The collaboration forms part of a UK Government‑supported project under the £4 billion DRIVE35 programme, delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Innovate UK. The initiative aims to advance manufacturing technologies that support the development of more efficient and robust vehicle systems.
The partners are working on a “Mirror 2.0” concept designed to address the increasing electrical and electronic complexity of modern exterior mirrors. These assemblies now incorporate multiple functions, including adjustment motors, heating elements, sensors and lighting, all within a restricted space. Manually installing wiring harnesses into such compact designs has become more challenging and labour‑intensive as complexity increases.
Under the project, Q5D will contribute its automated wiring technology and design expertise to help SMR integrate wiring directly into the structure of the mirror. The company uses multi‑axis robotic platforms that place and secure conductors onto three‑dimensional components, reducing manual handling and improving consistency.
A series of joint design workshops will be held as part of the development process. During these sessions, SMR will refine the mirror design, while Q5D will propose methods for routing and securing wiring in a way that supports automated assembly. The initial phase of the work will conclude with the production of a demonstrator mirror manufactured in the UK, combining the updated electrical layout with Q5D’s automated wiring approach.
The project is structured in stages aligned with government funding under the DRIVE35 programme – the current Demonstrate 35 phase focuses on proving the technical feasibility of the concept through a working prototype. If this phase is successful, the partners expect to seek follow‑on funding to scale the technology for higher‑volume production.
Testing and validation will also play a key role. SMR will carry out environmental and functional testing of the prototype mirrors using its in‑house facilities, while Q5D will manufacture the automated wiring harness elements and support their integration into the mirror assembly. As the design is refined, the partners will address compliance with relevant automotive wiring and connector standards, including commonly referenced specifications such as USCAR.
By automating the manufacture and integration of wiring harnesses, the collaboration aims to improve repeatability and manufacturability while reducing reliance on manual processes. The partners say this approach could help support the long‑term viability of advanced automotive mirror manufacturing in the UK as vehicle systems continue to evolve.
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