Lead vehicle

has opened the

’s first Integrated Vehicle Management (IVHM) Centre of Excellence to lead global development of vehicle-monitoring technology.

Located within a 8,100ft² new building at the university’s Technology Park, the centre intends to draw on knowledge from industry experts and academics to advance existing concepts of Maintenance and Repair Overhaul (MRO) for future vehicle platforms.

The technology works using a network of sensors to monitor and maintain the condition of a vehicle and its subsystems. The sensors collect data that is then read by onboard processors that are able to assess the vehicle’s health and predict possible deterioration. Results can be used to reduce operating costs, increase competitiveness, improve vehicle availability and allow companies to assess the effectiveness of their fleets.

BAE Systems, Meggitt, Rolls-Royce and Thales have joined Boeing to become core partners in the centre. The research will benefit from a £3m investment from the East of England Development Agency and £1m from each of the partners over a period of five years.