ERTICO’s Partner Catapult Satellite Applications visited the organisation office on 10 May to provide an insight in their current activities and some highlights of the latest satellite technologies.
The Catapult network is the hub of excellence across UK that links expertise on research and development across the industry, government and academia. Organised in 11 independent catapults, the organisation connects the research world and SMEs to discuss innovation and technology challenges and solutions. The Satellite Applications Catapult, created in 2013, acts as an independent innovation and technology company to foster growth across the economy through the exploitation of space.
Satellite Applications Catapult is currently focusing on 5 Programmes, all relevant to the ERTICO partnership in their different features:
- Intelligent Transport Systems focusing on autonomous vehicles, intelligent mobility and integrated logistics;
- Explore Technology looking at location-based and connectivity services with enhanced satellite navigation and satellite communications;
- Sustainable Living which explores satellite capabilities for the monitoring of infrastructure or perishable goods in-transit;
- Blue Economy, a programme which identifies and creates opportunities to use satellite technology and data into services and solutions for the Maritime industry;
- Government Services which puts together governments in the UK and internationally, to promote the benefits of using satellite-enabled products and services.
Jim Hammond, User Engagement, and Ashweeni Beeharee, Head of Communication Systems Engineering, highlighted Satellite Application Catapult’s role within eCall, the European emergency number mandatory for all new cars from 2018, which will be able to connect for examples ambulances with hospitals in poorly connected areas or use satellite communications for connected vehicles and buses.
A large demonstration on eCall advancements will be held at the upcoming ITS Congress in Strasbourg from 19 to 22 June, organised by Satellite Applications Catapult and the i_HeeRO project partners including ERTICO – ITS Europe. The live demonstration will show how satellite communications and positioning will be used for emergency communication in the next generation and will present technical features such as the Satellite Earth Observation Imagery, a video on Satcom and technical innovations, situational awareness and cross-border data transfer.
