Categories

This category is open to solution providers, small companies or start-ups across the robotics and automation value chain that employ fewer than 50 people and are less than three years old. This award seeks to recognise new, innovative and disruptive forces in the robotics sector and the outstanding work done by smaller and less resource-rich organisations, which form a vital part of the industry and drive innovation in the sector. Solution providers may apply without and end-user partner. 

This category is open to any person under 25 working with robotic or automated systems that has not completed a graduate or post-graduate degree in their related field. Those who have completed apprenticeships, practical examinations or short online or in-person courses are encouraged to apply. Entrants, or those nominating an entrant, need to demonstrate why the candidate has shown innovation or excellence in their work and made positive contributions to an organisation and/or the wider sector.

This category is open to any organisation, research institution or research team that can demonstrate an innovative use of robotics or automation for applications in the aerospace industry. Entrants must be able to show the organisational or wider sector benefits of their work. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation that can show innovative application of industrial robotic or automated solutions. Entrants must show how use of such solutions has led to gains in productivity and efficiency, cost savings or other improvements to overall operations. Any end-user organisation that uses robotics or automation technologies for industrial applications may apply. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation that has implemented artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-powered technologies into its operations in a way that is innovative, improves efficiency or is otherwise beneficial to the organisation or the sector. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.       

This category is open to any organisation that either uses robotics or automated systems within its processes or develops and/or integrates robotic or automated solutions for application in construction. Entrants need to demonstrate expertise in the use, integration or development of robotics or automated construction systems. Solution providers may apply on the condition they submit their entry with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation that can show innovative application of robotic or automated solutions in the public or private healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical sectors. Entrants must show how use of such solutions has led to gains in productivity and efficiency, cost savings or other improvements to overall operations, such as staff wellbeing or environmental benefit. Any end-user organisation in the healthcare, pharmaceutical or medical fields may apply. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation, research institution or research team that can demonstrate an innovative use of robotics or automation for applications in the aerospace industry. Entrants must be able to show the organisational or wider sector benefits of their work. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation, research institution or research team that can demonstrate an innovative use of robotics or automation for defence or security applications. Applications include, but are not limited to, surveillance, logistics, communications, transportation of people in dangerous environments or armoured vehicles. Entrants must be able to show the wider societal benefits of their solution. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation using robotic or automated technologies to transport people or goods of any kind. Entrants must demonstrate innovative use of one of the following within their transportation processes: fully or partially autonomous systems; fully or partially automated systems; and/or robotic systems. This could include AMRs, AGVs and/or connected or autonomous vehicles (including drones). Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation that can demonstrate how its use of robotics and/or automation has been innovative or has enhanced productivity, efficiency gains or cost savings within a manufacturing environment in an outstanding way. Any end-user organisation in the manufacturing sector may apply. Solution providers may apply on the condition they enter with an end-user partner

This category is open to any organisation, research institution or research team that can demonstrate an innovative use of robotics or automation for application in an offshore environment, including but not limited to facility inspection, maintenance, energy sourcing or marine research/preservation. Candidates must be able to show the wider organisational or sector benefits of their work/solution. Solution providers may apply on the condition they submit their entry with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any organisation using robotic or automated technologies within their operational and corporate processes that can demonstrate how innovative use of robotic or automated solutions can lead to a positive or improved environmental impact for their organisation. This can include promoting biodiversity, reducing energy consumption or cutting carbon emissions. Solution providers may apply on the condition they submit their entry with an end-user partner.

This category is open to any research project from a team, research institution or university (beginning on or after 01 January 2022) that involves the use of the following technologies in an innovative way that has led or could lead to wider sector and societal benefits: robots, cobotics, automated systems, connected systems, autonomous systems, 5G-enabled technology, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), machine vision, machine learning, visual or augmented reality or any other technologies that automate manual processes or involve use of robotic components. Entrants do not need to apply in conjunction with an end-user partner.