Robot Dexterity
ARIA is an R&D funding agency built to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We empower scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of what is technologically or scientifically possible. We will reach across disciplines, sectors and institutions to shape, fund and manage projects across the R&D ecosystem, from startups to universities, to break down silos and discover new pathways. We are looking for proposals for our Precision Neurotechnologies for Human Therapeutics programme. For more info see here https://www.aria.org.uk/robot-dexterity/
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Contents
Summary
Why this programme
Breakthroughs in AI are transforming robotic abilities, but compared to staggering advances in computation, the development of robot bodies has stalled in recent decades. Today, robots cannot achieve the flexibility, speed and precision of human manipulation, rendering them useless for many of the difficult or dangerous tasks where we need them most.The need to improve robot dexterity comes at a critical time. The proportion of the world’s population aged 65+ is set to triple by 2100, while labour deficits for physically demanding work are set to increase.Robots have the potential to ease these labour shortages and boost prosperity – advanced robotics with dexterous manipulation could add an estimated 4% to global productivity – but to do so we must close the gap between what robots and humans can handle.
What we’re shooting for
Just as biological bodies and nervous systems evolved together, this programme will aim to exploit advanced simulation to learn the optimal design for a robot body at the same time as optimal control. Our goal: to release the bottlenecks in robotic dexterity, demonstrating a paradigm-shift in robotic abilities and creating vastly more capable and useful machines. For more information, see here.
Eligibility
Eligibility crtieria can be found in the programme call documents on ARIA's website here.
Objectives
See ARIA website for more detail here.
Dates
Detailed timelines can be found in the programme call information on ARIA's website here. The application process for Technical Area 1 consists of two stages:
Submission of a concept paper - At this stage and based on your concept paper, you will either be encouraged/ discouraged to submit a full proposal. If you receive feedback indicating that you are not encouraged to submit a full proposal you can still choose to submit a full proposal. You should note that this preliminary assessment/encouragement provides no guarantee of any full proposal being selected for award of funding.
The deadline for submission of concept papers is 24 July 2024 (12:00 BST).
Submission of a full proposal - the deadline for submission of full proposals is 19 September 2024 (12:00 BST).
How to apply
See ARIA's website here.
Supporting information
The total funding value is the estimated budget available. We expect to fund multiple applicants.The maximum individual award figure is an estimate only. Funding is anticipated to be awarded via both contracts and grants. For more information on how we fund, see here.