The UK government is expanding support for robotics and automation in 2026, with a particular focus on helping businesses and public services put practical technologies to work. New Robotics Adoption Hubs announced on 9 October 2026 will help organisations explore, test and integrate robotic systems in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and recycling.

The new network forms part of the wider Robotics Adoption Programme, which has a total budget of £52 million for the period from April 2026 to March 2030. The government announcement confirms £40 million of backing for the network of hubs, which will provide specialist advice, practical demonstrations and connections to technology suppliers and finance providers.

For healthcare, the programme includes support for the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery. In farming, it includes work on automated fruit picking and other agricultural technologies. However, businesses should understand the distinction between receiving support from an adoption hub and obtaining a direct grant. The hubs help organisations adopt robotics, but their existence does not mean that every business can claim a cash grant automatically.

Official announcement: Brits to benefit from faster recovery from surgeries and better harvests through new backing for robotics.

1. What is the UK Robotics Adoption Programme?

The Robotics Adoption Programme is a UK initiative designed to help organisations move from considering robotics to using it in real working environments. It focuses on adoption, practical implementation, productivity, safety and business growth.

The programme is supported by Innovate UK and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology. It brings together regional hubs, a national coordination function and projects intended to improve robotics skills.

Robotics can include industrial machines, autonomous service robots, drones operating on land, sea or air, and automated equipment using sensors, actuators and control software. Software-only systems without a robotics or hardware element are outside the programme definition described by UK Research and Innovation.

Rather than focusing exclusively on early-stage scientific research, the hubs are intended to help organisations understand practical uses, assess costs, test technologies and plan implementation. Businesses can use this support to identify whether automation is suitable for their operations before committing to major expenditure.

Official programme information: UKRI Robotics Adoption Programme.

2. How much robotics funding is available in 2026?

The wider Robotics Adoption Programme has a budget of £52 million covering April 2026 to March 2030. This programme includes the regional adoption hubs, national coordination and skills development work.

The government announcement on 9 October 2026 confirmed £40 million for the new hub network. The programme also includes £1.7 million for a national convening body, known as AURA, to connect the hubs and share knowledge, and £2.5 million for 12 robotics skills and training projects.

These figures describe different parts of the wider programme and should not be treated as separate pots of money that any individual applicant can automatically claim. Funding for a specific project depends on the relevant competition, award terms or support arrangements.

3. Healthcare robotics: What projects are being supported?

Healthcare is one of the areas covered by the new robotics adoption network. The government has highlighted robotic-assisted surgery as an example of technology that may help clinicians perform procedures with greater precision and potentially support less invasive treatment.

Robotic systems do not replace clinical responsibility. Their use requires appropriate clinical oversight, safety processes, staff training, evidence and integration with existing healthcare services.

The National Surgical Robotic Adoption Hub, known as SHARP, is intended to accelerate safe and effective adoption of surgical robotics. Its focus includes evidence-based implementation and improving access to innovative surgical care.

Examples of healthcare robotics applications

• Robotic-assisted surgical systems used by trained clinical teams.
• Robotic equipment that supports hospital logistics and internal transport.
• Automation for selected repetitive operational tasks in healthcare facilities.
• Robotic technologies that may support safer workflows or more efficient use of staff time.
• Testing and evaluation of robotics before wider implementation in healthcare environments.

These are examples of potential applications, not a guarantee that each type of project will receive funding. Healthcare organisations and technology companies should discuss their specific needs with the relevant hub and check any published funding competition requirements.

4. Farming robotics: Support for agricultural technology

Agriculture and food production are important parts of the robotics initiative. Farms face operational pressures including labour availability, harvesting schedules, productivity, crop management and resource efficiency. Automation may help address some of these challenges when it is suitable for the crop, farm and working environment.

The government has highlighted automated fruit-picking machines as an example of robotics that can reduce the time needed for harvesting. Such equipment may also allow agricultural workers to focus on other activities across the farm.

The HARVEST Robotics Adoption Hub, based in Lincoln, focuses on the agri-food sector. Its testbeds cover arable farming, fruit, vegetables and food manufacturing.

Examples of farming technologies

• Robotic fruit-picking and harvesting systems.
• Automated crop monitoring and management equipment.
• Robotics for selected planting, handling and production activities.
• Automation technologies for horticulture and controlled growing environments.
• Robotic systems used in food processing and other agri-food operations.

Farmers and agri-tech businesses can use adoption support to assess whether a technology is practical, what equipment and training may be required, and how implementation could affect productivity and operating costs. A hub consultation does not itself guarantee a grant or payment for buying machinery.

Official farming robotics competition information: Farming Futures R&D Fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2.

5. What are Robotics Adoption Hubs?

Robotics Adoption Hubs are specialist centres or networks that help organisations identify and implement appropriate robotics technology. They are intended to reduce barriers for businesses and public services that may not have the expertise or resources to evaluate complex automation systems independently.

Depending on the hub, support can include:

• Independent advice on the benefits, costs and practical requirements of robotics.
• Help identifying technologies that match an organisation operational needs.
• Demonstrations and opportunities to see systems working in realistic environments.
• Connections to technology suppliers, system integrators and finance providers.
• Support with feasibility assessment and planning for adoption.
• Workforce training and access to specialist knowledge.

The support offered by individual hubs can vary according to their sector and region. Organisations should check the relevant hub information before assuming that a particular service, trial or demonstration is available.

6. List of the eight new Robotics Adoption Hubs

The government announcement on 9 October 2026 identified eight new hubs with different regional or industry priorities.

The hubs are intended to build on regional expertise and existing facilities rather than requiring every organisation to develop its own robotics testing infrastructure. Businesses should contact the relevant hub to establish its services and participation arrangements.

Official source: Government announcement listing the eight Robotics Adoption Hubs.

7. Who can benefit from the robotics support?

The programme is designed to help organisations that want to understand, trial or integrate robotics. Potential beneficiaries may include businesses, manufacturers, agricultural technology developers, healthcare organisations and public services, depending on the support provided by the relevant hub.

Organisations that may wish to explore the programme include:

• UK businesses considering automation to improve productivity.
• Agri-tech companies developing robots for farming or horticulture.
• Healthcare organisations exploring surgical or operational robotics.
• Manufacturers assessing the feasibility of robotic production systems.
• Technology developers looking for real-world demonstration or adoption partners.
• Public services considering robotics for logistics, recycling or transport.

This is a description of potential users rather than a universal eligibility list for grant funding. Specific financial awards and competitions have their own applicant rules, project requirements, deadlines and assessment processes.

8. Is a direct grant available for robotics projects?

The October 2026 announcement is primarily about the rollout of Robotics Adoption Hubs and associated support. It does not establish an open application through which every company, farmer or healthcare provider can claim a share of the entire £40 million hub allocation.

Separate competitive funding opportunities may support research, development, skills or particular technology projects. Applicants should read the official competition page carefully to determine whether it is open, whether applications are collaborative, what costs are eligible and when projects must start.

The UK Research and Innovation programme page lists previous opportunities related to robotics adoption, including hubs, national coordination and skills development. Some listed competitions have already closed. Always check the status shown on the official application page before preparing a proposal.

Useful link: Robotics Adoption Programme funding opportunities.

9. Farming Futures R&D Fund: The £20 million robotics competition

A separate farming-focused funding opportunity opened on 3 August 2026 under the Farming Futures R&D Fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2. It offered up to £20 million for collaborative projects developing innovative automation and robotics in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

The competition was intended to support practical solutions addressing sector challenges such as productivity, resource efficiency, food quality and traceability, waste, crop and animal health, animal welfare and sustainability.

The official competition page records a closing date of 30 September 2026 at 11am UK time. As of 11 October 2026, this application round is closed. The published timetable states that applicants are due to be invited to interview from 30 October 2026, with applicant notifications scheduled for 1 December 2026 and project starts by 1 March 2027.

Businesses interested in future agricultural robotics funding should monitor Innovate UK and the Farming Innovation Programme for new rounds. They should not assume that the closed competition is accepting late applications.

10. How to explore support for a healthcare or farming robotics project

Organisations interested in robotics can begin by defining the operational problem they want to solve. A clear description of the task, current costs, safety requirements and expected outcomes can help identify the most relevant support route.

1. Define the problem. Identify the task, process or service where robotics may provide a measurable improvement.
2. Describe the proposed technology. Explain the hardware, automation equipment, sensors, robots or autonomous systems involved.
3. Estimate the practical benefits. Consider productivity, safety, quality, time savings, labour requirements and operating costs.
4. Identify the relevant hub. Use the official programme announcement to find the hub whose sector or regional focus best matches the project.
5. Ask about support options. Confirm whether the hub offers advice, demonstrations, feasibility support, supplier connections or other services relevant to the proposal.
6. Check for a live funding competition. Review the official Innovate UK or UKRI application page and confirm the current status before applying.
7. Prepare project evidence. Where a competition is open, gather the required partner details, budget, delivery plan, technical evidence and expected outcomes.

For clinical technologies, the project should also consider patient safety, clinical governance, staff training, procurement and any applicable regulatory requirements. Agricultural projects should assess field conditions, crop requirements, maintenance, seasonal operations and the suitability of the technology for the intended farm environment.

11. What documents may be needed for a separate grant application?

There is no single document checklist that applies to every robotics competition. Requirements depend on the funding body and the specific application route.

For a competitive research, development or adoption project, applicants may be asked for some of the following information:

• Details of the applicant organisation and its UK registration where required.
• A project proposal explaining the problem, solution and innovation.
• Partner information for collaborative projects.
• A project budget and breakdown of eligible costs.
• A delivery schedule, milestones and project start date.
• Evidence of expected benefits and a plan for evaluating outcomes.
• Information about commercialisation, deployment or adoption.
• Relevant technical, safety, regulatory or workforce information.

Do not submit sensitive business information through unofficial websites. Use the official funding application service and follow the instructions for the specific competition.

12. What businesses should know before investing in robotics

Robotics can create opportunities, but adopting a system requires more than purchasing a machine. Organisations should evaluate the total cost of ownership and the conditions needed for successful deployment.

• Implementation costs: Installation, integration, equipment changes and testing may add to the purchase price.
• Training: Employees may need specialist instruction to operate, maintain or supervise the system.
• Safety: Risk assessments and appropriate safeguards are essential in workplaces and clinical environments.
• Reliability: Equipment should be tested under realistic operating conditions.
• Maintenance: Spare parts, servicing, technical support and downtime should be considered.
• Measurable value: Productivity improvements should be evaluated against the full cost of adoption.
• Funding conditions: Grant eligibility, matching requirements and permitted costs must be checked before committing expenditure.

The adoption hubs are intended to help organisations understand these practical issues and make better-informed decisions. Their advice and demonstrations can be useful before a business decides whether to invest in a particular robotics system.

13. Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

The UK Robotics Adoption Programme is creating new support routes for organisations that want to use automation in practical settings. The £52 million programme includes a network of adoption hubs, national coordination and skills development, while the £40 million hub announcement covers specialist support across sectors including healthcare and farming.

Healthcare organisations can explore support for surgical robotics through SHARP, while agricultural businesses may find relevant expertise through the HARVEST hub. The programme can help organisations assess technology, see demonstrations and plan implementation, but it should not be confused with a universal cash grant.

The separate £20 million Farming Futures Automation and Robotics Round 2 competition closed on 30 September 2026. Businesses seeking direct funding should check current official competitions and confirm that applications are open before preparing a proposal or making financial commitments.