The Innovation and Engineering Group, formerly the Design Engineering Group, and hereafter IEG, brings together SMMT members active in automotive innovation and engineering to discuss issues of common interest and to achieve the objectives set out below.
Innovation- and engineering-related activities under the purview of IEG cover, in the broadest terms but not strictly limited to, the following areas:
- Aerodynamics
- Artificial intelligence and vehicle computing systems
- Automotive design
- Body engineering
- Chassis design
- Component, parts and system design and manufacturing
- Crashworthiness
- Electric vehicles
- Electrical magnetic conductibility
- Electronic system design
- Environment
- Functional and legislative testing
- Lightweight materials
- Market survey
- Noise, vibration and harshness
- Powertrain engineering
- Predictive analysis
- Production support
- Programme management and control
- Prototyping
- Quality control
- Safety and security
- Sensors and sensing systems design
- Tool design and manufacturing
- Training and consultancy
- Vehicle dynamics
The Group meets three times a year, with additional meetings or special events being held as required. The chairman is elected annually by a ballot of committee members.
Membership of the Group is open to SMMT members from companies that:
- Carry out or support design, research and development, engineering, and/or manufacturing activities.
- Have significant interest in exploring the potential of innovative technologies, practices and processes, with a view to applying these, where relevant, in their respective businesses.
- Have substantial involvement in the UK motor industry.
- Have qualified designers, developers, consultants and/or engineers who can undertake internal assignments (i.e. OEMs) and/or provide a service to clients (i.e. suppliers and service providers).
By actively participating in IEG, members can:
- Obtain information, insights and sector-specific updates that better inform business strategy and priorities.
- Be provoked to think outside the box and innovate by learning about new ideas and approaches, some adapted from other sectors, that can be applied to automotive.
- Network with OEMs and peers from the wider innovation and engineering sector.
- Discover collaborative opportunities and form partnerships to bid for funding or work on specific projects/joint-ventures.
- Present views, concerns and recommendations in a collective voice that are then conveyed to the Government through relevant SMMT channels.
- More effectively develop their business by hearing from relevant funding sources, meeting the right customers and participating in niche business development events.
- Scout for new, innovative and sometimes less discoverable technologies and products.
IEG focus areas and delivery channels
Group correspondence is available generally to members of the Group only, in the restricted area of this site, or as distributed by SMMT IEG secretariat by email. For further information please contact David Wong, Technology and Innovation Manager.
