Aurrigo International has signed a £6.28m contract with Ultra Global Limited to manufacture an initial fleet of 25 autonomous guided vehicles, marking the largest vehicle manufacturing order in Aurrigo’s history.
The programme will modernise an existing vehicle platform to meet current performance, safety, and technology standards for use in airport and passenger settings in the UK. Engineering development is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, with production and testing to follow ahead of a planned completion date of September 2027.
The contract covers a broad technical update to the vehicles, including a transition from lead-acid to lithium-ion battery architecture, HVAC upgrades aimed at improving efficiency and passenger comfort, and the integration of updated sensor packages. New electrical control units and software will also be introduced, alongside retooling and wider mechanical modernisation intended to support future scalability.
Jonathan Keeling, Director of Ultra Global Limited, said: “In evaluating partners globally, Aurrigo distinguished itself through its ability to deliver the complete vehicle solution – from core platform development through to advanced technology implementation.”
He added: “We are proud to have found that expertise here in the UK, with manufacturing capability based in the heart of the West Midlands. This contract marks a significant step in advancing the Ultra Global platform to the next level.”
The first batch of vehicles will be used for customer demonstrations and commercial engagement activity in the UK and overseas as the partners pursue additional deployment opportunities. That places the programme in a dual role — a live engineering and manufacturing contract, and a route to further market development in passenger transport applications.
For Aurrigo, the deal also links directly to the growth strategy set out during its recent £14.1m capital raise, which focused on securing revenue-generating programmes and expanding UK manufacturing capability alongside a wider network of global hubs.
David Keene, Chief Executive Officer of Aurrigo International, said the agreement was aligned with that strategy and would complement the company’s existing Auto range of autonomous vehicles while supporting engineering and manufacturing activity in the West Midlands.
The contract gives Aurrigo a larger manufacturing base from which to pursue the next phase of its autonomy programme. It also gives Ultra Global a near-term fleet for demonstration and market development, with both companies indicating that additional orders could follow if deployment opportunities convert into commercial programmes.
