South West to Receive Up to £20 Million for Autonomous Technology Development

£20M Boost Could Transform South West Tech Future

Ground-breaking work in autonomous technology across the South West is set to receive up to £20 million in UK Government backing, with a focus on developing innovations such as drones across land, sea and air.

The funding, confirmed on Thursday 2nd April, forms part of the Government’s £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is designed to support regional strengths and help bring new technologies from concept through to real-world use.

Funding Aimed at Growth and Jobs

The investment is expected to support the South West in becoming one of the best places globally to develop and test autonomous technologies. Plans include improving access to test ranges, skills and facilities, as well as addressing regulatory barriers that can slow progress.

The region already has more than 1,000 jobs in robotics and autonomous systems. This latest funding aims to build on that base, helping to attract further private investment, grow exports and strengthen infrastructure linked to areas such as offshore energy and subsea assets.

It also forms part of a wider £86 billion research and development settlement running until 2030.

Backing Local Strengths

Local partners will now work alongside UK Research and Innovation to design projects that make the most of the region’s expertise. The focus will be on supporting collaborative research and development, speeding up the journey from prototype to market, and opening up access to investment and new markets.

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“It is a tribute to the pioneering spirit in every corner of our country that we are backing nations and regions across the UK to advance innovation in everything from defence to AI and clean energy to space tech.

“In the South West, this funding will help take autonomous technologies such as drones to the next level, building on local expertise to create jobs and drive growth.

“By working with local leaders, researchers, and businesses, we can unleash transformational research and products that improve lives.”

Building on a Strong Track Record

The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund builds on earlier programmes that have already attracted around £240 million in private investment and created hundreds of jobs across the UK.

Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, said:
“The South West has long been home to world class ingenuity and a proud tradition of delivering real impact from great ideas. UKRI is delighted to work with the Great South West Local Innovation Partnership as they accelerate bold plans to build on that legacy and drive the region’s next wave of innovation led growth.

“By bringing together the region’s researchers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders, we are strengthening the South West’s distinctive capabilities and championing its ambition on the national stage. This major investment will unlock new opportunities, boost productivity and create the high skilled jobs of the future. We’re excited at the prospect of achieving that together.”

Vision for a Global Leader in Autonomy

Adrian Dawson, Director of Strategic Project Development at the University of Plymouth, highlighted the growing demand for autonomous systems and the need for collaboration across sectors.

Adrian Dawson said:
“Over recent years, we have seen rapid expansion across the autonomy sector, in terms of technologies and applications as well as economic opportunities. However, the demand for autonomous systems and solutions is only going to increase and meeting that demand will require collaborative working across industry, innovation, academia and government.

This initiative will enable the South West to build on its existing expertise across land, sea and air and our vision is for it to become the world’s foremost region in the global autonomy market, driving transformational growth in autonomous systems that have wide-ranging defence and dual-use applications.”

Part of a UK-Wide Investment

The South West is one of several regions across England and Wales selected for this round of funding. In total, ten regions across the UK have already received £360 million through the scheme, including areas such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and Glasgow City Region.

The programme continues to support partnerships between local government, businesses and research organisations, aiming to drive innovation that creates jobs and delivers practical benefits for communities.