About

The HMGCC Co-Creation Multi-Terrain Robotic Platforms Challenge (HMGCC-MTRP 2026) seeks innovative proof-of-concept robotic systems capable of operating across multiple mobility domains, including water, land, and air, to access environments that are difficult or impossible for conventional uncrewed systems to reach. The challenge focuses on demonstrating technologies that could support future robotic platforms operating discreetly within complex built environments, such as water infrastructure, confined ground spaces, stairwells, and elevated locations. Projects should achieve at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and demonstrate a robot operating in a minimum of two mobility domains while carrying a representative payload of at least 100g. Successful projects must deliver a final report outlining technical performance, limitations, and recommendations for future development. Desirable capabilities include operation across all three domains, autonomous navigation, operation in environments with intermittent GNSS availability, access to confined spaces, extended endurance of up to one hour, compact system volume below 0.01m³, and total mass below 1kg. The program provides funding of up to £60,000 (excluding VAT) per project for eligible development costs, including personnel, materials, overheads, and indirect expenses. Projects will be implemented over a 10-week period and are intended to establish technical feasibility and identify pathways for future capability development rather than deliver a fully operational end product.

Eligibility

Applications are open to sole innovators, private sector companies, academic institutions, and research organizations of any size. Applicants do not require security clearances to participate. Proposals will be assessed on their ability to deliver a credible proof-of-concept demonstration within the project timeframe, achieve at least TRL 4 validation, demonstrate mobility across at least two operational domains (water, land, or air), and provide clear evidence of technical performance, feasibility, limitations, and future development potential. Projects that demonstrate scalability, innovation, and relevance to the challenge objectives will be strongly considered.

Post Date: October 15, 2026