Didcot: Science Vale working with Bosch on digital future

Science Vale UK and Didcot Garden Town are working together with Bosch and local business parks to create a 21st century vision for the region.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have always looked to develop cutting-edge services in line with the region's world-leading scientific research and development business clusters. They are now looking at how SMART technology can help rural locations and improve the lives of its residents.

SMART technology principles embody the UK government’s garden town initiatives and the district councils are working with world leading innovators to use new technology in Didcot on a commercial basis.

One challenge they face is how technology can be used within surrounding rural areas to improve mobility for residents and visitors. The Science Vale region is one of the fastest growing economies outside of London, and with the area's business parks looking to add 20,000 new jobs in the next 15 years including plans for 15,000 new homes, mobility in the region will need to be future-proof.

As part of the council’s partnership with Bosch, the leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, John Cotton, will be one of the speakers at this year’s prestigious TransforMOTION event in London on September 8. Cotton will be talking on the district’s vision for Science Vale UK and Didcot Garden Town and how the areas of international science and technology could create new solutions not just in this region, but for other towns and rural environments.

The event is taking place at Somerset House in London and will be open to the public from 9am to 5pm with talks from a wide range of industry leaders and informative Q&A sessions. There will also be a chance for visitors to experience first-hand the Bosch innovative transport solutions for the future, including light electric vehicles such as eBikes, Highly Automated Driving, autonomous pods and microclimate monitoring systems to help improve air quality.

Cotton said: “Along with our science partners, we have been working in partnership with Bosch to help identify future innovations that connect Science Vale UK region and Didcot Garden Town.”

He added: “I am looking forward to speaking at TransforMOTION and excited to see some of the new technology that could be introduced locally and potentially transform all our lives in the future.”

President of Bosch UK, Steffen Hoffmann said: “More and more people are moving to cities for work and a better quality of life. To accommodate these growing urban populations, the need for more efficient infrastructures has never been greater. We need to develop smart and resilient cities for the future, ensuring its people are at the heart of city development. These connected cities are interactive communities where everyday life is easy and efficient and people are in tune with each other and their city.

"Bosch is proud to join forces with South Oxfordshire & Vale of White Horse District Councils, helping them to make Didcot Garden Town a vibrant and sustainable place for people to live. To become a leading example of a connected city of the future, with enhanced convenience, security and energy efficiency through intelligently connected solutions. A smart city that not only improves quality of life, but also the economic efficiency of cities themselves.”