Notice

Competition brief: robotics and autonomous systems applications

Updated 19 October 2016

This notice was withdrawn on 21 September 2017

This competition is no longer open. Search current funding opportunities.

1. Dates and deadlines

Competition opens	Monday 18 July 2016
Briefing event for applicants	Wednesday 27 July 2016
Brokerage events	Monday 12 September 2016 Wednesday 14 September 2016 Monday 19 September 2016
Registration deadline	Noon on Wednesday 19 October 2016
Application deadline	Noon on Wednesday 26 October 2016

2. The competition scope

The aim of this competition is to enable the development of successful RAS products, services or processes. Examples of the application areas for RAS include, but are not limited to: service robotics, demanding environments, agriculture, healthcare, mobile production, and logistics.

The systems can be physical (for example, a next generation robot) or digital only (for example, an automated decision-making system).

Developing RAS involves combining many complementary disciplines. These must work seamlessly together to achieve the necessary functionality. These include, but are not limited to:

• modelling and simulation
• digital signal processing
• algorithm design
• software engineering
• sensor technologies
• vision systems and imaging
• analogue and digital electronics
• embedded system design
• mechatronics system design
• wireless communications
• energy efficiency
• mobility and manipulation

We are looking to fund projects to develop, integrate and validate RAS technologies and applications from across these or other disciplines. This involves overcoming several technological and commercial challenges and risks. We are particularly interested in projects that address one or more of the following:

• system and system-of-systems engineering
• system verification, validation and certification
• design and manufacturing of robotic systems
• multi-sensor system integration, data fusion and perception
• control systems for remotely controlled or unmanned system operation
• cognitive systems for autonomous system behaviour
• human–robot interaction
• robot–robot interaction
• dependability, longevity and safety
• actuation and locomotion
• navigation, task and motion planning
• software systems, architectures and tools

Once these cross-cutting challenges are overcome, it will be possible to use RAS in many different markets from service robotics to logistics. This competition will enable UK companies to develop new multi-sector capabilities. This especially applies to start-ups and SMEs. We intend to encourage RAS research to progress towards commercialisation.

Proposals should show how they can speed up the development of RAS towards technology demonstration and commercialisation. This should be in at least one identified market sector.

We may select projects across a portfolio of topics.

If you have a project that meets the aims of the competition but does not address one of the above topics, please contact us. We will tell you if your project is eligible.

3. Projects that we won’t fund

In this competition we do not intend to fund development of new sensors, hardware or software platforms. But, we may consider this if applicants can make a compelling case for a lack of capabilities or performance in the existing technology.

4. Find out if you are eligible to apply

To lead a project, you must:

• be a UK-based business
• be a business of any size
• carry out your project in the UK
• work alone or in collaboration with others (businesses, research base and third sector)

5. Funding and project details

We have allocated up to £5 million to fund innovation projects in this competition.

All projects must involve at least one SME and a business must lead the project.

Project costs of up to £100,000

If you are an SME and expect your eligible project costs to be up to £100,000, you may run the project on your own. You may also work with other businesses or research organisations.

Project costs of £100,000 or above

If you expect your eligible project costs to be more than £100,000, you must work with other organisations. At least one of these must be an SME.

Project types

Your project may focus on technical feasibility, industrial research or experimental development. This will depend on the challenge.

For technical feasibility studies and industrial research, you could get:

• up to 70% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
• up to 60% if you are a medium-sized business
• up to 50% if you are a large business

For experimental development projects which are nearer to market, you could get:

• up to 45% of your eligible project costs if you are a small business
• up to 35% if you are a medium-sized business
• up to 25% if you are a large business

Find out if your business fits the EU definition of an SME.

We expect projects to last 6 to 15 months. We expect them to range in size from total costs of £50,000 to £500,000, depending on the type of project. You must complete the work, and incur, pay and claim for all costs before the end of March 2018. We will not allow project extensions beyond the end of March 2018.

6. How to apply

To apply:

• register online
• read the Guidance for Applicants for this competition
• watch the briefing event recording from 27 July 2016. We will announce other regional events here soon
• complete and upload your online application on our secure server

We will not accept late submissions. Your application is confidential.

Our assessment processes changed in May 2016. External, independent experts assess the quality of your application. We will then select the projects that we fund, to build a portfolio of projects that are:

• high quality
• reflect a range as described in the scope
• address opportunities across a range of industrial sectors
• reflect the potential for short, medium and long-term return on investment for the company and the UK

Read the general guidance for applicants before you apply. It will help your chances of submitting a successful application.

7. Background and further information

Many factors are stimulating interest in the innovation of robotic and autonomous system technology. These include:

• the opportunity for companies from different market sectors to increase their productivity
• maturing industrial–academic clusters
• a broadening and speeding up of the field’s research base
• expanding markets, particularly in areas such as service robotics, mobile production and demanding environments
• exciting new hardware
• improved computing technology
• effective, low-cost sensors
• an encouraging investment outlook

Robots that are independent of human control can learn, adapt and take decisions. Many experts predict that such robots will revolutionise our economy and society over the next 20 years. A recent report from McKinsey identified disruptive technologies related to RAS. These include mobile internet, automation of knowledge work, advanced robotics, and automated and autonomous vehicles. Such technologies have the potential for an annual economic impact of US$9.8 to 19.3 trillion in 2025. This impact would result from saving and extending lives, and transforming the way in which many industries build products and deliver services.

The UK has world-leading strengths in the underlying science and engineering that contributes to RAS. It also has access to the markets that could exploit them. This competition intends to encourage businesses and researchers to work together on innovative projects. These are to investigate new cross-cutting applications for robotics and autonomous systems.

If you want help to find a project partner, contact the Knowledge Transfer Network.

If you need more information, contact the competition helpline on 0300 321 4357 or email us at support@innovateuk.gov.uk