Robot Dexterity
Backed by £57m, this programme sits within the Smarter Robot Bodies opportunity space and aims to transform robotic capabilities and unlock a step change in human productivity.
Meet the R&D Creators
We're funding 26 teams with expertise across multiple disciplines and a strong institutional mix, spanning startups, university labs, public research institutions, and large companies. Together, they'll bridge the software-hardware gap in robotics, realising the full potential of more dexterous robots to advance human productivity and welfare.
*Some teams are subject to contract negotiation.
TA1 | Novel Hardware
Taking a co-design and co-delivery approach these teams will produce novel hardware components, manipulators (robot ‘hands’), and approaches for integrating hardware with control. They'll also test these in practice on important real-world problems.
UPWARD
Rich Walker, Shadow Robot Company
Biologically Inspired Manipulator for Adaptive Handling and Interaction
Jelizaveta Konstantinova + Graham Deacon, Ocado Technology
Democratising Co-Design of Hardware and Control for Robot Dexterity
Edward Johns, Imperial College London + Nathan Lepora, University of Bristol
GRIT: Generalisable Robot Intelligence in Tactile scenarios
Zaki Hussein, Touchlab
Ada-GO: Adaptive Global Optimisation for Co-Evolving Hardware and Policy Learning
Rika Antonova, University of Cambridge
A Million Hands Make Light Work
Jason Liu, Acuity Robotics
Generative Design of Dexterous Manipulators
Josie Hughes, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
OGRES
Rich Walker, Shadow Robot Company
Solution Partner for Robot Dexterity
Agata Suwala, Manufacturing Technology Centre
“We’re excited to work with ARIA – their support presents an excellent opportunity to connect cutting-edge robotics research directly with industry requirements. This will help us to address the urgent demand for innovation in multiple sectors.”
Three-Dimensional Force and Temperature Sensing Skins
Tawfique Hasan, University of Cambridge
R-ADA: A Rational Automated Design Agent
Zenna Tavares, Basis Research Institute
Computer-Aided Invention of Robot Manipulators Across Domains
Andrew Spielberg, MorphoAI
A New Analytical Framework for Developing Dexterous Soft Robotic Manipulators
Min Pan, University of Bath
SILA Miniaturisation (SAMI)
Graham Whiteley, Wavedrives Ltd
DEXTER – Simulation for Dexterous Manipulation
Michelle Lu + Kier Storey, Vsim
Scalable Tactile Sensing Based on Electrical Impedance Tomography for Dexterous Multi-tool Use
Fumiya Iida, University of Cambridge
Synthetic Muscles for Robotic Dexterity
Rodrigo Alvarez, Elysium Robotic
Romex: Robot Muscles as Dexterous Linear Actuators
Guggi Kofod, Pliantics
"From an agile funding process and a unique collaborative strategy, to now having opportunities to collaborate with Activation Partners, being part of the ARIA universe is exciting and highly motivating for me and my team."
Printed Electronics Components – a new toolbox for the dexterous robot
Zlatka Stoeva, DZP Technologies Ltd
The ARTHUR Hand
Udayan Bulchandani, Arthur Robotics Ltd
Sangtera Joint Actuator
Tairan Wang, Sangtera, Jakub Kedzierski, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, + Chia-Chun Chung, Cadence Process Consulting
Pneumatic Overbraided Actuating / Manipulator Components
Michael Newsam, Stellar Advanced Concepts Ltd
MagTecSkin: Novel tactile sensitive electronic skin based on magnetic technology
Lorenzo Jamone, University College London
DexComp
Marc Funnell, National Composites Centre
Realising the Future of Dexterous Robotics with Flexible Electrohydraulic Artificial Muscles
Nicholas Kellaris, Artimus Robotics
Variably Constrained Drives for Muscle-like Electrical Actuators
Matt Mellor, Createc
"This programme is unique in how it encourages and actively facilitates collaboration amongst Creators at all levels of development, from fundamental hardware to the simulation, integration, and validation of full solutions. We're thrilled to join this multi-level and cross-disciplinary approach."
The Creator experience
What you can expect as an ARIA R&D creator.
Applicant guidance
Discover the process of applying for ARIA funding and find key resources.