Demonstrator for RAI in extreme and challenging environments – phase 1

This is the first phase of the demonstrator programme. It is for projects focusing on technical feasibility studies of individual technologies, systems or subsystems for off-shore energy, nuclear energy, space and deep mining applications.

Proposals should clearly identify the operational scenario for extreme and challenging environments, in which the RAI technologies or sub/systems would be used, as well as the risks and potential benefits.

The aim of this competition is to encourage and stimulate the development of RAI technologies for extreme and challenging environments.

The resulting developments should demonstrate a potential step change in the minimisation of human intervention and/or demonstrate potential productivity increases.

Innovate UK is looking to fund projects that combine complementary disciplines to achieve the necessary system functionalities or capabilities. Examples include:

• system-level modularity and automation/autonomy
• automated/autonomous movement and GPS-denied navigation within and around complicated topographies
• highly accurate navigation, localisation and 3D mapping
• integrated multi-sensor systems for self-sensing, data analysis and situational awareness
• communications and swarming
• access to and movement in remote/confined areas and retrieval under failure
• high levels of dexterity and manipulation
• ability to grip, cut up, pick and place items of various sizes and mass
• redundancies and graceful degradation in failures
• visualisation, mission planning and risk management
• human and robotics collaboration

Any successful proposals from phase 1 that subsequently apply for phase 2 funding will be expected to show how their phase 1 activity advanced the technology and subsequent exploitation plans of the product or service.

The involvement of end-users is encouraged.

Specific competition themes
Innovate UK are particularly encouraging applications that can clearly:

• identify the operational scenario in which the technological developments would be used
• identify the technical risks and potential operational benefits
• explain the reusability of the technological developments in different RAI systems for extreme and challenging environments, and the corresponding market sizes

Specific competition themes

Innovate UK are particularly encouraging applications that can clearly:

• identify the operational scenario in which the technological developments would be used
• identify the technical risks and potential operational benefits
• explain the reusability of the technological developments in different RAI systems for extreme and challenging environments, and the corresponding market sizes

Eligibility

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)

Innovate UK have allocated up to £6 million to fund innovation projects in this competition. A business must lead the project.

Project costs of up to £100,000

If you are a company and expect eligible total project costs to be up to £100,000 only, you can run the project on your own. You can also work with other businesses or research organisations.

Project costs of £100,000 or above

If you expect your eligible total project costs to be more than £100,000, you must work with other organisations. At least one of these must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

Project types