UK seeks novel robotic and autonomous tech

The UK has launched a competition to identify early-stage, disruptive technologies with the potential to, upon maturity, support future robotic and autonomous defence systems.  

Announced by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) on 14 July, the competition is specifically seeking ideas at a technology readiness level of one to two that may be used across the land, sea, and air environments.  

The competition is being run by UKDI on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) ‘Autonomy Programme Incubator’ project. The vision for this 2026-29 programme is to develop technologies that provide a “decisive operational advantage” from autonomy.   

What uncrewed technologies is the UK seeking?  

According to UKDI, applications for the competition should include ideas that are new to defence, although these technologies may be “known” in other sectors. Speculative or high-risk research with a basis in scientific theory is also welcome.  

UKDI is additionally inviting proposals that could give rise to entirely new types of capabilities or even threats, which the UK may need to counter in the future. 

For example, UKDI says that ideas may lead to improved: 

• Physical robotics
• Methods of managing, integrating, and using data
• System intelligence
• Wider interactions, such as system of systems coordination and robotic swarming
• System survivability 

Entering the competition   

The deadline to apply for the competition is 11 August. Selected companies will win a share of GBP1 million in funding to demonstrate whether their novel idea is technically feasible and produce early experimental evidence.  

UKDI highlights that, following the completion of contracts, technologies and ideas submitted in the competition may undergo further development through the Autonomy Programme Incubator. There is also the potential for the technologies to be exploited through UKDI, the Ministry of Defence, or frontline units.