United Kingdom Defense Technology

The UK Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are exploring telexistence technology to help identify gaps in UK defense to direct potential future investment by the MOD. This capability could be achieved by using a remotely operated avatar, which could rely on the integration of telepresence, robotics and haptic feedback.

The MOD is looking to understand the current maturity of telexistence technology which has emerged from the combination of three generic technology groupings: telepresence, robotics and haptics. Telexistence has been identified as a means by which skilled operatives can transfer their practice to a remote location. It can also be used to keep people safe by reducing the risks associated with physically operating in a hazardous environment.

The UK MOD aims to understand better the technological readiness levels of the components of telexistence systems in isolation and/or in combination (a system of systems) to inform future investment by the MOD. Solutions should allow a user to interact in a remote location as if he were physically there. 

The solution should:

• mitigate the risk associated with operating in hazardous environments;
• be tangibly demonstrated and must allow the operator to interact with the environment in real-time;
• include elements of artificial intelligence, but must permit the operator to remain in the loop.

Please visit the Telexistence Opportunity page and if you have any questions email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk with ”Telexistence” in the subject line.

For further information, contact our office in London at  office.london@trade.gov.