F1 | Coronavirus, UK-based Formula 1 teams also join the consortium for the production of medical ventilators

A consortium of leading UK industry, technology and engineering sectors from aerospace, automotive and medical sectors have come together to produce medical ventilators for Britain. The VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium is led by Dick ElsyCEO High Value Manufacturing Catapult, a group of research centers in the United Kingdom. Last week the consortium worked hard to investigate the production of a range of ventilator designs, to meet a high-level specification for a Rapid Production Ventilator System (RMVS) developed by doctors and the Medicines Regulatory Agency and Healthcare (MHRA).

The consortium assessed all requirements to design, produce, assemble and test components, as well as medical ventilators. Participating companies have received formal orders exceeding 10.000 units from the government. The consortium will accelerate the production of an agreed new design, based on existing technologies, which can be assembled from materials and parts in current production. The device combines existing proven clinical equipment, and is doctors' first choice for RMVS. The regulator has been involved throughout, and we expect a simple and timely regulatory signature. The consortium is working at full speed to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to speed up the production of this project. Production will begin this week. The consortium also includes another medical ventilator manufacturer, and will provide them with additional manufacturing support and assembly facilities to scale up production of a second ventilator design to full regulatory approval. In response to NHS requirements for the treatment of Coronavirus patients, there are a number of other projects aiming to increase ventilator production. The consortium VentilatorChallengeUK is committed to playing its role in delivering both designs of medical ventilators to the specification required, and in collaboration with these other companies, organizations and groups, will assist in the delivery of further ventilators to the NHS. The companies involved have taken many of their people from key corporate projects to do this and meet national needs.

“This consortium brings together some of the most innovative companies in the world – Dick Elsy said. Every day their highly trained staff collaborates to create solutions trying to help millions of people, and this project is no different. They are working together with incredible determination and energy to scale up production of needed ventilators and fight a virus affecting people in many countries. I am confident that this consortium has the skills and tools to make a difference and save lives."

Participating in the consortium:

• Airbus
• BAE Systems
• Ford Motor Company
• GKN Aerospace
• High Value Manufacturing Catapult
• Inspiration Healthcare Group
• Meggitt
• Penlon
• Renishaw
• Rolls-Royce
• Siemens Healthineers and Siemens UK
• Smiths Group
• Thales
• Ultra Electronics
• Unilever
• UK-based F1 teams: Haas F1, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Racing Point, Renault Sport Racing, Williams

Key enablers:

• Accenture
• Arrow Electronics
• Dell Technologies
• Microsoft
• PTC