This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research
organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government
under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes are not eligible for HMGCC CoCreation challenges.

Smart glasses are now commercially available, offering features including integrated cameras, AI voice assistance and heads-up displays.

For security and defence operators, smart glasses could provide a first-person reconnaissance view of a terrain but, for this capability to be used, government would need a robust, secure, and automated software chain able to convert raw sensor streams into 3D geospatial intelligence.

Human reconnaissance is a specialised task undertaken when drones and satellites can’t be used, for example when scouting concealed targets, operating in adverse weather conditions or where agility is required.

In high stress situations, it is crucial a system is available that is easy to use. This system should be able to take images of the situation being studied, so the data can be interpreted by an analyst.

This challenge really asks whether commercial smart glasses could help provide a lower cost solution to some of the existing specialised systems.

But questions remain:

• Who can access the raw data and under which legal frameworks?
• Can the camera deliver sufficient resolution and stability for accurate mapping?
• Can the sensor suite be leveraged to generated reliable 3D models without additional hardware, while processing in real time?

Michael is on a reconnaissance mission in a city. His objective is to gather a detailed visual and acoustic map for operational planning, which could help future colleagues travelling in the city have a better understanding of the area.

Michael wears a commercial pair of smart glasses that continuously record a highresolution video feed. They tag each frame with head-orientation data using built-in inertial measurements, and capture sound. All data remains encrypted on the device and is processed in real-time. The data is only downloaded after the mission, eliminating any transmission risk.

When back at base, analyst Julie inspects the raw and the real-time processed data. She can see that the 3D model has already been created, the algorithm on an edge device was able to compensate for rapid head movements, stitching overlapping frames into seamless panoramas.

This data can now be easily accessed by local staff so they can avoid dangerous areas and see up to date maps of the local environment.

The focus of this challenge is on processing sensor information from smart glasses.
The deliverable should be a proof of concept to at least Technology Readiness Level
(TRL) 4.
Essential requirements:
• Assess the data generated from smart glasses and provide a report on where
the data may go and who may have access.
• Use camera sensor information from smart glasses to provide high-quality
images of an urban environment in daytime.
• Demonstrate a proof of concept using camera information to re-create a 3D
map.
Desirable requirements:
• Use camera sensor information from smart glasses to provide high-quality
images of an urban environment in low light conditions.
• Demonstrate a proof of concept using audio sensor information to add to
reconnaissance information.
• Explore all essential requirements across multiple smart glasses from different
manufacturers.
• A stretch goal is to combine audio and visual data to overcome common
mapping hurdles, such as reflections (which confuse cameras) and solid walls
(which block sight).
• Reports on this work should detail future roadmaps of smart glasses
manufacturers, including projecting the types of new sensors and other
features that could be incorporated in the next three years.
Constraints:
• We are open to a wide range of smart glasses on the market.
• All smart glasses sensor information gathered must be legally compliant, for
example with GDPR.
• The terms and conditions of the use of procured smart glasses must not be
breached.

Not required:
• We do not want a redesign of smart glasses.
• We do not want to develop new smart glasses.
• We do not want to change the physical structure of smart glasses

Clarifying questions or general requests for assistance can be submitted directly to Co-Creation@dstl.gov.uk and cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk before the deadline with the challenge title as the subject. These clarifying questions may be technical, procedural, or commercial in subject, or anything else where assistance is required. Please note that answered questions will be published to facilitate a fair and open
competition.

You can also contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Security & Defence or Robotics & AI teams.

• Competition opens: Monday 12 October 2026
• Clarifying questions deadline: Thursday 29 October 2026
• Clarifying questions published: Thursday 5 November 2026
• Competition closes: Thursday 12 November 2026
• Applicants notified: Monday 19 November 2026
• Pitch Day: Wednesday 25 November 2026
• Pitch Day outcome: Monday 30 November
• Commercial onboarding begins: Tuesday 1 December 2026 (the successful solution provider will be expected to have availability for a one-hour onboarding call via MS Teams to begin the onboarding/contractual process)
• Target project kick-off: January 2027