Robotics
Whilst robotics has traditionally been used for repeat operations in high-volume manufacturing, advances in artificial intelligence and other component technologies are opening a myriad of exciting possibilities for more varied and complex applications.
Robotics
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Incorporating digital features such as machine vision and machine learning equips robots with the ability to identify objects and make appropriate decisions about the actions they perform – reducing the need for remote control and fixed trajectory programming. From harvesting our food to assisting us in our homes as we grow older, intelligent robots have the potential to help address many of the key challenges impacting societies around the world today.
Our goal is to help you form powerful collaborations across the Robotics and AI community in the UK, and turn your ambitious ideas into real-world solutions. We use our deep expertise and diverse connections to offer you direct support, and link you to relevant funding opportunities and potential partners.
We can help organisations from any sector, large or small, that wish to develop or deploy Robotics & AI; Investors wishing to connect with high potential Robotics & AI innovation companies; Innovators developing new component technologies which can advance Robotics & AI capabilities.
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Read now: The UK RAS Landscape: UK capability in Robotics and Autonomous Systems over the coming decade.
Related Opportunities
UK Defence Innovation Competition: Innovation Support to Operations Phase 3 (Cycle 7)
Opens: 23/02/2026 Closes: 12/05/2026
Seeking cost competitive, innovative solutions across seven new challenge areas covering Unmanned Aerial Systems, telemetry, and autonomous navigation/guidance.
More Information
Advanced manufacturing supply chain innovation: CRD
Opens: 27/04/2026 Closes: 10/06/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £6.5 million for collaborative industrial research to make supply chains more productive, resource efficient and resilient.
More Information
UK Defence Innovation: Map the Gap (Phase 3)
Opens: 22/04/2026 Closes: 16/06/2026
£2m total funding for proposals that can remotely assess terrain stability and measure rivers and nearby areas, to support safe and rapid traversing of land forces.
More Information
Dual-use aviation systems and autonomy
Opens: 05/05/2026 Closes: 03/06/2026
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £10 million for the development of aviation technologies and systems that support both civil and military use cases. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
More Information
Counter UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) Technologies
Opens: 05/05/2026 Closes: 03/06/2026
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £5m to develop dual use (civil & military) technologies to counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
More Information
Automated bulk scrap sampling for EAF steelmaking
Opens: 28/04/2026 Closes: 05/06/2026
Tata Steel UK invites innovators to propose fit for purpose bulk scrap sampling solutions capable of extracting representative samples from highly heterogeneous scrap deliveries during unloading or controlled material flow.
More Information
Related Case Studies
Innovate UK supports Bettering Our Worlds’ ambition of derisking robotics software development
From conception to reality, discover how Innovate UK’s Robotics Proving Ground programme helped Bettering Our Worlds’ (BOW) robotics innovation reach new levels of innovation.
Related Events and Recordings
Wed
29
Apr
2026
AgriScale: Accelerating agri-tech manufacturing showcase and consortia building
09.00 - 16.00 | Coventry
View slides
Tue
24
Mar
2026
Related News
25/06/2024
Scaling New Heights: Investing in Future Flight
As part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge, Innovate UK Business Connect recently hosted its first Future Flight investor engagement event in Canary Wharf.