip AI systems with the ability to ‘think’ and respond to busy, ever-changing environments – like complex road junctions - much faster than human beings.

A robot hand holding an apple

Experts examine how technology is being used to improve food manufacturing and outline the next steps for the industry

From using satellites to track asparagus crops, to measuring the lean meat percentage of pork using a high-tech camera, companies across the food manufacturing supply chain are embracing emerging technologies in new and interesting ways.

Four visions for the future of public transport

The way people get around is starting to change, and as a professor of transport strategy I do rather wonder if the modes of transport we use today will still be around by the turn of the next century.
Electric plane illustration.

Electric planes are here – but they won’t solve flying’s CO2 problem

The UK government plans to ban the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040. Clearly the plan is for all citizens to be driving electric or hybrid-electric cars, or – better still – riding bicycles.

A woman cooking with biomass and an electric alternative in the background.

Loughborough-led programme awards £1.3m to projects and innovators in a bid to accelerate the transition to clean cooking on a global scale

More than £1.3m has been awarded to six clean cooking innovators and 22 projects thanks to a Loughborough University-led research programme that looks to find innovative, clean and modern alternatives to biomass fuels, such as charcoal and wood.

Electric vehicle charge point

Academics part of £39m Ford project that looks to bring the next generation of electrified vehicles to the market faster

Loughborough University is working on a collaborative industry research project to develop digital engineering tools that will help bring the next generation of electrified commercial vehicles to the market much faster.
Futuristic city and roads

Future Transport Campaign: University launches new drive to promote game-changing research and innovations

Loughborough University is celebrating the academics and projects that look to revolutionise vehicles and the way we travel as part of a two-month initiative focussed on the future of transport.
Illustration of pipes under a city.

The sound of the underground: Academic awarded £100,000 to develop technologies that can ‘hear’ the deterioration of buried infrastructures

A Loughborough University academic has been awarded £100,000 to develop new systems that can ‘hear’ when the ground under building, transport and energy networks is starting to deteriorate.

International research centre will investigate new road safety concerns as driverless cars become popular

A new £1.5m research centre will investigate the safety issues faced by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and children as the growing number of driverless cars bring fresh challenges to the roads.

Major construction projects play a critical role in improving workers’ understanding of occupational health risks, study suggests

Major construction projects can play a critical role in improving workers’ understanding of health risks and championing ‘universally high standards’ across the industry, according to new research.
3D printing with moon dust.

Return to the moon? 3D printing with moondust could be the key to future lunar living

The entire Apollo 11 mission to the moon took just eight days. If we ever want to build permanent bases on the moon, or perhaps even Mars or beyond, then future astronauts will have to spend many more days, months and maybe even years in space without a constant lifeline to Earth.
Solar panels with the sun behind.

Loughborough expert contributes to new paper launched at House of Lords that champions UK solar expertise

A Loughborough University expert has contributed to a new report that champions the role of solar in the UK energy system and the extensive expertise and innovation in UK companies and academia.

How a future with zero net emissions might look for Britain...

With the Government’s announcement that Britain will make zero net emission law by 2050, experts from a diverse assortment of academic backgrounds have given their views on how they think that might work.

World’s fastest jet-powered suit demonstration at Loughborough University Design Show

Loughborough student Sam Rogers will fly a £340,000 3D printed jet suit this week as part of Loughborough University’s annual Design Show.
Bottle caps with the Loughborough Expert logo.

Recycling: why you can't just throw anything in the collection bin

For many years the recycling collected from households in the UK and other Western countries has been exported. This strategy has enabled these countries to carry on without much thought about how consumers purchase goods and dispose of all the unwanted packaging and containers.